Factsheet for measure
BG-2022-18/2858
–
Updated
– measures in Bulgaria
Duration of health insurance for persons with temporary protection
Срок на действие на здравното осигуряване на лица с временна закрил
Background information
The Law on Health Insurance changed in order to respond to the needs of Ukrainian refugees. Adult Ukrainians will now have their health insurance covered by the state for a 90 day period following the date of the start of their temporary protection status. This change allows Ukrainian refugees to receive medical care under the same provisions as Bulgarian citizens.
Content of measure
The status of temporary protection granted is certified by an alien registration card issued by the State Agency for Refugees (Art. 41, para. 1, item 5 of the LRA).
People granted temporary protection as a vulnerable group shall receive the necessary medical care under the same provisions as Bulgarian citizens.
People who are categorised as 'vulnerable' include: minors, unaccompanied minors, disabled persons, elderly persons, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, victims of human trafficking, persons with severe health problems, persons with mental disorders and persons who have suffered torture, rape or other serious forms of mental, physical or sexual violence.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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10 March 2023
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On 5 July 2022 the Ministry Council adopted the Decree on health insurance for persons with temporary protection status, Bulgarian citizens and persons with dual Bulgarian and foreign citizenship arriving from Ukraine.
On 25 July, the term of the health insurance of persons who received temporary protection in Bulgaria before 26 April 2022 expired. After that date, the health insurance must be paid for by the persons with temporary protection themselves. Exceptions are children under 18 and adults – over 63 for women and over 65 for men for whom the health insurance contributions will be at the expense of the state for the entire period of temporary protection.
The health insurance is covered by the state budget for all persons under the age of 18, in full-time education up to the completion of secondary education but not later than the age of 22, in full-time education up to the age of 26 or retired.
The amount of the monthly health contribution is BGN 28.40. The amount is paid by the 25 of the month following the one to which it refers. The health contribution for the month of August 2022 year must be paid by 25 September at the latest.
If the person is employed, they must pay monthly health insurance contributions (8% of the salary). In case of self-employment, the person needs to pay monthly contributions in person.
If one is registered as unemployed with the Labour Office and receive unemployment benefit, the health insurance is covered by the state for the period of unemployment benefit.
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Use of measure
As of July 2022, there are 87,000 Ukrainians in Bulgaria, of which 39,000 are children, according to the data of the unified portal "BG for Ukraine."
Ukrainian citizens can reference their health insurance status and check their missing health insurance contributions, through
NAP's electronic service
.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Does not apply to workers
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Does not apply to businesses
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Migrants or refugees
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Local / regional government
EU (Council, EC, EP)
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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No involvement
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No involvement
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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No involvement
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
The social partners were not involved in designing and implementing this registration initiative. The government, together with the European Commission, initiated and organised the nationwide registration system.
Views and reactions
The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) supports the Resolution on Ukraine, which was approved at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation on 16 and 17 March.
The Resolution insists for full implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive through solidarity and shared responsibility between EU Member States. This measure guarantees the full range of rights, which include equal access to healthcare as the Bulgarian citizens.
No other views about the health insurance of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria are publicly expressed by social partners.
Sources
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05 May 2022: The state will pay for the health insurance of the refugees from Ukraine
(dariknews.bg)
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05 May 2022: A decree was adopted on health insurance for persons with the status of temporary protection
(www.mh.government.bg)
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30 May 2022: Many questions. Why is it so difficult to provide medical care to Ukrainians?
(www.svobodnaevropa.bg)
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11 July 2022: Until when does the state cover the health insurance of persons with temporary protection
(ukraine.gov.bg)
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12 July 2022: The health insurance of Ukrainians, which is covered by the state, is expiring
(bnr.bg)
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25 July 2022: What happens after the end of free health insurance for refugees?
(bnr.bg)
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10 October 2022: Healthcare for newly recognised refugees and humanitarian status holders
(refugee.bg)
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27 October 2022: Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection should follow their health insurance status
(ukraine.gov.bg)
