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 as a result of EU Exit.

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Emergency help for British nationals

Get help if you're the victim of crime, you've been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad.

1. 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

2. Bulgaria: hospitalised abroad

   Information for British nationals in Bulgarian hospitals, including how the British embassy can help.

3. Bulgaria: in prison abroad

   Information on Bulgaria's legal and prison systems for British prisoners, their family and friends.

4. Compensation for victims of terrorist attacks abroad

   Compensation for terrorist attacks abroad - eligibility, acts of terrorism covered, application form, helpline

5. 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

6. Get help if you're a victim of crime abroad

   Contact the nearest British embassy, commission or consulate to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad

7. Help if you're arrested abroad

   Find out what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can do to help if you or someone you know is arrested abroad.

8. Rape and sexual assault abroad: returning to the UK

   Information for British nationals affected by rape or sexual assault abroad and returning to the UK, including how to access medical treatment and legal advice in the UK.

9. Rape and sexual assault in Bulgaria: information for victims

   Information for British nationals who are victims of rape and sexual assault in Bulgaria.

10. 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 and Commonwealth Office (FCO) can provide.

Brexit

Latest information and guidance on the UK exiting the EU.

1. Continue to live in the UK after it leaves the EU

   Most EU citizens will need to apply to continue living in the UK after it leaves the EU. Use this tool to find out what you need to do and when.

2. Exiting the European Union

   Information about the UK's departure from the European Union.

3. Settled and pre-settled status for EU citizens and their families

   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.

4. UK nationals living in the EU: essential information

   Information on the rights and status of UK nationals living in the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Area (EFTA), and Switzerland.

Passports and emergency travel documents

Includes how to cancel a lost passport, renew a passport and apply for an emergency travel document.

1. 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

2. 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.

3. Get an emergency travel document

   Apply for an emergency travel document if you're outside the UK and haven't got a valid British passport - apply online, how to apply, fee, timings

4. 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

Includes travel advice and how to get married abroad.

1. Apply for a European Health Insurance Card

   Apply for or renew your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online.

2. Bulgaria travel advice

   Latest travel advice for Bulgaria including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

3. Bulgaria: local information guide (Burgas)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, police, public transport and accommodation in Burgas.

4. Bulgaria: local information guide (Plovdiv)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Plovdiv.

5. Bulgaria: local information guide (Sofia)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Sofia.

6. Bulgaria: local information guide (Varna)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Varna.

7. Getting married abroad

   Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

8. 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

Get a visa to study, work or visit the UK.

1. Check if you need a UK visa

   You may need a visa to come to the UK to visit, study or work.

2. Contact UK Visas and Immigration about your application

   How to contact UK visas and immigration (UKVI) from inside and outside the UK.

3. 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

Guidance on EU Exit changes, accessing healthcare, getting a document legalised, English-speaking lawyers and how to vote abroad.

1. Apply for a European Health Insurance Card

   Apply for or renew your free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online.

2. Bulgaria travel advice

   Latest travel advice for Bulgaria including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health

3. Bulgaria: doctors

   List of English-speaking medical facilities in Bulgaria.

4. Bulgaria: lawyers

   Lists of English-speaking lawyers for British nationals in Bulgaria.

5. Bulgaria: local information guide (Plovdiv)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Plovdiv.

6. Bulgaria: local information guide (Sofia)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Sofia.

7. Bulgaria: local information guide (Varna)

   Information about emergency services, healthcare, safety, public transport and accommodation in Varna.

8. 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.

9. Bulgaria: translators

   List of translators and interpreters for British nationals in Bulgaria.

10. Buying property in Bulgaria

    Advice for British people buying property in Bulgaria, including information on legal advice, fraud, residence requirements and more.

11. Get your document legalised

    Use the online service to get a UK document legalised

12. Living in Bulgaria

    Official information British people moving to and living in Bulgaria need to know, including EU Exit guidance, residency, healthcare and driving.

13. 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 FCO can provide.

14. 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

15. Voting when you’re abroad

    How to vote if you're going to be abroad temporarily on election day, and what to do if you're moving overseas long term

Tax, benefits, pensions and working abroad

Includes how to pay tax, claim State Pension and get tax credits abroad.

1. 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

2. Moving or retiring abroad

   What you need to know if you move or retire abroad - tax, pensions, voting and contacting your local council

3. National Insurance if you go abroad

   Contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to find out if you need to pay National Insurance when you work abroad

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Work in another EU country

   UK citizens can work in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland without a work permit - where you can work, your rights, protection for posted workers and National Insurance payments

Birth, death and marriage abroad

Includes how to get married, list of funeral directors and how to register a birth abroad.

1. Bulgaria bereavement: death abroad

   Information to help the family and friends of British nationals who have died in Bulgaria.

2. Bulgaria: funeral directors

   List of English-speaking funeral directors for British nationals abroad in Bulgaria.

3. Bulgaria: letter of no objection to adoption

   This letter is relevant to British nationals not habitually resident in the UK and seeking to adopt a child through Bulgarian courts.

4. Bulgaria: marriage documents

   Certificate of no impediment (CNI) and notice of marriage (NoM) application forms for marriage in Bulgaria.

5. Getting married abroad

   Requirements, paperwork and processes for weddings and civil partnerships overseas - registration, restrictions, fees

6. 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

7. Surrogacy overseas

   Information for British nationals who are considering entering into surrogacy arrangements in foreign countries.

8. 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

9. 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

Find out about the UK government's diplomatic, security and development work in Bulgaria.

1. Bulgaria and the UK

   Updates, news and events from the UK government in Bulgaria

Trade and invest

Includes investing and setting up a business in the UK and doing business in Bulgaria.

1. Business investment in the UK: Guidance for overseas businesses

   Guidance on why overseas companies should set up and locate their businesses in the UK. Includes information on UK business investment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities.

2. 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.

3. Overseas Business Risk - Bulgaria

   Information on key security and political risks which UK businesses may face when operating in Bulgaria.

4. 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

Includes contact details, opening hours and consular fees and local services.

1. 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

2. Bulgaria: consular fees

   List of fees for consular services in Bulgaria.

3. 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.