As an asylum-seeker you have the right to reception that will provide a dignified standard of living.
The Reception Conditions Directive imposes an obligation on all Member States to ensure that the material reception conditions of asylum-seekers provide an adequate standard of living, which guarantees their subsistence and protects their physical and mental health.
As an asylum-seeker, you may move freely within the allocated region of the territory of Bulgaria, with some limitations. If you cannot provide proof for other accommodation you are required to reside in one of the territorial units of the State Agency for Refugees. The reception centres can be open or closed type.
In addition, with the written permission of the State Agency for Refugees, you may reside outside the reception centre:
- if your accommodation and support is provided by a person legally residing in Bulgaria
- you have sufficient financial resources to ensure your housing and support on your own
- it is necessary for you to reside outside the accommodation centre in order to ensure your safety
important The provision of financial support to asylum-seekers is subject to actual residence in the reception centre. You will not receive financial support if you opted to live outside of the reception centre.
In some cases outlined in the law, your freedom of movement may be restricted. Read about detention in the asylum context.
At the accommodation centre, applicants are allocated to rooms taking into account family unity, gender, language and cultural concerns. Food for three meals a day is also provided as well as basic medical assistance.
Аccess to education for minors seeking or granted international protection should not be delayed for more than three months of the submission of their application for international protection. In order to ensure access to education, children are entitled to preparatory training, including Bulgarian language training.
Asylum-seekers may work in Bulgaria if within 3 months of the submission of their application they still do not have a final decision due to reasons beyond their control. Asylum-seekers may request and obtain a letter from the State Agency for Refugees which certifies their right to work legally and get payment and social security.
The reception centre is responsible for arranging access to medical examinations and necessary health service to asylum-seekers, including mental health services, free of charge.
The specific situation of vulnerable persons has to be taken into account when organising the reception of asylum-seekers. Vulnerable persons are considered to be:
- minors
- unaccompanied minors
- disabled people
- elderly people
- pregnant women
- single parents with minor children
- victims of human trafficking
- persons with serious illnesses
- persons with mental disorders
- persons who have been subjected to torture, rape, or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.
Appropriate support must be provided to applicants with special reception needs throughout the whole asylum procedure.
If you believe that your right to certain reception conditions has been violated, you may submit a complaint against the director of the reception center to the local administrative court. Read more about complaint mechanisms.