On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Bulgaria LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Bulgaria country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Bulgaria COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Bulgaria.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Bulgaria is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Since 1993 Bulgaria has been both a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its 1967 Protocol. Bulgaria has also accepted the UN Statelessness Conventions.
Regionally, Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (EU). As such, it is subject to the EU framework on refugee protection, which is based upon the Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399), the Dubin Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 604/2013) and the Asylum Procedures Directive (Directive 2013/32/EU).
Because of coexistence of these two frameworks, Bulgaria has two different types of protection: (i) international protection – refugee status and humanitarian status, under EU law, granted by the State Agency for Refugees, and (ii) asylum, a national protection that may be granted by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The national protection of refugees in Bulgaria is based on its Constitution and ordinary laws. The Constitution guarantees the right to seek asylum and the right of non-discrimination. The Bulgarian Asylum and Refugees Law is the main national legislation dealing with refugees and asylum seekers, and it regulates the procedures of granting refugee status or subsidiary protection.
Legal aid organisations
Website
Address: Sofia 1000, Gurko Street 49А floor 3
Tel: +359 2 980 39 67 or +359 885 787 209
Email: hrlawyer@blhr.org
Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights is a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote the establishment and effective implementation of Bulgaria to international standards of legal protection of human rights.
The organisation provides legal assistance and strategic litigation related to specific, repeated violations of human rights as Bulgarian and international courts and revealing inconsistency of the Bulgarian legislation and case law with international standards.
Website
Address: 1 Uzundzhovska Str., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 981 3318 and +359 2 980 2049
Email: refunit@bghelsinki.org
Opening Hours: from 10:00 to 16:00.
The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit civil society organisation for defending fundamental human rights in the Republic of Bulgaria: political, civil, cultural, and social. It also offers legal aid to migrants and refugees in Bulgaria.
The programme for the legal protection of refugees and migrants has existed since 1994. It is mainly supported by UNHCR and works in cooperation with the State Agency for Refugees under the Council of Ministers, the General Directorate of Border Police, and the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior.
The programme offers legal advice, representation, and legal protection, participates in the development of modern refugee and migration policy in Bulgaria, promotes the successful integration of refugees in Bulgaria, and their dignified return to their countries of origin.
The programme offers free specialised legal consultations: representation in the course of the refugee procedure, professional and independent legal protection, protection before the court and other state institutions, assistance for successful integration, and support for voluntary repatriation.
Website
Address: 5B, Triaditsa Str., office 226, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 9810779
Email: voiceinbulgaria@gmail.com
Opening Hours: every Tuesday from 10.30 to 14.30.
The non-governmental organisation aims to guarantee the respect of the human dignity of migrants, refugees, foreigners, and to contribute to their empowerment and independence. Its mission is to promote and defend the rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups on the territory of Bulgaria, by providing legal aid and conducting advocacy.
The organisation provides pro bono legal consultations to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, as well representation in administrative and judicial proceedings at the national and European levels. They also provide free legal consultations and hold group information sessions for foreign nationals held in detention in Bulgaria.
Website
Facebook
Tel: +359 882873238 and +359 884334283
Email: office@farbg.eu
The Foundation for Access to Rights – FAR aims to guarantee access to rights in practice and effective protection against arbitrary deprivation of rights. This includes an individualized and holistic approach to each person’s case, at each stage of the settlement of his/her residence in Bulgaria, with the assistance of an interdisciplinary team of experts. You can request their assistance through this online form.
Website
Address: Bul. Knyaginya Maria Luiza No 114 B, Serdika, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 80 80 901
Email: sar@saref.government.bg
This national institution aids with applications for asylum and family reunification, which are examined in accordance with the Asylum and Refugee Act (Article 34 governs family reunification). All decisions about asylum and family reunification are subject to appeal under this Act. All other applications are governed by the Agency’s internal rules of procedure for granting protection.
Website
Address: 2, Pozitano SQUARE, Perform Business Center Building, 6th F, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: 359 2 98 02 453
Email: Bulso@unhcr.org
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Address: 1407 Sofia, 76 James Boucher Blvd., 3rd floor
Tel: +359 02/81 22 822
Email: sofcom@redcross.bg
Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) provides those in need humanitarian assistance of different kinds, such as support for refugee children and actions for integration of relocated and resetlled persons.
Website
Address: Sofia, Struma 1 Str.
Tel: +359 88 850 9837
Email: ivan.cheresharov@caritas-sofia.org
Caritas is a non-governmental organisation that operates in several locations throughout Bulgaria. The Integration centre “St. Anna” in Sofia, the Registration and Reception Centres of the State Agency for Refugees in Sofia and Harmanli are the main places of work for our team. During the war in Ukraine, we expanded our activities and places of support, opening humanitarian centres in Plovdiv and Burgas.
Website
Address: Sofia, 166 Kniaz Boris I blvd., 2nd floor, apt. 5
Tel: +359 2 981 93 00
Email: centrenadja@abv.bg
Nadja Centre is a psycho-social centre for help and support for people in need. Its specialised teams support victims of domestic violence, trafficking of human beings, child sexual abuse, and children at risk and their families.
Bulgaria LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria COI
Find Bulgaria Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated May 2023