Ukrainians in Bulgaria: how many have temporary protection, and until when (2027)

According to Eurostat, 76,385 people had temporary protection in Bulgaria at the end of July 2026, of whom 75,975 were Ukrainian citizens; the August 2026 figure was 78,770. If you live in Varna, your protection is valid until 4 March 2027, provided you re-registered by 30 April 2026, and the EU has extended it to 4 March 2028. Always check your case with the State Agency for Refugees (SAR).

How many Ukrainians have temporary protection in Bulgaria?

Eurostat counts the people who hold temporary protection at the end of each month, which is not the same as everyone who has crossed the border since 2022. For Bulgaria, its database shows:

End of July	People under temporary protection in Bulgaria
2023	162,980
2024	60,220
2025	69,370
2026	76,385

Source: Eurostat (migr_asytpsm), reported by the Sofia Globe on 10 September 2026 and checked against the Eurostat database in October 2026.

According to Eurostat, 75,975 of the 76,385 people in July 2026 were Ukrainian citizens. The latest month available in October 2026 is August 2026: 78,770 people, including 78,350 Ukrainians. Across the EU, Eurostat counted about 4.43 million people who fled Ukraine under temporary protection at the end of July 2026, the Sofia Globe reported.

How has the number changed since 2023?

Eurostat’s figure for July 2024 was almost two thirds lower than for July 2023, and it has risen each year since. However, Eurostat marks Bulgaria’s figures up to January 2024 as using a different definition and flags a break in the series in February 2024, so the 2023 figure is not directly comparable with later years. The data do not explain the changes. Neither Eurostat nor SAR’s page publishes a separate figure for Varna or the Varna region.

What is the current status in Bulgaria?

On 17 February 2026 the Council of Ministers adopted two decisions:

• Decision No 190 extended temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine to 4 March 2027.
• Decision No 191 kept already-issued registration cards valid only until 30 April 2026 and approved a new card model.

Re-registration was not automatic. You had to appear in person (no proxies), bring your national ID document and your old card, fill in a renewal form with your current address, and hand in the old card. Until 30 April 2026 this could be done at SAR units or at the nearest regional Interior Ministry directorate.

What if I missed re-registration?

SAR states that cards not renewed by 30 April 2026 became invalid and their holders lost the rights of a temporary protection beneficiary. However, a new card can still be requested after that date, but only at SAR territorial units — Sofia, Banya, Harmanli and the Pastrogor transit centre, not in Varna. UNHCR’s integration handbook for Bulgaria (June 2026) likewise says that outside the renewal campaign, cards can be renewed only at SAR centres. Contact SAR before you travel and ask which documents to bring. SAR’s registry: [email protected].

Has the EU extended protection to March 2028?

Yes. EU ambassadors agreed on 15 July 2026 and the Council adopted Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912 at the end of July 2026 (published in the Official Journal on 4 August 2026), extending protection from 5 March 2027 to 4 March 2028. A new rule applies only to people applying from 5 August 2026: they must show they meet Ukraine’s military obligations (for example with an exit stamp or a Reserv+ document). People who already held protection on 4 August 2026 and keep it are not affected, according to the European Parliament’s research service.

In 2025 and 2026, Bulgaria’s national decision came in February and was followed by re-registration. Set a reminder for February–March 2027 and watch the SAR website for the 2027–2028 procedure.

Does the end of Bulgarian military aid change protection for Ukrainians?

No change to the protection rules has been announced. On 10 June 2026 Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that Bulgaria would stop giving weapons from army stocks to Ukraine, Euronews reported; the decision concerned arms, not displaced people. The opposition GERB party criticised the arms decision, saying it eroded trust in Bulgaria as an ally, Euronews reported. SAR’s page, checked in October 2026, still states that Council of Ministers Decision No 190 extends temporary protection to 4 March 2027. For the wider policy picture (arms, sanctions, the security agreement), see our news explainer Does Bulgaria still help Ukraine?.

What are my options after temporary protection?

Temporary protection is designed as a temporary status. In September 2025 the Council of the EU adopted a recommendation on a coordinated transition to other statuses, according to the European Parliament’s research service. In Bulgaria that means a national residence permit on grounds such as work, study or family — see our guide to residence, address registration and tax ID for non-EU citizens. Start early: a Council document of March 2026, quoted by the same EPRS briefing, said the number of transitions to other statuses “remains very low”.

What support is there in Varna?

• Schooling: children with temporary protection can attend Bulgarian schools. Varna’s Municipal Children’s Complex has run Bulgarian language courses for Ukrainian pupils in grades 1–4 (BTA, 2024) — ask the complex or your school about the current year.
• Help with paperwork: UNHCR’s Bulgaria help site lists rights, contacts and hotlines in Ukrainian.
• Work and housing: see remote work and jobs in Varna and finding a flat in Varna.
• Wellbeing: mental health support in Bulgaria.

Quick checklist

1. Check that you hold the new card model issued in the 2026 re-registration (protection valid to 4 March 2027).
2. Keep your address up to date with the authorities.
3. Save SAR’s page and check it in early 2027.
4. If you plan to stay long-term, look into a residence permit now.