Bulgaria's education responses to the influx of Ukrainian refugees

Together with Decision No. 144, the Asylum and Refugees Act outlines the procedure by which Ukrainian nationals who arrived in Bulgaria on or after 24 February 2022 may register with the national authorities and receive temporary protection status. Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection are issued a registration card with a photograph and a personal number, certifying their legal status.

Access to schools 

The Pre-School and School Education Act (2015, rev. 2023) states that education is free and compulsory until the age of 16 for everyone in Bulgaria, regardless of nationality or residence status. Furthermore, the Act states that education between the ages of 16 and 18 is free for foreign minors granted international protection or admitted to Bulgaria under acts of the Council of Ministers. Given that temporary protection for Ukrainians was introduced by Decision No. 144 of the Council, this provision applies to beneficiaries of temporary protection. Decision No. 144 reaffirms that Ukrainians granted temporary protection may access the national education system on the same terms as Bulgarian citizens.  

According to guidance issued by the Ministry of Education, Ukrainian children and their parents/guardians or representatives must submit an application to the Regional Department of Education (RDE) for admission to state and municipal educational institutions. Upon receipt of the application, the head of the RDE will assign the child to a kindergarten or school and determine placement into the appropriate group or grade level. If a child does not have documents proving completion of prior grade levels, an interview will be conducted according to the procedure outlined in Ordinance No. 3 (2017), which regulates enrolment for beneficiaries of international protection. While Ordinance No. 3 applies specifically to students granted international protection status, it has been interpreted as applying to Ukrainians granted temporary protection status as well.  

Safe learning environment  

No specific policy provisions have been made to ensure safe learning conditions for Ukrainian students. However, both the Child Protection Act (2003) and the Pre-School and School Education Act guarantee the right to a safe and healthy educational environment for all children in Bulgaria. The Pre-School and School Education Act states that school communities should develop and carry out activities for the prevention of harassment and violence. 

Quality learning conditions 

The Pre-School and School Education Act states that all students whose native language is not Bulgarian may benefit from free language instruction to support their educational integration. Ordinance No. 6 of 11 August 2016 on the acquisition of the Bulgarian literary language reaffirms that additional language training will be provided free of charge to support the educational inclusion of children and students who do not speak Bulgarian as their native language, including children granted international protection and other non-nationals of compulsory pre-school and school age. 

While national policies do not specifically address the provision of psychosocial support for Ukrainian learners, the Pre-School and School Education Act states that psychological and personal development support will be provided to all students through the presence of a trained psychologist at each school.  

Access to transitions 

Although no specific provisions have been made to support transitions between grade levels, Ukrainians granted temporary protection enjoy equal access to education and may therefore progress between grade levels on the same basis as nationals.  

Certification of learning 

The Pre-School and School Education Act states that at the end of grade 12, all students may sit for the state matriculation exam or professional qualification exam free of charge. Although no specific policies address access to certification for Ukrainian learners, given that they are granted access to education under the same conditions as Bulgarian nationals, Ukrainians may take the exams free of charge and graduate on the same terms.  

The Asylum and Refugees Act states that individuals who have completed studies or training in Ukraine may practice their profession even if they cannot present documents certifying their qualifications, in accordance with the Law on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications (2008, rev. 2016).   

Access to higher education 

While Ukrainian students may enrol in Bulgarian universities, no specific policies have been introduced to facilitate access to tertiary studies for Ukrainian students, who are treated equally to other non-national students for the purposes of university admissions. The Higher Education Act (1995) grants autonomy to higher education institutions to determine procedures for admission and set tuition fees. Furthermore, Decree No. 79 (2000) states that non-national students in Bulgaria who lack language proficiency must take at least 9 months of Bulgarian language classes before accessing higher education.

Individuals granted temporary protection enjoy freedom of movement within the territory. Article 39 of the Asylum and Refugees Act states that individuals who have been granted temporary protection have the right to labour and professional training, and the Law on Labour Migration and Labour Mobility (2016, rev. 2022) reaffirms that individuals granted temporary protection do not need to obtain prior permission to access the labour market.

While the Asylum and Refugees Act states that individuals granted international protection may apply for citizenship, the same provision does not apply for those granted temporary protection. The Asylum and Refugees Act specifies that an individual granted temporary protection has the right to apply for international protection, but that the application will not be considered until the duration of temporary protection is over. While the EU may extend the TPD through March 2025, it remains to be determined how Member States—including Bulgaria—might provide solutions for Ukrainian citizens to stay legally within the territory if their displacement continues beyond 2025.