site.btaNational Social Security Institute Informs of December 31 Deadline for Submitting Life Declaration for Pensioners Outside EU

All persons receiving a Bulgarian pension and living abroad are required to submit a so-called life declaration in order to continue receiving it, the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) said.

A new section has been added to the Pensions and Insurance Length of Service Ordinance to allow for the payment of pensions to individuals who are permanently resident in countries that are not covered by international treaties or European regulations, the NSSI noted. This applies to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Japan, as well as to people in Turkiye to whom the agreement for the payment of pensions through the Turkish Social Security Institute does not apply. Persons with permanent residence abroad are those for whom there is evidence that they do not have a current address in Bulgaria. 

The procedure for submitting declarations does not change for pensioners in the EU and in countries with active agreements. Persons receiving a pension in Turkiye through the Turkish Social Security Institute continue to submit a declaration in January and in July. Pensioners in countries outside the EU and outside the scope of international treaties have to submit a declaration annually in the period November 1 - December 31. For 2025, the deadline is December 31, and the certification by an official body must be dated after November 1, the NSSI pointed out.