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Applying for a Bulgarian passport: where and how

Unlike the ID card, a Bulgarian passport is the document for travel beyond the EU and EEA, and it is issued only to Bulgarian citizens. Inside the country applications go to the identity documents units of the Ministry of Interior; abroad they go to Bulgarian embassies and consulates. The two channels do not behave the same way.

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

Applying inside Bulgaria

Applications inside the country are filed in person, because biometric data — fingerprints, signature and facial image — are captured on the spot. You need a registered permanent address and consistent civil registry data; if records conflict, the fix starts at the municipality, not at the police unit. Several processing speeds are offered, and the fee attached to each is published in the Ministry's service description rather than quoted here.

Applying from abroad

Bulgarian citizens living abroad apply at embassies and consulates general. A mission must be equipped to capture biometrics, so not every mission performs every service. Which mission offers which consular service, and how appointments are made, is announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Because the document itself is produced in Bulgaria, collection after an application abroad takes longer than a domestic one.

Passports for children

  • Consent from both parents is normally required; where one cannot attend, a notarised declaration is presented.
  • If parental rights are settled by a court decision, the decision itself — and a translation where needed — is submitted.
  • For a child born abroad, the birth must first be entered into the Bulgarian civil registers before a passport can be issued.
  • Taking a child out of the country with only one parent is a separate question; holding a passport does not by itself replace consent.

When the ID card is enough

Within the EU and EEA the Bulgarian ID card is accepted as a travel document. A passport is needed outside that area, for visa applications, and for many hotel and banking procedures in third countries. Bulgaria's entry into Schengen at air and sea borders on 31 March 2024 and at land borders on 1 January 2025 ended routine internal border checks, but it did not remove the duty to carry an identity document.

Check remaining validity before you travel

Many countries require a passport to stay valid for a defined period beyond the date of entry. That requirement differs per destination — verify it in the Foreign Ministry's travel information or an official source of the country you are visiting.

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

Can someone else file the application for me?

Not the filing itself — biometrics are captured in person. Collection through a proxy may be possible under conditions that should be confirmed when you apply.

I am a dual national. Which passport should I use to enter Bulgaria?

As a Bulgarian citizen you are expected to enter on your Bulgarian document. For how two passports are handled at the border, consult the Foreign Ministry's consular guidance.

Does an expired passport invalidate a valid visa in it?

Rules differ by issuing country, and a visa in an expired document often cannot be used on its own. Check the requirement with the authority that issued the visa before travelling.

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. Министерство на външните работи (МВнР) — https://www.mfa.bg/ · 2026-08-16
  3. Единен портал за електронни административни услуги (eGov) — https://egov.bg/ · 2026-08-16

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Applying for a Bulgarian passport: where and how | Bulgaristan.bg