How to enrol a child in a nursery or kindergarten in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria's larger cities, applying to municipal nurseries and kindergartens happens through an electronic system, in ranking rounds on set dates. The Sofia Municipality system for 2026 is used as the example below; other municipalities may have their own ordinances (our assumption), so check the page of the municipality where you live.
Everyday life · Last reviewed: 2026-10-08
This is not legal or financial advice
Where the application is made
In Sofia, applying and ranking for municipal independent nurseries (СДЯ), kindergartens (ДГ) and preparatory groups in schools (ПГУ) takes place only through the municipality's «ИСОДЗ» information system. You do not have to go to the institution; if you have no internet access or trouble registering, you can ask the head of the institution to register the child in the system.
Age cohort and rounds
- A child applies with the cohort of their birth year; per Sofia's 2026 FAQ, applying with a different cohort is not allowed for September admission, and a cohort change is only possible once rounds enter the current mode and places are free.
- Children born in 2025 may apply with their cohort regardless of birth month; if ranked and enrolled, the head may keep the place for up to 60 days counted from mid-September. After that the place is declared free and the child cannot apply to that institution until the next school year's rounds.
- A child in a nursery group of a municipal kindergarten moves automatically to the next group in September; no new application is needed.
- In an independent nursery, children are discharged on 1 September of the year they turn 3 (the FAQ cites Ordinance 26/2008, article 2(2)); parents may also leave earlier.
Preparatory group and lack of places
The Sofia page states that attending a preparatory group is compulsory; parents of children who have not attended kindergarten apply to the school preparatory groups through the system, and the municipality says places are secured for all children of preparatory-group age. The calendar is published each year: for 2026 the first ranking took place in late May and later rounds are announced in the calendar section of the system. The FAQ also states that children of divorced or separated parents get no extra priority.
This page is not legal advice
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to visit the kindergarten to apply?
No. According to the Sofia page, applying and ranking take place only through the electronic system; if you have no internet access or have a registration problem, the head of the institution can also register the child.
My child is in a nursery; do I apply separately for kindergarten?
A child in the nursery group of a municipal kindergarten moves on automatically. Moving from an independent nursery to a kindergarten means taking part in the ranking.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Столична община — ИСОДЗ ПГУ и І клас: Общи въпроси, свързани с приема в СДЯ, ДГ и ПГУ (04.05.2026) — https://kg.sofia.bg/#/faq/96 · 2026-10-08
- Столична община — ИСОДЗ ПГУ и І клас: начална страница, календар и новини — https://kg.sofia.bg/#/home/ · 2026-10-08
- Столична община — Образование: прием в общински детски заведения — https://www.sofia.bg/bg/education · 2026-10-08
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