Bulgaria extends temporary protection for those displaced from Ukraine until 4 March 2024

On 1 February 2023, the Bulgarian Government adopted Decision No. 95 extending until 4 March 2024 the temporary protection of persons displaced by the war in Ukraine.

By a further Decision No. 96 of the same date, the validity of the current registration cards, which expire on 24 February 2023, is automatically extended until 31 March 2023 and up to and including that date they are to be considered valid by all Bulgarian state bodies, natural and legal persons.

This also determines the deadline within which displaced persons from Ukraine who wish to continue to enjoy protection in Bulgaria must re-register and obtain a new registration card of a foreigner granted temporary protection. Displaced persons from Ukraine must re-register and obtain a new registration card by 31 March 2023 (including).

Both government decisions on the duration of the temporary protection and the validity of the registration cards and the deadline for their replacement with new registration cards were published on 2 February 2023. This is also the date from which displaced persons from Ukraine can start their re-registration as foreigners granted temporary protection in Bulgaria.