Passport: getting or replacing it abroad

Passports are issued and replaced by the consular section of a Bulgarian embassy or consulate general. You apply in person: your biometric data — photo, fingerprints and signature — are taken when you apply. The document is produced in Sofia, so it takes longer than in Bulgaria.

processing

up to 45 days

accelerated — up to 30 days

fee

from €47

adult, 5-year passport

validity

5 or 10 yrs

under 18 — 5 years only

application

in person

fingerprints are taken

Step by step

1. Choose a mission

   You apply at an embassy, consulate general or consulate, not at an honorary consul. Addresses and contacts are listed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo).

2. Book an appointment online

   Most missions in Europe and the US use consulatebg.eu: you fill in the application first, get a number (UIN) and use it to book a slot. The booking must be confirmed by email within 24 hours. Some missions (for example London and Valencia) book appointments their own way.

3. Come in person with your documents

   Bring your ID card and your current passport, if you have one. Biometric data are taken and the fees are paid on the spot.

4. Wait

   Usually up to 45 days, up to 30 days with the accelerated service, plus delivery to the mission. Check whether the passport has arrived at consulatebg.eu/status with your personal number (EGN).

5. Collect the passport

   In person, by a person named in the application, or with a notarised power of attorney. Your old passport is handed in. A passport not collected within 6 months is sent back to the issuing authority.

Validity

A passport is issued for 5 or 10 years, as you choose. People under 18 get a 5-year passport only (Art. 36 of the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act).

Fees

Abroad you pay two fees: a consular fee of €20 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Tariff No. 3 and the Ministry of Interior fee under Tariff No. 4, which depends on your age and the passport’s validity. Fees have been in euro since 27 April 2026; older pages with prices in leva are out of date. The full amounts are in the “In short” box.

The accelerated service (up to 30 days) doubles the Ministry of Interior fee and is only available if the mission offers courier delivery and you have paid for it (for example €45.33 with DHL in Berlin). Express service within hours is not available abroad.

Children

The child and both parents attend in person. If one parent cannot come, a notarised power of attorney (consent) from them, a court decision or another document showing their consent is not needed is required. Children aged 14 to 17 sign the application themselves and the parents countersign it.

Lost, stolen or damaged passport

Report a loss or theft within 3 days to the Ministry of Interior or to the mission. When applying for a new passport you fill in a declaration under Art. 17(1) of the Regulation on Bulgarian Identity Documents and attach a police report if you have one. If you need to travel at once, the mission can issue a temporary passport.

Change of name after marriage

A marriage concluded abroad must first be registered in Bulgaria (notify within 6 months; registration takes about 3 months). Then apply for new documents within 30 days and bring the original Bulgarian marriage certificate.

Abroad or in Bulgaria?

If you are travelling to Bulgaria, you can also apply at the Ministry of Interior’s Bulgarian Identity Documents office for your permanent address — processing is faster there and there is no consular fee. An online application through e-uslugi.mvr.bg is possible with a qualified electronic signature if your biometric data were taken within the last 59 months.