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Information portal for refugees in Bulgaria

How to get medical care in Bulgaria

Everyone with health insurance in Bulgaria has the right to access medical care through the NHIF (НЗОК). A key role in the system is the personal doctor (OПЛ / GP): they manage the patient, refer them to specialists and hospitals, and issue documents and prescriptions.

Who is eligible for NHIF-covered care

The right to medical care through the NHIF applies to people with continuous health insurance, including:

Bulgarian citizens
people with temporary protection
persons with humanitarian status
refugees and asylum seekers
migrants with lawful residence

! Important for people with temporary protection

During the first 90 days, the insurance contribution is paid by the state.

After this period, working-age people (women 18–63, men 18–65) who are not working and not studying must pay the contributions themselves.

You can check your health insurance status via the NRA:
👉 https://portal.nra.bg/free-access-services
☎️ NRA phone: 0700 18 700

EMERGENCY AND URGENT CARE

Emergency care is free for everyone. Call 112 in life-threatening situations.

Urgent (non-life-threatening) conditions are handled by your GP or an on-call doctor.

Health insurance: how much and when to pay

Insurance contribution = 8% of income

Employees: part is paid by the employer, part by the employee
- 60% — employer
- 40% — employee
Self-insured: BGN 43.08/month (November 2025)

Payment deadline: by the 25th of the following month.
Payment is possible via the NRA, banks, post offices, EasyPay, or online.

Basic health insurance package

In exchange for paid contributions, the insured person receives:

Primary outpatient care: diagnostics, treatment, vaccination, prevention.

Specialised outpatient care: specialist consultations, screening services, highly specialised procedures.

Outpatient dental care (for children and adults).

Inpatient medical care (hospital treatment): under 267 clinical pathways, 6 clinical procedures (up to 24 hours), and 47 outpatient procedures.

If you don’t pay

if more than 3 contributions have been missed in the last 36 months, your entitlements may be suspended
to restore entitlements, you usually need to pay any outstanding contributions for up to the last 60 months (5 years)

Who is exempt from paying contributions

The state pays health insurance for:

children under 18;
women over 63 and men over 65;
full-time students;
unemployed people receiving benefits;
people in custody or serving a prison sentence;

people temporarily unable to work due to illness, pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare.

Checking and restoring entitlements

You can check your status:

on the NRA website: https://portal.nra.bg/free-access-services
by phone: 0700 18 700
at an NRA office

To restore entitlements, you must:

pay all missed contributions for the last 60 months (5 years).
Entitlements are restored on the day full payment is made.

Personal doctor (OПЛ / GP): choosing a GP

A personal doctor (general practitioner) is a key figure in the healthcare system.

What your GP does

monitors your overall health;
provides mandatory vaccinations;
carries out annual preventive check-ups;
treats common illnesses;
issues referrals to specialists, lab tests, and diagnostic examinations;
issues sick leave certificates;
keeps medical records;
prescribes medicines, including for chronic conditions;
refers patients to LKK and TELK;

provides information about treatment options and hospitalisation.

You can choose a GP (OПЛ):

in your place of registration or in any city in Bulgaria;
at any time of the year (initial choice).

How to choose:

Download the NHIF form: https://nhif.bg/bg/people/request_opl
Fill it in and submit it to the chosen doctor.
From the moment the form is signed, the doctor becomes your GP.

NHIF forms:
👉 https://nhif.bg/bg/people/request_opl

Changing your GP

Possible twice a year:

1–30 June
1–31 December

You do not need to notify your previous GP.

If you are temporarily in another city

up to 1 month — you may visit any GP in case of urgent need
1–5 months — temporary registration with another GP is possible

USER FEE

Insured persons pay a user fee:

when visiting a GP, specialist, or dentist;
for each day of hospital stay (up to 10 days per year).

Amount (November 2025): BGN 2.90.

Exempt from payment:

children under 18;
pregnant women and women who have recently given birth (up to 45 days);
oncology patients;
people with disability over 71% (TELK);
war veterans;
socially vulnerable groups;
medical professionals.

