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British Embassy Sofia
The British Embassy in Bulgaria maintains and develops relations between the UK and Bulgaria. Our work covers a range of issues including the economy, energy policy, justice and home affairs and international security
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Bulgaria: hospitalised abroad
Information for British nationals in Bulgarian hospitals, including how the British embassy can help.
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Bulgaria: in prison abroad
Information on Bulgaria's legal and prison systems for British prisoners, their family and friends.
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Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad
Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline
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Compensation if you're a victim of crime abroad
If you're a UK resident and have been injured because of a violent crime abroad, you can usually apply for compensation
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Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad
Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad
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Help if you’re arrested abroad
Find out what the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.
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Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK
Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.
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Rape and sexual assault in Bulgaria: information for victims
Information for British nationals who are victims of rape and sexual assault in Bulgaria.
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What to do if you’re affected by a crisis overseas
Advice for British nationals affected by crises abroad, including terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major political unrest, and information on what help the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.
UK help and services in Bulgaria
Services if you're visiting, studying, working or living in Bulgaria. Includes information about trading with and doing business in the UK and Bulgaria, and your rights after the UK’s exit from the EU.
Subscriptions
Subscribe to feed
Emergency help for British nationals
Transition period
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Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
The EU Settlement Scheme for EU citizens and their families to remain in the UK after it leaves the EU ('Brexit'): who's eligible, how to apply, how much it costs.
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Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
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Living in Europe
Information for UK nationals living in the EU, EEA EFTA, Switzerland and Ireland before 1 January 2021, including guidance on residency and healthcare.
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Visiting the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
What to prepare for travel the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein from 1 January 2021.
Passports and emergency travel documents
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Apply for or renew a British passport if you're visiting the UK
You can apply for or renew a British passport while you're visiting the UK - as long as you expect to be in the UK for long enough
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Cancel a lost or stolen passport
What you need to do if your passport has been lost or stolen and you need to travel urgently - emergency travel document and replacement passport.
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Get an emergency travel document
Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and have not got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings
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Overseas British passport applications
Renew, replace or apply for an adult or child British passport if you’re living abroad or working overseas - forms, prices, how long it takes
Travelling to Bulgaria
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Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Applying for your free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): who can apply and where you can use them.
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Bulgaria travel advice
Latest travel advice for Bulgaria, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK.
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Bulgaria: local information guide (Burgas)
Information about emergency services, healthcare, police, public transport and accommodation in Burgas.
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Bulgaria: local information guide (Plovdiv)
Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Plovdiv.
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Bulgaria: local information guide (Sofia)
Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Sofia.
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Bulgaria: local information guide (Varna)
Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Varna.
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Getting married abroad
Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees
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Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
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Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad
How to minimise your risk and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.
Coming to the UK
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Check if you need a UK visa
You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.
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Contact UK Visas and Immigration for help
How to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help with your application or immigration account, from inside and outside the UK.
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Get your visa, immigration or citizenship documents back
Get your documents returned if you've made a UK visa, immigration or citizenship application but need them back urgently
Living in Bulgaria
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Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
Applying for your free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): who can apply and where you can use them.
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Bulgaria travel advice
Latest travel advice for Bulgaria, including how to stay safe during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and information on returning to the UK.
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Bulgaria: doctors
List of English-speaking medical facilities in Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria: lawyers
Lists of English-speaking lawyers for British nationals in Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria: notarial and documentary services
How someone in Bulgaria can get documents certified, united or legalised, have a document prepared in English or the local language and view informative notes.
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Bulgaria: translators
List of translators and interpreters for British nationals in Bulgaria.
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Buying property in Bulgaria
Advice for British people buying property in Bulgaria, including information on legal advice, fraud, residence requirements and more.
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Get your document legalised
Use the online service to get a UK document legalised.
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Healthcare for UK nationals living in Bulgaria
Summary: How to get state healthcare if you live, work or study in Bulgaria.
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Living in Bulgaria
Official information for UK nationals living in or moving to Bulgaria, including guidance on residency, healthcare and passports.
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Living in Europe
Information for UK nationals living in the EU, EEA EFTA, Switzerland and Ireland before 1 January 2021, including guidance on residency and healthcare.
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Support for British nationals abroad: A guide
This guide highlights some of the main ways you can help yourself stay safe abroad and what help the FCDO can provide.
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UK benefits if you’re going or living abroad
Find out what benefits you might be able to receive while you’re abroad and how to export them from the UK or claim them while abroad
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Voting if you move or live abroad
How to vote if you move or live abroad, including eligibility and registration
Tax, benefits, pensions and working abroad
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Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
Benefits you can claim if you go abroad and countries with social security arrangements with the UK
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Moving or retiring abroad
What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council
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National Insurance if you work abroad
Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad
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State Pension if you retire abroad
How to claim State Pension if you're overseas - payment, tax, change of circumstances - contact the International Pension Centre
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Tax credits if you leave or move to the UK
Tax credits if you live abroad, go travelling, are a cross-border worker or subject to immigration control
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Tax on foreign income
Find out whether you need to pay UK tax on foreign income - residence and ‘non-dom’ status, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice (including certificates of residence)
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Tax on your UK income if you live abroad
Find out whether you need to pay tax on your UK income while you're living abroad - non-resident landlord scheme, tax returns, claiming relief if you’re taxed twice, personal allowance of tax-free income, form R43
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Work in an EU country
Where you can work, your rights, healthcare, tax and National Insurance payments.
Birth, death and marriage abroad
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Bulgaria: bereavement: death abroad
Information to help the friends and family of British nationals who have died in Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria: funeral directors
List of English-speaking funeral directors for British nationals abroad in Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria: marriage documents
Certificate of no impediment (CNI) and notice of marriage (NoM) application forms for marriage in Bulgaria.
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Getting married abroad
Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees
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Register a birth abroad
Parents must register the birth in the country where the child was born - find out if you can also register the birth in the UK
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Surrogacy overseas
Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.
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What to do after someone dies
The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad
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What to do when someone dies: step by step
Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and manage financial issues.
News and events
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Bulgaria and the UK
Updates, news and events from the UK government in Bulgaria
Trade and invest
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Department for International Trade Bulgaria
DIT provides trade and investment services and practical support. We help UK companies succeed in Bulgaria, and Bulgarian companies set up and invest in the UK.
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Overseas Business Risk - Bulgaria
Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Bulgaria.
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Set up a business
What you need to do to start a business: choose a legal structure, see if you need licences and insurance, learn about reliefs and benefits
British embassy or high commission
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British Embassy Sofia
The British Embassy in Bulgaria maintains and develops relations between the UK and Bulgaria. Our work covers a range of issues including the economy, energy policy, justice and home affairs and international security
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Bulgaria: consular fees
List of fees for consular services in Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria: notarial and documentary services
How someone in Bulgaria can get documents certified, united or legalised, have a document prepared in English or the local language and view informative notes.