Insurance for entry into Bulgaria: who needs it, rules for obtaining it for different categories of visas, and where to purchase it?

To travel to Bulgaria for work, study or tourism, you usually need valid medical insurance. Find out who needs medical insurance and who needs it for safe travel

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Are you travelling to Bulgaria? This article is your indispensable guide to the world of medical insurance! We will reveal the key aspects of visiting this country. Find out about the mandatory requirements for obtaining a residence permit or long-term visa to avoid unpleasant surprises. And if you are planning a short trip without visa obligations, we will provide comprehensive recommendations on how to obtain medical insurance that will guarantee your peace of mind. Special attention is paid to medical support for refugees, as their needs require special attention. And, of course, we do not forget about motorists: we will analyse all the nuances of the mandatory ‘Green Card’, without which no driver can cross the border. Be ready for your trip – informed, protected and confident!

Planning a trip to Bulgaria? Make sure you have reliable insurance.

Who needs insurance to enter Bulgaria?

According to the current legislation of Bulgaria, the requirements for medical insurance for entry into the country depend on the citizenship of the person and the purpose of their stay.

For whom is medical insurance mandatory for entry into Bulgaria?

According to current legislation, medical insurance for entry into Bulgaria is mandatory for the following categories of persons:

1. Foreigners and stateless persons who have been granted the right to long-term or permanent residence in Bulgaria. The insurance obligation arises from the date of receipt of the relevant permit.

2. Persons who have been granted refugee status, humanitarian status or the right to asylum, as well as persons who are in the process of being granted international protection.

3. Persons under temporary protection.

4. Foreign students and doctoral students studying at higher education institutions and scientific organisations in Bulgaria.

Please note! Medical insurance is required to obtain a visa to Bulgaria (including long-term visas, such as for work or study).

All details about applying for a visa to Bulgaria – when it is required and how to do it correctly – can be found on the Visit Ukraine portal.

For whom is medical insurance for entry into Bulgaria desirable?

Although medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for many categories of foreigners entering Bulgaria, there are situations where it is desirable or strongly recommended, even if not formally required for a visa or entry permit.

Tourists travelling without a visa (e.g. citizens of Ukraine with a biometric passport)

Although medical insurance is not a direct requirement for crossing the border for short-term visa-free trips, it is critically important to have it. Medical services in Bulgaria are not free and can be very expensive. Any unexpected illness, injury or other medical emergency can result in significant financial costs that will not be covered without insurance. A policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is recommended.

Citizens of EU and EEA member states

For citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area, it is formally sufficient to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However, the EHIC only covers emergency medical care that corresponds to the state medical services in Bulgaria. It does not cover, for example, private medical services, repatriation or other non-medical risks (such as trip cancellation, loss of luggage, etc.). Therefore, for more comprehensive protection and to avoid unexpected expenses, it is strongly recommended that you take out additional travel insurance.

Persons travelling on short business trips, visiting relatives/friends

Even if it is not tourism in the strict sense, the health risks remain the same. Medical insurance will provide financial protection in the event of unforeseen medical situations.

Persons engaged in active sports or with chronic illnesses

It is especially important for them to have extended medical insurance that covers the risks associated with their activities or health condition. Standard policies may not cover exacerbations of chronic illnesses or injuries sustained during extreme sports.

Follow the link and find out how to get to Bulgaria from Ukraine as quickly and safely as possible.

What medical assistance is provided to refugees in Bulgaria?

Medical assistance to refugees in Bulgaria is provided in accordance with their status, with certain specific features for persons who have been granted temporary protection, in particular citizens of Ukraine. The information is based on data from the State Agency for Refugees (DAR), the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and other official sources.

Emergency medical assistance

All persons in Bulgaria, regardless of their status, are entitled to free emergency medical care in life-threatening situations or situations that could lead to a serious deterioration of their health.

Important! In emergencies, call the single European number 112. The call is free and you can be connected to an English-speaking operator.

Access to planned medical care through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)

The main access to planned medical care in Bulgaria is through the state health insurance system (NHIF – National Health Insurance Fund). To receive treatment, you must be insured.

Special provisions for persons who have been granted temporary protection (citizens of Ukraine):

According to the decision of the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria (in particular, Decision No. 144 of 10 March 2022 on granting temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine), as well as changes in legislation, Ukrainians with temporary protection have certain rights to medical care:

1. For adult women under the age of 63 and men under the age of 65, the state pays for health insurance for the first 90 days of their stay with temporary protection status.

2. Children under 18, pregnant women, pensioners (women over 63 and men over 65) and persons with disabilities are entitled to full medical care free of charge throughout the period of temporary protection.

3. After the 90-day period, if an adult of working age does not belong to a vulnerable group, they must pay monthly health insurance contributions to the NHIF themselves in order to maintain access to routine medical care. If they fail to pay for three months, they lose their right to free services (except for emergency care).

Important! This obligation to pay contributions does not apply to those who are officially employed in Bulgaria, as health insurance contributions are then deducted from their salary.

4. Children who have been granted temporary protection are entitled to vaccination according to the Ukrainian schedule at regional health inspectorates.

The procedure for obtaining refugee status has certain peculiarities for each European country. Use the advice of Visit Ukraine lawyers to obtain temporary protection in Bulgaria.

What car insurance policy should you choose for entry into Bulgaria?

