Expats Don't Owe Health Insurance Money to Bulgaria

The headquarters of the National Revenue Agency in downtown Sofia. Photo by Sofia Photo Agnecy

Bulgarian citizens, who have left the country, can be exempt from the obligation to pay for health insurance in Bulgaria, even for earlier periods of time.

This is an amendment to the Health Insurance Act, which was voted by the Parliament along with the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK). The information was reported by the National Revenue Agency, NRA.

Until now, the law allowed the exemption only for future periods of time. The amendment comes as tax relief for Bulgarians living mainly abroad, but still listed as having obligations to the country's health care system.

It gives expats, who have left the country before December 31, 2011, but failed to notify NRA, an extension until December 31, 2012, to do so. They must submit a formal request and a declaration with the NRA local office, according to their permanent address in Bulgaria. Documents can be sent via regular mail.

The amendment is effective January 1, 2012, but NRA offices will accept these documents during work days between Christmas and New Year's. Directions on the needed documentation will be published on the NRA site in the next couple of days.

Additional information can be obtained from NRA's information center by dialing 0700 18 700 – the cost is the one of a regular long distance call. Bulgarians abroad can also ask questions via email at infocenter@nra.bg.

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