This page provides accurate and updated information related to recent events in Syria. Whether you plan to remain in Bulgaria, are considering returning to Syria, or have questions related to your rights and access to services, you can find information you need on this page.
Returning home is a personal decision that should be fully informed, voluntary and take place in conditions of safety and dignity. It is a choice only you and your family can make. UNHCR continues to call on host countries to permit short-term visits by Syrian refugees to their place of origin in Syria to visit their families and homes without impact to their legal status, and to refrain from forcible returns to Syria.
To support informed decision making about continued stay in host countries or return to Syria UNHCR has created Syria is Home, where you can find information on legal steps, documents, housing, healthcare, and education.
Considerations for Syrian refugees in Bulgaria
Is UNHCR Bulgaria considering go-and-see visits to Syria?
At the moment, UNHCR is not arranging transportation or facilitating go-and-see visits to Syria. UNHCR is also not providing repatriation grants prior to return or after return
How do I contact the Syrian embassy / consulate in Bulgaria?
The Syrian Embassy in Bulgaria is located in the city of Sofia at the address 13 A, Simeonovsko Shosse Boulevard. If you wish to contact the Embassy, you can do so through its phone number +359 2 962 5742, or its email address [email protected].
What are the available services for Syrian refugees in Bulgaria?
All refugees and asylum seekers in Bulgaria have certain rights and responsibilities while in the country. You can find out more about the rights and responsibilities related to asylum seekers in the below links:
- Rights and Obligations of Asylum seekers
- Rights and Obligations of refugees / persons granted subsidiary protection
In addition, you can find more information about services and types of assistance available in the country at the Assistance and Services section of this Help Webpage.
Relevant considerations when planning returning to Syria
The decision to return to Syria is a deeply personal one, and it should always be fully informed, voluntary and take place in conditions of safety and dignity.
While the recent developments in Syria present an opportunity for Syria to move forward and for Syrian refugees and internally displaced people to think about returning home, it is too early for UNHCR to advise about the situation in areas of intended returns, as it is expected to continue to evolve.
UNHCR and partners are monitoring the situation inside Syria closely. At present, we cannot provide confirmed or accurate information about the current security situation inside Syria.
It is not up to UNHCR or anyone else to make the decision to return on behalf of refugees. Refugees are best placed to make that decision based on their individual circumstances, family situation, and conditions in their home country. UNHCR continues to call on host countries to permit short-term visits by Syrian refugees to their place of origin without impact to their legal status, and to refrain from forcible returns to Syria. UNHCR believes it is important for refugees to be able to assess conditions firsthand in their area of intended return, such as through short ‘go-and-see’ visits.
UNHCR believes it is important for refugees to be able to assess conditions firsthand in their area of intended return, such as through short ‘go-and-see’ visits.
Important notes:
- UNHCR is not currently facilitating any visits to Syria. However, UNHCR believes it is important for refugees to be able to assess conditions in their area of intended return, such as through short ‘go-and-see’. UNHCR will continue to advocate for this possibility with concerned States.
- UNHCR cannot guarantee the practices at border crossing points.
- UNHCR cannot guarantee that anyone departing their country of asylum to conduct a short visit to Syria can re-enter again.
What is the situation inside Syria?
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria and is committed to staying and delivering.
The volatile security situation in the past has forced suspension of some of UNHCR’s services, but in areas where security has stabilised, UNHCR has resumed activities to reach those most in need.
For further information about the situation in Syria and services available please visit: https://syriaishome.org/en/
Is financial or travel support available for refugees returning to Syria?
UNHCR is not currently facilitating any visits to Syria. UNHCR is not arranging transportation or facilitating go-and-see visits to Syria. UNHCR is also not providing repatriation grants prior to return or after return.
Legal status in Bulgaria
Can my protection status in Bulgaria be terminated due to the changes in the situation in Syria?
At present, revocation or termination of the international protection status of Syrian nationals in Bulgaria is not being considered. In addition, the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees continue to receive and process asylum applications of Syrian nationals in the country.
International protection (refugee status or humanitarian status) is only terminated if and when the situation in the country of origin has substantially changed and the reasons and conditions for the granting of international protection no longer subsist. Although this is not deemed to be the case in Syria at this stage, countries will continue to assess future developments in Syria.
Should you want to return to Syria, it is important that you note:
If you are still in the asylum procedure and wish to leave Bulgaria, you should submit a request to the State Agency for Refugees to withdraw your application. Based on this, the Chairperson of SAR will issue a decision terminating the procedure. Once the decision enters into force, you no longer have the right to remain.
If you have already been granted international protection and would like to permanently return to Syria, you need to submit a request to the State Agency for Refugees to have the protection ceased. The Chairperson of SAR should issue a decision terminating your protection within one month after the submission of the request. Once the decision enters into force, you will have to return the Bulgarian identity documents that have been issued to you and depart the country.
Generally, there is no set deadline to leave the country. If the return process is ongoing, it is not likely that the authorities will take enforcement measures.
Will the current situation in Syria impact my family reunification application/right to seek family reunification in Bulgaria?
The State Agency for Refugees continues to regularly process family reunification applications by Syrian nationals granted international protection.
Where can I find legal assistance concerning my refugee status should I need it?
You may reach out to UNHCR’s partner, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC). See more information on Assistance and Services section of the Help Page.
