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Bulgarian ID card (лична карта): how to apply

The лична карта is the primary identity document for Bulgarian citizens, and almost no administrative procedure in the country starts without it. Applications are taken at the identity documents units of the regional police directorates (ОДМВР/СДВР) under the Ministry of Interior. The card foreign residents carry is legally something else — confusing the two is the single most common mistake.

Official documents and institutions · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16

Who the card is issued to

Only Bulgarian citizens receive a лична карта, including people who acquired citizenship by naturalisation. The applicant must have a personal number (ЕГН) in the civil registry and a registered permanent address. Children become subject to the obligation to hold a document from a certain age, and applications for minors require parental or guardian consent — the specifics are published in the Ministry's own service description.

How the application runs

  1. Settle the permanent address

    The address printed on the card is the one registered with the municipality (община). If the registration is missing or outdated, it is corrected at the municipality before you apply.

  2. Book and file

    You apply at the identity documents unit; in many regions appointments can be booked online. Fingerprints and a signature specimen are captured on site, so a first application requires you in person.

  3. Pay the fee

    The fee depends on the processing speed you choose. Check the current tariff and payment channels on the Ministry's service page — no figure is quoted here because the tariff changes.

  4. Collect the card

    Collection is at the unit where you applied or at another point you nominated. Whether a proxy may collect it, and under what conditions, should be asked when filing.

Documents usually requested

  • The previous card, or a loss/theft declaration if it is gone.
  • A birth certificate or proof of citizenship for first-time applications and where registry data is incomplete.
  • A photograph, usually taken on site; confirm at booking whether a separate photo is needed.
  • For minors, consent from a parent or guardian and evidence of who exercises parental rights.

Why residents who are not citizens get a different card

Foreign nationals living in Bulgaria do not receive a лична карта. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens hold a residence registration certificate; third-country nationals hold a residence permit card (разрешение за пребиваване). Both work for identification at authorities and banks, but neither proves citizenship, and the consequences differ for voting rights, passport entitlement and access to certain public posts.

Report loss or theft immediately

A lost or stolen ID card must be reported to the police. Without a report no replacement is issued, and liability becomes contested if the document is misused. The Ministry publishes the reporting procedure and deadline.

This is not legal or financial advice

This page explains the process in general terms and points to the official sources of the competent authorities. For decisions specific to your own situation, consult a lawyer, an accountant or the relevant institution. Rules and amounts change over time.

Frequently asked questions

I hold a residence permit — can I apply for a лична карта?

Not unless you are a Bulgarian citizen. A residence permit and an ID card belong to different legal categories; the status changes only if citizenship is acquired.

Does the card have to be reissued when I move?

Yes, once the permanent address printed on it no longer matches the registered one. Update the address registration at the municipality first, then apply to the Ministry of Interior.

Can I travel on the ID card alone?

Within the EU and EEA the Bulgarian ID card is accepted as a travel document. Outside that area a passport is required, and destination rules should be verified with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.

Sources

The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.

  1. Министерство на вътрешните работи (МВР) — https://www.mvr.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  2. Единен портал за достъп до електронни административни услуги (eGov) — https://egov.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  3. ГД „Гражданска регистрация и административно обслужване“ (ГРАО) — https://www.grao.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  4. Държавен вестник / правно-информационна система — https://www.lex.bg/ · 2026-08-16

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