A new system for issuing Bulgarian personal documents has officially entered into force, introducing centralized personalization and the rollout of next-generation identity documents, the Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Sofia announced.
The reform includes the launch of 10-year validity passports alongside the existing 5-year option. The new passports will also feature expanded 48-page versions. For minors under 18, the validity remains fixed at five years, while adults will now be able to choose between five- or ten-year documents.
Authorities say the changes are part of a broader modernization of the national identification system, aimed at improving security and administrative efficiency.
Alongside the new formats, updated fees under Tariff No. 4 for state charges have also come into effect. Identity card prices vary depending on age and status, including reduced rates for people with disabilities.
For passports, the pricing structure is now divided by age group and validity period. Standard five-year passports cost 27 euros for citizens aged 14 to 70, while ten-year passports for the same age group are set at 29 euros. For citizens over 70, the cost is 7 euros for either validity period. Children under 14 receive their first passport for 7 euros, with subsequent issuance priced at 14 euros.
Reduced fees also apply for individuals with at least 50% disability, with significantly lower rates across document categories. Express processing remains available, with costs increased threefold for three-day service and fivefold for issuance within eight working hours.
The Ministry of Interior also opened a new centralized administrative service center near the Business Park metro station in Sofia. With its launch, applications previously handled in the Seventh and Eighth District police departments will be redirected to the new facility.
Officials said the new center will process applications regardless of the applicant’s permanent address, reflecting a shift toward centralized document personalization.
Interior Minister Emil Dechev described the reform as a step toward a more secure and modern system.
“With this step, Bulgaria is not only strengthening its security today, but also its position as an important international partner,” he said, adding that centralized personalization meets higher security standards while maintaining decentralized application submission.
He also recalled that the introduction of the new identity card model began in June 2024 and was later recognized as one of the best in Europe.
“We see a positive example of how different governments in Bulgaria have worked to achieve a common goal,” Dechev noted, stressing that successive administrations, despite political differences, contributed to the implementation of the reform.
The new system marks a transition toward unified processing of identity documents, with authorities presenting it as both a security upgrade and an administrative modernization step.