ACCESS TO SPECIALISTS

How to access care

Via your GP: the GP issues a medical referral valid for 30 calendar days. A follow-up visit is possible within 30 days after the initial visit.

Payment: the patient pays a user fee of BGN 2.90 (November 2025), except for exempt categories and pensioners.

Direct access: you can also see a specialist on a paid basis.

24/7 care (GP obligation)

General practitioners must ensure their patients have 24/7 access to medical care in one of the following ways:

Signing a contract with a facility that has an on-call clinic (group practice, medical centre).

Providing 24/7 consultations themselves by phone, at the clinic, or, if necessary, at the patient’s home.

Hospital treatment (HOSPITALISATION)

Admission to hospital:

with a referral from a GP or specialist;
via 112;
by self-referral (if the need is confirmed).

Payment

NHIF covers treatment, except for:

hospital daily fee — BGN 5.80/day, up to 10 days per year;
medicines and materials outside the NHIF package;
additional services (private room, choice of doctor, etc.).

Dental care, prosthetics

People with continuous health insurance can receive treatment from any dentist who has a contract with the NHIF. At each visit, you must present your health insurance booklet.

User fee (payment)

For each dental visit, insured persons pay a user fee.

User fee amount (November 2025): BGN 2.90.

Reduced co-payments apply to pensioners (who have exercised their entitlement to an old-age pension based on insurance length and age).

🦷 Services covered by the NHIF

For persons under 18 (once per year):

Comprehensive dental examination with an oral status chart.

Two fillings (amalgam or chemical composite).

Extraction of a deciduous or permanent tooth (with anaesthesia).

Treatment of pulpitis or periodontitis of a deciduous or permanent tooth.

Specialised surgical dental care (under 18):

Specialised examination.

Incision of connective tissue bands (with anaesthesia).

Extraction of a severely damaged or broken tooth (with anaesthesia).

Follow-up examination.

2. For persons over 18:

Comprehensive dental examination with an oral status chart (once per year), including one additional examination for pregnant women.

One filling (amalgam or chemical composite).

Extraction of a permanent tooth (with anaesthesia).

Specialised surgical dental care (over 18):

The same services as for persons under 18 (specialised examination, incision, extraction of a damaged/broken tooth, follow-up examination).

Prosthetics

full acrylic dentures (upper / lower / both jaws);
coverage: BGN 287 for one jaw, BGN 574 for both;
renewal entitlement — after 4 years.

IMPORTANT – Full NHIF coverage:

Minors and persons with mental disorders have no restrictions when dental procedures are performed under general anaesthesia. These services are fully covered by the NHIF.

Children and adolescents living in specialised institutions (children’s homes, educational/correctional institutions, etc.), as well as persons in custody, are entitled to receive all dental services completely free of charge.

The NHIF partially covers the cost of full removable dentures (upper and lower) in cases of complete tooth loss, with the possibility to receive them once every four years.

Preventive check-ups, vaccination

At least once a year with a GP.

Usually includes:

clinical examination and medical history;
mental health assessment;
blood pressure, vision, ECG;
urine test;
glucose level (if risk factors are present).

Additional age-related tests:

cholesterol, liver function tests, PSA, ultrasound, mammography, etc.

LKK AND TELK

With a GP referral:

LKK — temporary incapacity for work;
TELK — disability and work capacity assessment.

These commissions issue official documents needed for benefits, pensions, or workplace accommodations.

VACCINATION, Mandatory (free of charge)

Provided by a GP or the RHI (Regional Health Inspectorate):

hepatitis B;
BCG;
diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis;
polio;
Hib;
pneumococcal;
measles, mumps, rubella.

Recommended

HPV (free for 12-year-old girls);
COVID-19, influenza, chickenpox, rotavirus, meningococcal, hepatitis A.

COMPLAINTS (VIOLATION OF RIGHTS)

In case of a violation of rights related to medical or dental care, citizens have the right to submit a written complaint to:

the Director of the NHIF or the RHIF in the place of residence.

