Health insurance in Bulgaria for foreigners: 2026 costs and GPs in Varna
Not insured through a job? You pay NHIF yourself: €24.81/month from 1 Aug 2026; self-employed about €49.62. Deadlines, S1/EHIC and choosing a GP in Varna.
⚖️ This page is general information, not medical / financial advice. Rules change and depend on your situation: check the official sources below or ask a qualified professional.
If you live in Bulgaria and no employer pays your health contributions, you pay them yourself: €24.81 a month from 1 August 2026, which is 8% of a €310.10 base. Self-employed people pay 8% of their insurable income, with a minimum base of €620.20, so at least about €49.62 a month. Payments go to the National Revenue Agency (NRA) by the 25th of the following month.
Who has to pay into the NHIF?
Under Art. 33 of the Health Insurance Act, NHIF insurance is compulsory for Bulgarian citizens and for foreigners with long-term or permanent residence, EU Blue Card or single-permit holders, and people covered by Bulgarian law under EU coordination rules. If you are employed, your employer deducts and pays the contribution. If you are not working or not insured on another ground, you register as self-insured with Declaration Form No. 7 at the NRA, again by the 25th of the following month.
People who are insured in another EU country (for example pensioners with a foreign state pension) are not compulsorily insured in Bulgaria. They ask their home insurer for an S1 form and register it with the NHIF, which gives them care on the same terms as locals. The EHIC only covers temporary stays.
How much does it cost in 2026?
| Who | Monthly NHIF contribution |
|---|---|
| Self-insured, no other ground | €24.81 (8% of €310.10), from 1 Aug 2026 |
| Self-employed | 8% of income, minimum base €620.20 (about €49.62) |
| Employees | Split between employer and employee via payroll |
The NRA and BNT both date the new €620.20 minimum base to 1 August 2026; a November 2025 report on the draft budget had cited 1 January 2026. If you were paying earlier in 2026, check your exact amount with the NRA.
What happens if I miss payments?
If you owe your own contributions and leave more than three monthly payments unpaid within 36 months, your health insurance rights are suspended and you pay for treatment. To restore them you must pay all contributions due for the last 60 months. You can check your status in the NRA online portal or on 0700 18 700 using your personal number.
Is private insurance an option?
Yes, and it is common among non-working residents. Proof of health cover is also needed when you apply for residence. Private policies do not replace NHIF contributions if you are legally required to pay them, so many people hold both.
How do I choose a GP in Varna?
- Find a GP (общопрактикуващ лекар) in your area who has an NHIF contract and still takes new patients; neighbours and expat groups are a good start.
- Sign the registration form at the practice. NHIF guidance also describes an electronic form signed with a qualified electronic signature (QES).
- Changing GP was traditionally allowed in June and December, but we could not confirm the current window for 2026, so ask the Varna Regional Health Insurance Fund (RZOK) or check nhif.bg.
Can I talk to my GP by phone?
Yes. New Health Ministry rules on formal telemedicine, reported by Novinite in May 2026, require your written consent in advance and identification. The Health Ministry clarified on 13 May 2026 that ordinary phone calls with your GP are not telemedicine and are not banned. If your GP offers remote consultations under the new rules, you may be asked to sign a consent form in advance, so it is easiest to do this when you register.
Related guides
- Retiring in Varna
- EU citizens: registering your residence
- Non-EU residence, address and tax ID
- Dental treatment in Varna
- Mental health support in Bulgaria
Need a doctor today? Emergency departments, 112 and the main hospitals are listed in hospitals and emergency care in Varna on Varna Daily.
Sources
- BNT – Self-paid health contributions rise to €24.81 from 1 August 2026
- Bloomberg Tax – Bulgaria considers 2026 health and social security budgets (Nov 2025)
- Health Insurance Act, Art. 33 and Art. 109 (lex.bg)
- Novinite – Remote GP consultations under new telemedicine rules (8 May 2026)
- Novinite – Health Ministry - phone consultations with GPs are not banned (13 May 2026)
- GOV.UK – Healthcare in Bulgaria
- Ministry of Health – 2004 amendment on choosing a doctor (June/December windows)
- National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)
- National Revenue Agency – Self-insured persons: rates, insurable income and deadlines (2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much is health insurance in Bulgaria for a foreign resident?
If no employer pays it for you, the self-paid NHIF contribution is €24.81 a month from 1 August 2026. Self-employed people pay 8% of their insurable income, at least about €49.62 a month.
Does Bulgaria have free healthcare?
Emergency care is free. Other public care is covered by NHIF if your contributions are paid, though patients still pay small user fees; uninsured people pay for treatment themselves.
Can I use my EHIC if I live in Varna?
The EHIC is meant for temporary stays. If you move to Bulgaria while insured in another EU country, for example as a pensioner, ask that country for an S1 and register it with the NHIF.
How do I register with a GP in Varna?
Pick a GP who has a contract with the NHIF and still accepts patients, then sign a registration form at the practice. Ask the Varna Regional Health Insurance Fund (RZOK) about change periods.
