Driving licence: renewing it abroad and exchanging a foreign one

If you live outside the European Union, you can apply to replace your Bulgarian driving licence at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. If you live in another EU country, missions do not accept these applications: under EU rules the licence is renewed in the country where you normally live, and you receive a local licence.

processing

up to 75 days

replacement via a mission, plus delivery

Interior Ministry fee

€14

under 58; age 58–70 — €5.62

validity

10 years

according to the Administrative Register

at an embassy

outside the EU

in the EU — in your country of residence

Where to replace your licence

Replacement at an embassy or consulate

1. Check the mission

   Embassies and consulates in non-EU countries accept applications to replace a licence. If the mission books appointments online, reserve one in advance.

2. Get a medical certificate

   You need a certificate from a local hospital issued no more than 6 months earlier. Categories C and D and related ones also require specialist examinations.

3. Apply in person

   You sign the application and the declaration in front of the consular officer. Where equipment is available, your face and signature are captured digitally; at other missions you attach a photo.

4. Police check in Sofia

   The Sofia Directorate of the Interior replies within 5 working days whether the licence can be issued. If your data do not match, the mission tells you within 7 working days. If you do not fix it within one month, the application is closed.

5. Collect the licence

   The directorate issues it within 75 days and it is then sent to the mission — by diplomatic post, or by DHL if you paid for courier delivery. Check whether it has arrived at consulatebg.eu/status, in the section for documents received.

Fees

The Ministry of Interior fee is set by Art. 37 of Tariff No. 4 and has been in euro since 27 April 2026: €14 under the age of 58, €5.62 from 58 to 70, €1.53 with a disability of 50% or more. People over 70 pay nothing. The mission also charges a consular fee under the Foreign Ministry’s Tariff No. 3; the amount and accepted currency are posted at the mission and on its website.

In Bulgaria faster options exist: a licence within 10 days for double the fee (€28) and an accelerated service within 3 working days for triple the fee (€42). These are not available abroad.

If you live in another EU country

A Bulgarian licence is valid throughout the EU and you do not need to exchange it when you move. When it expires, you renew it in the country where you normally live. The new licence follows the EU model, and its validity and medical requirements follow local rules. You can hold only one EU licence at a time.

• An expired licence is not valid — do not let it run out while travelling.
• If your licence is lost, stolen or damaged, you apply for a local licence in your country of residence.
• Some countries require you to exchange it for a local licence after a traffic offence on their territory.
• Renewal is not possible if the issuing country has restricted, suspended or withdrawn the licence.

A foreign licence in Bulgaria

A licence from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland is valid in Bulgaria without restriction. Once you are normally resident here, you can exchange it for a Bulgarian one without a test. If you commit an offence that costs penalty points, you must apply for the exchange within 7 days.

With a licence from a non-EU country, a Bulgarian citizen may drive in Bulgaria for up to one year after entering the country (Art. 162(1) of the Road Traffic Act). After that you need a Bulgarian licence:

• without a test — if the issuing country is a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and the licence meets Annex 6 of the Convention;
• after a test — in all other cases.

The foreign licence is handed in and returned to the issuing country together with the reason for the exchange.

International driving permit

The international driving permit is issued by the Ministry of Interior on the basis of a valid Bulgarian licence; the fee is €2.56. It is not valid in Bulgaria and not needed in the EU. Outside the EU, check the rules of the country where you will drive. If your Bulgarian licence is withdrawn, the permit must be returned to the Ministry within 7 days.

New EU directive

Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences entered into force on 25 November 2025, and countries must transpose it by 26 November 2028. It provides for a digital licence on your phone by the end of 2030 and 15-year validity for cars and motorcycles. Until the changes reach Bulgarian law, the current rules apply.