Bulgaria (BG)

Get mandatory car insurance (Гражданска отговорност)

Third-party car liability insurance (ГО — Гражданска отговорност) is mandatory for all registered vehicles in Bulgaria. Driving without it: €205 fine + risk of vehicle impound.

Register with the NRA for tax purposes

Register as a taxpayer with the NRA. Employed persons are automatically registered by their employer. Self-employed, freelancers, and company directors must register independently. Required for filing tax returns, paying income tax, and accessing e-services.

Complete university enrolment

Complete your enrolment (записване) at your Bulgarian university. Pay any required fees. Obtain your student ID and access library and campus facilities.

Register with NHIF health insurance (НЗОК)

Health insurance is mandatory in Bulgaria. Employees are automatically enrolled by their employer. Self-employed and unemployed persons must register as self-insured and pay monthly contributions directly. Without health insurance, you pay full private rates for healthcare.

Register your dog and pay dog tax

All dogs in Bulgaria must be registered with the local municipality and owners must pay annual dog tax (данък за куче). Register within 30 days of arriving with your dog.

Register your address (Адресна регистрация)

You must register your permanent address (постоянен адрес) at the Rayonna Uprava (Районна управа) within 30 days of arrival. This gives you an official Bulgarian address, required for almost all subsequent steps including EGN issuance, banking, health insurance, and driving licence exchange.

Register as EU citizen (Регистрация на граждани на ЕС)

EU/EEA citizens planning to stay more than 3 months must register at the Migration Directorate and receive an EU registration certificate. This confirms your legal right to reside in Bulgaria and is required for many official purposes.

Register permanent address (постоянен адрес) at ESGRAON office

Foreign nationals with long-term residence permits must register a permanent address at the local ESGRAON office (population register) of the municipality. Required within 3 months. You receive an EGN (personal identification number) used for all official procedures.

Find and rent an apartment

Finding accommodation is the first major task. Sofia's rental market is active — good apartments in popular expat areas (Lozenets, Izgrev, Centre) are taken quickly. Furnished apartments are standard for expats.

Register your pet microchip in the Bulgarian Veterinary Agency database

All dogs and cats must be microchipped and registered in the national BABH database (Bulgarian Food Safety Agency). Registration is done through an accredited veterinarian. EU pet passport required for animals arriving from abroad. Unregistered pets can result in fines up to €256.

Obtain your EGN / LNCH (Personal ID Number)

The EGN (Единен граждански номер — for EU citizens and Bulgarian residents) or LNCH (Личен номер на чужденец — for non-EU citizens) is your Bulgarian personal identification number. Required for: bank accounts, health insurance, employment, tax registration, and all official interactions. EU citizens receive EGN automatically upon address registration.

Pay annual property tax and waste fee (if owner)

Property owners in Bulgaria must pay annual property tax (данък сгради) and municipal waste collection fee (такса смет). Pay by 31 March for a 5% discount, or by 30 June without discount.

Purchase motorway vignette (Винетка) if driving

If you drive on Bulgarian motorways, you must have a valid annual or short-term vignette (electronic, since 2019). Driving without a vignette on a motorway: fine of €153.

Purchase annual motorway vignette (винетка) and register vehicle

All vehicles on Bulgarian national roads require annual e-vignette: cars €49.60/year (2026). Purchase online at bgtoll.bg or at toll booths/petrol stations. Non-registered foreign vehicles must be re-registered after 6 months of residency.

Complete move-in handover protocol

Before moving into your apartment, conduct a detailed inspection and complete a written handover protocol (протокол за предаване). Photograph every room, note all damage, record meter readings. Both you and the landlord sign the protocol.

Register child for kindergarten (Детска градина)

Register your 3–6 year old for municipal kindergarten. Municipal kindergartens are subsidised (€41–92/month). Waitlists can be 6–12 months in Sofia — register immediately on arrival.

Notify home country pension provider of move to Bulgaria

If receiving a pension from your home country, notify your pension provider of your new Bulgarian address immediately. Ensure payments can reach your Bulgarian bank account.

Register with a GP (Личен лекар)

Every NHIF-insured person must register with a personal physician (личен лекар) — your primary healthcare entry point. Your GP issues referrals, sick notes, and prescriptions. Without a registered GP, accessing the public healthcare system is difficult.

Register your pet with a local vet

Find a local vet and register your pet. Update vaccinations if needed and ensure microchip is registered in the Bulgarian national pet database.

Open a Bulgarian bank account

Open a Bulgarian bank account for salary payments, rent, utilities, and daily transactions. A Bulgarian IBAN is required by many employers and landlords. Neo-banks (Revolut, Wise) are available immediately but some official purposes require a local bank account.

Get a Bulgarian SIM card

A Bulgarian phone number is required for bank accounts, many apps, delivery services, and daily communication. Get a SIM card on or shortly after arrival.

Set up home broadband internet

Sign up for home fiber internet. Bulgaria has some of the fastest and cheapest internet in the EU. Fiber is widely available in cities. No long-term contracts required with many providers.

Open a Bulgarian SIM card and learn the waste disposal system

Purchase a prepaid SIM (Vivacom, A1, Yettel) with ID at any carrier store. Monthly plans start from €8. Bulgarian waste sorting is improving: yellow bins for recyclables, blue for paper, green for glass. Municipal household waste collection is included in the municipal tax (МДТ).

Register with Evrotrust or B-Trust for qualified digital signatures

Bulgaria's Evrotrust app provides a qualified electronic signature and identity verification service used for government portals (e-government.bg). B-Trust issues qualified digital certificates for tax filings, e-signature, and online banking. In 2026, the Evrotrust mobile app is free for basic identification.

Register at the Employment Agency

Register as a job seeker at the local Labour Office to access job listings, career counselling, language training, and unemployment benefits if applicable.

Apply for monthly child allowances (месечни семейни помощи) at Social Assistance

Families with children up to age 20 in education can apply for monthly family allowances at the local Social Assistance directorate. In 2026, the basic monthly allowance is €26–51 per child depending on family income. Applications require birth certificate, income declarations, and school enrollment certificate.

Register for parental leave (майчинство/родителски отпуск) through the National Social Security Institute

Parents employed in Bulgaria are entitled to maternity and parental leave paid through the National Social Security Institute (НОИ). In 2026, maternity benefit is 90% of insured income for up to 410 days. The application is submitted via the employer or directly at a НОИ office. Both parents can share parental leave after the child turns 6 months.

Annual January check of key financial figures

Every January 1st, key figures change in Bulgaria: minimum wage, pension contributions, insurance rates, and benefit amounts. A brief annual audit prevents surprises.

Open a high-yield deposit account (срочен депозит) for emergency fund

Bulgarian term deposits at major banks: Fibank, UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank. 12-month rates up to 3.5% APR in 2026. FGVB deposit guarantee up to €100,000 per person per bank.

Learn the Cyrillic alphabet

The Cyrillic alphabet is essential for daily life in Bulgaria — street signs, menus, transport stops, official forms, and shop names are all in Cyrillic. It can be learned in 2–3 hours and is the most impactful first step for any new arrival.

Register with your home country's embassy

Most countries recommend registering abroad with their embassy or consulate for emergency assistance, electoral rolls, and official communications.

Join expat community groups

Connect with the expat community in Bulgaria for practical advice, social connections, and local knowledge. The Sofia Expats Facebook group is invaluable for new arrivals.

File annual income tax return

File your annual income tax return (Годишна данъчна декларация) by 30 April. Employees with single employer income typically do not need to file (employer files on their behalf). Self-employed, company directors, those with multiple income sources, and foreign income earners must file.