The full-scale war, now in its fourth year, has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee the country and seek temporary refuge abroad. One of these countries was Bulgaria, where more than 250,000 Ukrainian citizens currently live. Some of them settled in Varna and nearby areas, where there is a growing need for access to Ukrainian administrative services. The issue of documents — their renewal, exchange, or registration for the first time — is particularly acute. Lack of a valid passport makes access to education, medicine, banking services and border crossing difficult. That is why the mobile passport service of the state enterprise “Dokument” officially became operational in the city.
What services are available in Varna for Ukrainians
On May 7, 2025, the mobile passport service of the state enterprise “Dokument” subordinated to the State Migration Service of Ukraine was officially launched in the city of Varna. This is the first step towards the systematic presence of Ukrainian public services on Bulgarian territory.
Ukrainian citizens staying in Bulgaria can use the following administrative services:
– issuing an ID card of a citizen of Ukraine or a foreign passport (including in case of loss, theft or for the first time);
– exchange of an ID card or foreign passport in case of expiry, change of personal data or damage to the document;
– exchange of an old-style passport (issued in 1994) for a modern ID card – on request or if the document is unusable.
All these operations are carried out on the basis of a mobile software and technical complex – this is a specialized white minibus with the inscription “Passport Service”. At the time of launch, the service is in test mode, but the acceptance of documents and the formation of applications has already begun. The list of services and procedures fully corresponds to those provided on the territory of Ukraine in the branches of SE Dokument.
How to submit documents: electronic queue and the possibility of live recording
For the convenience of Ukrainians, the reception is organized in two ways:
– electronic queue – registration is available on the official website of SE Dokument. The user chooses the date, time and service;
– live queue – functions in place. It is coordinated by service representatives who also provide preliminary counseling.
The demand for such services in the countries of temporary stay is high. Many Ukrainians cannot return to Ukraine for security reasons, and the validity of documents expires. Therefore, the queue forms quickly, and the service administration recommends using online booking to avoid long hours of waiting.
Where is the passport mobile complex located in Varna
The reception point for citizens is located in an accessible location:
residential complex Troshevo Mladost, 186 Vladyslav Varnenchyk Blvd, Mall Varna, 9009, Varna, Bulgaria.
This district is easily accessible both to city residents and Ukrainians from the suburbs.
Working hours: Monday – Saturday, from 09:00 to 18:00.
The work of the service is organized without days off for six days a week, which allows serving a significant number of visitors in a short period of time.
Why it is important for Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria
The opening of the mobile service is the state’s response to the urgent needs of those who are outside Ukraine against their will. Obtaining a document is not a formality, but a tool for maintaining legal status, enrolling a child in school, legalizing labor relations, traveling, and extending the validity of a residence permit.
Previously, Ukrainians in Bulgaria had to return to Ukraine or go to other countries where foreign service centers operate. This caused additional costs and risks. Now some of these problems have been removed — at least for the residents of Varna and the region.
Currently, Dokument State Enterprise in Varna operates in a limited format, but there is every reason to expect an expansion of the service — in particular, the addition of the possibility of issuing certificates, registering the place of residence, making changes to register data and other services. The possibility of launching mobile points in other cities of Bulgaria, where a large number of Ukrainians are concentrated, is being considered: Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv.
The issue of access to administrative services is one of the main issues in the humanitarian support of Ukrainians abroad. The presence of documents is the basis for maintaining a legal relationship with the state, regardless of the place of temporary stay.