To enter Bulgaria, you will need a Green Card – an international civil liability insurance policy. This document confirms that you are insured in the event of an accident caused by you on Bulgarian territory and covers damages to victims.

Before travelling, make sure that your Green Card is valid for Bulgaria and covers the entire period of your stay. If you do not have one or it is invalid, you will have to purchase insurance directly at the border, which is usually less convenient and may be more expensive. It is always better to take care of the Green Card in advance!

We discussed whether Ukrainians are required to purchase local motor insurance in Bulgaria in our previous article.

General requirements for insurance policies for short-term and long-term trips

Insurance policy requirements under Bulgarian law

The insurance policy must meet certain requirements, including:

1. The minimum insurance coverage must be at least €30,000. This coverage must be sufficient to cover all expenses that may arise in connection with medical repatriation (return to the home country for medical reasons), emergency medical care, emergency hospitalisation, and death.

2. The medical insurance policy must be valid for the entire period of the planned stay or transit through the territory of Bulgaria.

3. The insurance must be valid in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. For Schengen visas, it must be valid throughout the Schengen area.

4. Insurance without a deductible is strongly recommended, as this means that all costs are covered by the insurance company.

5. No exceptions regarding repatriation and emergency assistance.

Read about the specifics of employment for Ukrainians in Bulgaria on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Mandatory insurance requirements for Schengen countries

1. Amount of insurance coverage: The policy guarantees coverage of expenses significantly exceeding €30,000. This ensures full reimbursement of your treatment, repatriation, and COVID-19-related treatment costs.

2. Extensive coverage of medical services: The insurance policy covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor's consultations, hospitalisation, purchase of necessary medicines and other medical services.

3. Area of coverage: The insurance cover extends to all countries in the Schengen area.

Earlier, we talked about the peculiarities of technical inspection for foreign cars in Bulgaria.

What kind of insurance can you get in Bulgaria?

Before travelling to Bulgaria, it is best to take out medical insurance in your home country. Although you can purchase it after arriving in Bulgaria, this may lead to several inconveniences:

1. A policy purchased locally may only be valid in Bulgaria, not in other countries you plan to visit.

2. Insurance purchased abroad is often more expensive.

3. You may have difficulty understanding the nuances of Bulgarian insurance law.

4. Misunderstandings due to language barriers are possible.

Purchasing medical or travel insurance from Ukrainian insurers has a number of advantages:

1. Convenient online purchase: Ukrainian insurance companies offer a wide range of programmes that can be quickly and easily purchased online.

2. Understanding your needs: Local insurers are well aware of the specifics of Ukrainian travel and the potential risks abroad, so their policies take these features into account as much as possible.

3. Favourable prices: The cost of insurance policies from Ukrainian companies is usually more attractive than foreign offers.

4. Supporting the economy: By purchasing insurance from a Ukrainian company, you are supporting the national insurance market and contributing to Ukraine's economic growth.

5. Simple settlement: Ukrainian insurers have well-established mechanisms for working with domestic customers, which greatly simplifies the process of receiving compensation in the event of an insured event.

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What does insurance from Ukrainian insurers cover?

Medical and travel insurance policies can be purchased on the Visit Ukraine portal. Before doing so, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the risks they cover.

What are the advantages of a medical insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A standard medical insurance policy covers basic medical emergencies during your trip:

1. Initial examination by a doctor and diagnostic procedures.

2. Outpatient and inpatient treatment.

3. Emergency medical care, including hospitalisation.

4. Compensation for the cost of medicines prescribed by a doctor.

5. Payment for transport to the nearest hospital in an emergency.

6. Emergency dental care.

For maximum protection, choose an extended medical insurance package. It may additionally cover:

1. Vaccinations and emergency surgery.

2. Repatriation of the body in the event of the insured person's death.

In addition, the extended policy may include other risks that arise during travel:

1. Flight delay or cancellation.

2. Loss or damage to luggage.

3. Payment for urgent telephone calls.

4. Compensation for damage to your car as a result of an accident.

Take care of your peace of mind and safety on every trip – choose medical insurance at Visit Ukraine!

What are the advantages of a travel insurance policy at Visit Ukraine?

A travel insurance policy provides financial protection in the event of the following:

1. Payment for treatment (both outpatient and inpatient) and emergency dental care.

2. Organisation and coverage of the costs of your evacuation, transport, and repatriation of the body or organisation of a funeral abroad in the event of death.

3. Compensation for losses in the event of cancellation or significant delay of a flight, as well as reimbursement of the cost of lost luggage due to the fault of the carrier.

4. Provision of legal advice.

5. Financial protection in the event of a traffic accident.

Ensure yourself a carefree trip – take out travel insurance on Visit Ukraine today!

How much does insurance cost?

Medical insurance

Travel insurance

On the Visit Ukraine portal you can choose a policy for travelling to any country in the world!

Advantages of registering on Visit Ukraine

1. Speed and simplicity: You can see the cost of the policy immediately, and the registration process itself takes only a few easy steps online.

2. Convenient and flexible payment options: We offer the best value for money and convenient payment methods.

3. Instant delivery and security: Immediately after payment, the policy is sent to your email, ensuring fast and reliable access to insurance coverage.

4. Personalised approach: You can choose the insurance coverage that best suits your needs and budget.

5. 24/7 support: Our support team is always ready to help you at any time of the day.

Get your insurance policy and travel to Bulgaria safely!

Reminder! Earlier, we told you how Ukrainians can obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria if they are not native residents.

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