For advice: contact the RHIF reception offices or call the NHIF Information Centre: 0800 14 800.

For any questions about choosing a personal doctor (GP) or the E-Zdrave app, you can contact the Regional Health Insurance Fund (RHIF) / NHIF in your city:

RHIF / NHIF offices

#	NHIF / NHIF Office	Address	Phone
1	NHIF (National Health Insurance Fund)	📍 Krichim Street No. 1, Sofia 1407	0800 14 800
2	NHIF Sofia-City	📍 Enos Street No. 10, Sofia 1408	02 965 67 46 / 02 965 67 76
3	NHIF Sofia-Region	📍 Enos Street No. 10, Sofia 1408	02 858 12 02 / 02 965 69 43
4	NHIF Blagoevgrad	📍 Georgi Izmirliev Street No. 9, Blagoevgrad	073 883 00 475
5	NHIF Burgas	📍 Park Ezoroto Street, Burgas	056 80 66 11
6	NHIF Varna	📍 Tsar Osvoboditel Street No. 76, Varna	052 68 90 72
7	NHIF Veliko Tarnovo	📍 Ivaylo Street No. 2, Veliko Tarnovo	062 611 252
8	NHIF Vidin	📍 Pannonia Street No. 2, Vidin	094 609 810
9	NHIF Vratsa	📍 Ivanytsa Danchov Street No. 2, Vratsa	092 686 110
10	NHIF Gabrovo	📍 Otec Paisiy Street No. 25, Gabrovo	066 819 523
11	NHIF Dobrich	📍 Nezavisimost Street No. 5, Dobrich	058 654 500
12	NHIF Kardzhali	📍 Trakia Blvd No. 19, Kardzhali	0361 63 514
13	NHIF Kyustendil	📍 Democracy Street No. 44, Kyustendil	078 559 700
14	NHIF Lovech	📍 Khan Kubrat Street No. 7, Lovech	068 688 105
15	NHIF Montana	📍 Treti Mart Blvd No. 41, Montana	096 396 110
16	NHIF Pazardzhik	📍 11th August Street No. 2, Pazardzhik	034 402 105
17	NHIF Pernik	📍 Krakar Street No. 2, Pernik	076 649 210
18	NHIF Pleven	📍 Knyaz Alexander Battenberg Street No. 7, Pleven	064 882 511
19	NHIF Plovdiv	📍 Hristo Chernopeev Street No. 14, Plovdiv	032 603 011
20	NHIF Razgrad	📍 Bulgaria Blvd No. 36, Razgrad	084 611 567
21	NHIF Ruse	📍 Rayko Daskalov Street No. 16, Ruse	082 886 111
22	NHIF Silistra	📍 Parteniy Pavlovich Street No. 3, Silistra	086 812 144
23	NHIF Sliven	📍 Samuil Street No. 1, Sliven	044 615 201
24	NHIF Smolyan	📍 Bulgaria Blvd No. 7, Smolyan	0301 670 40
25	NHIF Stara Zagora	📍 Tsar Ivan Shishman Street No. 54, Stara Zagora	042 610 910
26	NHIF Targovishte	📍 Traiko Kitanchev Street No. 37, Targovishte	0601 61 102
27	NHIF Haskovo	📍 City Hospital Square No. 1, Haskovo	038 607 311
28	NHIF Shumen	📍 Tsar Osvoboditel Street No. 102, Shumen	054 850 085
29	NHIF Yambol	📍 Dr. Petar Brankov Street No. 1, Yambol	046 685 011

For vaccination and testing inquiries, contact the Regional Health Inspectorate (RHI) in your city:

