Travel documents

Bulgaria

Country Report: Travel documents Last updated: 21/04/23

Author

Bulgarian Helsinki Committee Visit Website

Based on the two types of international protection in Bulgaria, refugee status and subsidiary protection (“humanitarian status”), the travel documents issued are also two types: (a) travel document for refugees and (b) travel document of foreigners granted humanitarian status.[1]

The validity of the refugee travel document is up to 5 years, but it cannot have a different validity from the national refugee identity card, which can be valid for up to 5 years. The travel document of individuals granted humanitarian status is up to 3 years and also mirrors the validity of the national identity card.

National law does not apply any geographical limitations or areas of permitted travel. However, travel to the country of origin may be considered as a ground for Cessation of the status granted.

Bulgaria also issues two other types of travel documents related to asylum and family reunification. Individuals granted asylum by the President of the Republic are issued travel documents with validity up to 5 years. Family members of refugee or humanitarian status holders granted a family reunification permit who do not have a valid national passport or other replacing documents can be issued a temporary travel document to enter Bulgaria in order to join the status holder (see Family Reunification: Criteria and Conditions). The law does not envisage any specific duration or validity of these travel documents and in practice their duration is decided ad hoc according to the individual circumstances of each case.

All identity documents in Bulgaria are issued by the Ministry of Interior, Bulgarian Identity Documents Directorate. The usual time limit for issuance is 30 calendar days, but the beneficiary can pay for a speedy delivery within 10 calendar days.

During the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2021, the Ministry of Interior issued 12,655 refugee travel documents and 11,197 travel documents for subsidiary protection holders. In 2021 these figures refer to a total 330 refugee travel documents and 2,180 travel documents for subsidiary protection holders

 

 

[1]   Article 59(1)(5) and (7) Law on Bulgarian Identity Documents.

Table of contents

  • Statistics
  • Overview of the legal framework
  • Overview of the of the main changes since the previous report update
  • Asylum Procedure
  • Reception Conditions
  • Detention of Asylum Seekers
  • Content of International Protection
  • ANNEX – Transposition of the CEAS in national legislation