Can Syrian nationals still apply for international protection in Bulgaria?
The State Agency for Refugees continues to receive and process asylum applications from Syrian nationals in Bulgaria. Please visit the section “Applying for asylum in Bulgaria” for more information about the asylum procedure.
Movement procedures
Can I return to Syria overland via Türkiye?
Voluntary return procedures between Türkiye and Syria are only available to Syrians who hold temporary protection status in Türkiye.
If you are a Syrian national and a recipient of temporary protection in Türkiye, you can undertake voluntary return procedure at border crossing points. However, UNHCR cannot guarantee practices at each border point. For more information on traveling to Syria from Türkiye please visit: https://help.unhcr.org/turkiye/volrep/movement-procedures/.
Syrians from third countries (including dual nationals and holders of refugee status in a third country) cannot undergo voluntary return procedures at border points between Türkiye and Syria. Persons falling under these categories can travel to Syria via commercial air travel (traveling on flights transiting though Turkey is permitted).
In addition, it is important to note that Syrians returning from Bulgaria overland will need a visa to enter Türkiye.
What travel documents do I need should I decide to return to Syria?
Syrians returning to the country need to present valid identification documents, such as a Syrian national passport or identity card, for entry into Syria.
For those without passports or identify cards but with recorded events in the Syrian civil registries (such as birth, marriage, death, etc.), immigration officials at the borders have indicated that entry will still be permitted following a verification of identity. However, there are no official details available on the verification process itself.
Syrian diplomatic missions abroad are also authorized to issue temporary travel documents for Syrian nationals without identity documents seeking to return to Syria.
Will be Syrian ID documents and passport issued by the former government be valid on my return to Syria?
Yes. There have not been any changes to the officially issued passports or identity cards.
I wish to return to Syria but lack important documents, what should I do?
Syrian diplomatic missions abroad are authorized to issue temporary travel documents for Syrian nationals without identity documents seeking to return to Syria. If you wish to contact the local Syrian mission, the Embassy can be contacted through its phone number +359 2 962 5742, or its email address [email protected].
For more information, please visit https://syriaishome.org/en/faq/
What other civil documents do I need?
In addition to bringing identity documents (e.g. national ID, passports etc.), it is very important that, if possible, you also take any official records of civil events such as birth, marriage, divorce, death which may have taken place during your time in Bulgaria. Take any documents which you have obtained in Bulgaria.
Without your civil documentation you may risk your civil events not being recognized in Syria once you return. This could result in children born overseas not being able to prove their Syrian nationality; inability to access inheritance or to prove ownership/ use of family houses and property.
Post-return to Syria
Is UNHCR providing support and services inside Syria?
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria. One hundred UNHCR supported community centers are operating across the country. These centers offer a range of services, including but not limited to mental health and psychosocial support, medical support, child friendly spaces, education assistance and more.
The centers also provide legal counselling and guidance on obtaining civil documentation, such as birth certificates, marriage registrations, and ID cards.
For more information on support services available inside Syria please visit https://syriaishome.org/en/faq/ and UNHCR Syria HELP Page.
Can I enroll my children in public school in Syria?
Yes, you can enroll your children in public schools in Syria at any time during the school year. You may be asked to provide your children’s educational transcripts from Bulgaria for their academic equivalency assessment. Please make sure to take these with you.
If these documents are unavailable, students in grades 1 to 8 must take a placement test in Syria to determine their academic level. Students without an accredited Grade 9 certificate must take the Grade 9 standard exam administered by the Syrian Ministry of Education.
Formal basic or secondary education documents can be obtained from the school your child attended in Bulgaria. If possible, wait until the end of the school year before leaving Bulgaria, so that your child can obtain a certificate for the completion of the grade in which he/she is enrolled. If not possible, make sure to take a document from the school which mentions the grade your child was enrolled in before your departure. Take any documents from previously completed grades, if any.
If you have completed university education in Bulgaria, make sure to take the original certificate along with the academic record. In case you have not completed your university studies, take a document on the subjects already completed. Request all these documents from your university.
Any certificates from informal education or training may also be useful when returning to Syria. As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, stay informed on procedures. For more information about school enrollment, contact a community center in Syria: unhcr.org/sy/cc
I have family members or friends missing in Syria, can I get help to find them or help for them?
If you lost contact with a family member due to conflict, migration, or disaster, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) provide family tracing services to help families reconnect with missing loved ones.
Family tracing is not a guarantee that a lost family member will be found, and tracing can sometimes take months or years.
However, ICRC will collect information that may help clarify the fate and whereabouts of the missing family members. When tracing is successful, ICRC will inform families of the whereabouts of their loved ones and, when possible, help to reunite those families.
To start the process of family tracing, you can contact the following helplines:
- Former detainees who need support to communicate with and be reunited with their families can call: 0953555431.
- Families searching for their loved ones, including former detainees can call: 0936033628.
Families can also contact ICRC offices in Damascus and Rural Damascus, Aleppo or Homs directly with the usual Protection of Family Links phone number:
- Damascus: Mob: 093 600 112 / Tel: 011 338 060 00
- Aleppo: Mob: 093 003 8337 / Tel: 02 122 147 00
- Homs: Mob: 093 603 3624 / Tel: 03 122 333 22
The helplines are working from Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on official holidays.