RHI offices

No.	RHI office	Address	Phone
1	RHI Sofia City	20 “Vranya” St.	02 81 30 400
2	RHI Sofia Region	15 “Acad. Ivan Ev. Geshov” St.	02 80 78 700
3	RHI Blagoevgrad	2 “Bratya Miladinovi” St.	073 832 826
4	RHI Burgas	120 “Aleksandrovska” St.	056 807 302
5	RHI Varna	3 “Bregalnitsa” St.	052 665 202
6	RHI Veliko Tarnovo	23 “Nikola Gabrovski” Blvd.	062 620 161
7	RHI Vidin	76 “Tsar Simeon Veliki” St.	094 923 185
8	RHI Vratsa	2 “Cherni Drin” St.	0879 144 830
9	RHI Gabrovo	2 “Raycho Karolev” St.	066 840 604
10	RHI Dobrich	57 “Kiril i Metodiy” St.	058 600 614
11	RHI Kardzhali	2 “Gen. Vladimir Stoychev” St.	0361 60 295
12	RHI Kyustendil	36 “Tintyava” St.	078 558 201
13	RHI Lovech	27A “Prof. Dr. Sayko Sayev” St.	068 601 518
14	RHI Montana	3 “Zheravitsa” Sq.	086 391 711
15	RHI Pazardzhik	17 “Bolnichna” St.	034 445 365
16	RHI Pernik	15 “Miner” St.	076 601 881
17	RHI Pleven	7 “Knyaz Alexander Batenberg” St.	064 823 409
18	RHI Plovdiv	1 “Perushtitsa” St.	032 649 000
19	RHI Razgrad	8 “Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodiy” St.	084 611 165
20	RHI Ruse	68 “Pridunavski” Blvd.	082 825 623
21	RHI Silistra	82 “Petar Mutafchiev” St.	086 816 119
22	RHI Sliven	1 “Peyo Yavorov” St.	044 616 200
23	RHI Smolyan	26 “Bulgaria” Blvd.	0301 63 293
24	RHI Stara Zagora	10 “Stefan Karadzha” St.	042 602 472
25	RHI Targovishte	33 “Tsar Osvoboditel” St.	0601 64 075
26	RHI Haskovo	2 “Patriarh Evtimiy” St.	038 662 934
27	RHI Shumen	1 “Osvobozhdenie” Sq.	054 800 203
28	RHI Yambol	71 “Dimitar Blagoev” St.	046 663 170

List of the largest hospitals in Bulgaria

No.	Hospital	City	Type
1	University Hospital “Aleksandrovska”	Sofia	University / multidisciplinary
2	N. I. Pirogov University Emergency Hospital	Sofia	Emergency / multidisciplinary
3	University Hospital “St. Ekaterina”	Sofia	Specialised – cardiovascular
4	University Hospital “Tsaritsa Yoanna – ISUL”	Sofia	University / multidisciplinary
5	University Hospital “St. Ivan Rilski”	Sofia	University / multidisciplinary
6	National Oncology Centre	Sofia	Oncology centre
7	University Hospital “St. George”	Plovdiv	University / multidisciplinary
8	Municipal Hospital “St. Panteleimon”	Plovdiv	Municipal / multidisciplinary
9	University Hospital “St. Marina”	Varna	University / multidisciplinary
10	Hospital “St. Anna” – Varna	Varna	Multidisciplinary
11	Dr. Georgi Stranski University Hospital	Pleven	University / multidisciplinary
12	Prof. Dr. Stoyan Kirkovich University Hospital	Stara Zagora	University / multidisciplinary
13	Burgas University Hospital	Burgas	Multidisciplinary
14	University Hospital “Kanev”	Ruse	Multidisciplinary
15	Comprehensive Oncology Centre – Pleven	Pleven	Oncology centre
16	Hospital “St. Petka”	Vidin	Multidisciplinary
17	Hospital “Hristo Botev”	Vratsa	Multidisciplinary
18	Dr. Atanas Dafovski Hospital	Kardzhali	Multidisciplinary
19	Dr. Nikola Vasilev Hospital	Kyustendil	Multidisciplinary
20	Dr. Stamen Iliev Hospital	Montana	Multidisciplinary
21	Blagoevgrad Hospital	Blagoevgrad	Multidisciplinary
22	Pazardzhik Hospital	Pazardzhik	Multidisciplinary
23	Troyan Central Hospital	Troyan	Multidisciplinary