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.

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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, high commission, consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London to get help if you're the victim of crime abroad

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  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, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.

Transition period

Latest information and guidance on the UK exiting the EU.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

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 have not 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 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.

  2. 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.

  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. 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.

  9. 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 for help

    How to contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help with your application or immigration account, 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 your rights after the UK’s exit from the EU, accessing healthcare, getting a document legalised, English-speaking lawyers, how to vote abroad.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  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: 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.

  6. Bulgaria: translators

    List of translators and interpreters for British nationals in Bulgaria.

  7. Buying property in Bulgaria

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

  8. Get your document legalised

    Use the online service to get a UK document legalised.

  9. Healthcare for UK nationals living in Bulgaria

    Summary: How to get state healthcare if you live, work or study in Bulgaria.

  10. Living in Bulgaria

    Official information for UK nationals living in or moving to Bulgaria, including guidance on residency, healthcare and passports.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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

  14. 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

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 work 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 an EU country

    Where you can work, your rights, healthcare, tax 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 friends and family 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: marriage documents

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

  4. Getting married abroad

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

  5. 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

  6. Surrogacy overseas

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

  7. 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

  8. 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. 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.

  2. Overseas Business Risk - Bulgaria

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

  3. 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.