Non-EU newcomers: residence, address registration and tax ID basics
Plain-language overview for non-EU citizens in Varna: residence permits, declaring your address, and how the foreigner's personal number works as a tax ID.
⚖️ This page is general information, not legal / tax advice. Rules change and depend on your situation: check the official sources below or ask a qualified professional.
For non-EU citizens, Bulgarian residence is built around a purpose — study, work, family or another legal ground — and the order of steps matters. In short: arrive with the right visa, declare your address, apply for residence with the Migration Directorate, and use the personal number on your residence document as your tax ID. If you hold an EU, EEA or Swiss passport, a simpler procedure applies: see residence registration for EU citizens in Varna.
Residence permits: the basics
The Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior decides on residence for foreigners. Common routes include study at a Bulgarian university, employment, and family reunification. Each has its own visa and document list, and requirements change — so:
- start with the official Migration Directorate pages and the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country,
- if you’re a student, use your university’s international office (Varna’s universities publish guidance for foreign students),
- if you’re hired, ask your employer which permit they will support.
University of Economics – Varna notes that non-EU students receive a permit for a set period that is then renewed. Renewals have deadlines, so put the expiry date in your calendar the day you get your card.
Address registration
A Ministry of Interior service sheet states that foreigners declare the address where they stay within 5 days of entering the country and after every change of address, at the migration control office where they live. The person or company providing accommodation can also make the registration. When you later apply for residence, keep that address documented: in Varna this normally means your lease and a signed statement from the landlord.
Tax ID: the LNCh
Bulgaria gives foreign residents a personal number of a foreigner (LNCh) — a 10-digit number printed on the residence document. According to the European Commission’s TIN information for Bulgaria, the National Revenue Agency (NRA) uses this number as the tax identification number for foreign residents. You’ll need it for employment, freelancing and banking.
Where to go in Varna
The Medical University of Varna lists the migration office at 1 San Stefano Street, open weekdays with a lunch break. Confirm the address and hours on the Ministry of Interior website before visiting.
Tip
Keep a folder — paper and digital — with your passport, visa, rental contract, residence card and every receipt. When your situation is complex, a qualified immigration lawyer is worth it.
Sources
- Ministry of Interior – Migration Directorate
- Ministry of Interior – Address registration of foreign citizens (service sheet)
- Medical University of Varna – Migration office & residence permit
- University of Economics – Varna, residence for foreign students
- European Commission – Tax identification numbers (TIN) by country
- National Revenue Agency (NRA)
Frequently asked questions
Can I move to Varna on a tourist visa and sort things out later?
Generally no. Non-EU citizens usually need the right visa and a residence permit for a specific purpose, such as study, work or family. Check the Migration Directorate and the Bulgarian embassy in your country first.
What is the LNCh?
The personal number of a foreigner — a 10-digit number shown on your Bulgarian residence document. The National Revenue Agency uses it as the tax identification number for foreign residents.
Who declares my address?
You do, and according to the Ministry of Interior the person or company that gives you accommodation can also do it. Keep your rental contract handy.
