Moving to the UK from Bulgaria: Guide

Brexit and Bulgarian Citizens

Before Brexit, Bulgarian citizens could live and work in the UK under European Union free movement. Since 1 January 2021, someone arriving to live here applies through the same immigration system as any other non-UK national. Bulgarians who were already in the UK before 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Visiting Rather Than Moving

Bulgaria is not on the UK's visa national list, so a Bulgarian citizen does not need a visa for a visit of up to 6 months. What is needed instead is an electronic travel authorisation, which costs £20 and covers travel to the UK, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man for up to 6 months per visit. Everyone travelling needs their own, including babies and children. It is also needed to pass through UK border control on the way to somewhere else; staying airside in the airport does not need one.

Visa Routes After Brexit

• Skilled Worker visa. The main work route. Requires a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor at the minimum salary of £41,700 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code if that is higher.
• Health and Care Worker visa. For eligible health and care roles. The fee is £324 for up to 3 years and £628 for more than 3 years, and GOV.UK says the holder, their partner and their children do not pay the healthcare surcharge.
• Family visa. Where a partner is a British citizen or has settlement. See the spouse visa guide.
• Student visa. Needs a confirmation of acceptance for studies from a licensed UK institution. Bulgarian students now pay international fees. See the student visa guide.
• Graduate route. 2 years after a UK degree, or 3 years after a PhD. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027 the 2-year period shortens to 18 months. See the Graduate route guide.

EU Settlement Scheme

Bulgarian citizens who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. The deadline for most people was 30 June 2021, and a late application can still be accepted where there are reasonable grounds for applying now. The scheme is not open to someone arriving today.

Settled and pre-settled status both allow you to live and work here and, GOV.UK says, to “access public funds such as benefits and pensions, if you're eligible for them”. Pre-settled status is extended by 5 years just before it is due to expire, and after that extension it may be converted to settled status automatically. Holders can also apply for settled status themselves once they have 5 years' continuous residence.

Document Requirements

• Valid Bulgarian passport. A national identity card is no longer accepted for entry to the UK unless you hold EU Settlement Scheme status, an EU Settlement Scheme family permit or a frontier worker permit.
• No tuberculosis test required. Bulgaria is not on the Home Office list.
• English language test. Required for most routes. A new Skilled Worker application has needed level B2 since 8 January 2026. The approved test providers publish their own centre lists for Bulgaria.
• Svidetelstvo za sadimost (criminal record certificate). Issued by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice and available through its electronic service. GOV.UK publishes no processing time for it, so this guide gives none.
• Certified translation. Bulgarian documents must be translated into English.

What It Costs

The Home Office publishes its fees in pounds. It does not publish a euro price, and the exchange rate it applies is the rate on the day you pay, so this guide gives no euro conversion.

• Skilled Worker visa, applying from outside the UK: £819 for 3 years or less, £1,618 for more than 3 years
• Health and Care Worker visa: £324 for up to 3 years, £628 for more than 3 years
• Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 a year, or £776 a year for students, their dependants and anyone under 18. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their family do not pay it
• Student visa: £558
• Electronic travel authorisation for a visit: £20

GOV.UK publishes no price for an English language test; the test providers set their own. See our UK visa fees guide for the full breakdown.

The Bulgarian Community in the UK

Bulgarian communities in the UK are concentrated in London and in several larger English cities, with Bulgarian Orthodox churches, shops and community associations. The Home Office does not publish a count of Bulgarian nationals resident in the UK, so this guide gives none.

After Arrival

• Set up your eVisa in your UK Visas and Immigration account. There is no card to collect: biometric residence permits stopped being issued at the end of 2024, and status is proved online with a share code that lasts 90 days
• Apply for a National Insurance number
• Register with a doctor (GP surgery)
• Open a UK bank account

Path to Settlement

After 5 years on a qualifying visa, apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain). After 12 months with settlement, apply for British citizenship. The UK allows dual citizenship. Whether Bulgaria does is a matter of Bulgarian law, and the Home Office's own nationality guidance says to check with the country of which you are a citizen before applying.

Next Steps

For official information, visit the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme page and the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.

Questions and answers