Financial aid

Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration

Through the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Program (AVRR), IOM assists you to return to your country of origin.

The program will assist with a return only if it is determined safe. Check with IOM about your case.

You can apply for assisted voluntary return and reintegration if:

Assistance for human trafficking survivors

Human trafficking is when someone uses force, threat, deception or similar methods to force a person into labor, sexual exploitation, begging or committing crimes.

Victims of human trafficking can be women, children and men of all ages.

You may be in a situation of human trafficking if:

Services for people fleeing the war in Ukraine 

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOM Bulgaria provides the following types of support:

Legal, social and psychological support

• Legal counseling
• Social support
• Psychological counseling
• Referrals for services
• Transport to services (social services, hospitals, visits to doctors/specialists, etc.) and interpretation during these visits (This service is provided based on a needs assessment) 

Language classes

IOM conducts Bulgarian language classes for people fleeing the war in Ukraine for the levels A1 and/or A2. 

The classes are appropriate for migrants who are residing legally in Bulgaria as well as for asylum seekers and people who have received international protection in the country.

The training consists of 120 academic hours and each participant receives a Bulgarian language proficiency certificate for the relevant level after successfully passing an exam at the end of the course.

Financial assistance program for Ukrainian citizens seeking protection in Bulgaria until 15 Devember 2023 
Individuals should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Household with at least one person with a disability - first priority
• Household with one or more persons over 65 years of age - second priority

If you meet any of these criteria, you can apply for financial support by downloading the app to register and completing the application form. You can do this at the following link: 

Integrational information center in Sofia 

The center provides the following services:

Humanitarian Assistance Centres in Burgas, Varna, Dobrich, Plovdiv, Ruse, Sofia and Yambol

The centers provide support to people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, refugees and asylum seekers from third countries, homeless Bulgarian citizens and people in crisis.

The BRC staff and volunteers provide hot drinks and snacks, psychosocial support, as well as information on additional assistance and where it can be obtained. If necessary, basic sanitary materials can be provided and first aid can be administered.