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Health · Bulgaria
Updated September 2026

💜 I care for a family member — what support can I get, and where?

Direct answer

Caring for a relative is work, and most countries now recognise it with respite care, a carer's allowance or benefit, leave rights and free advice — but only if you ask. Агенция за социално подпомагане — Дирекция „Социално подпомагане“ / ТЕЛК (asp.government.bg) assesses the person you care for and your own needs and unlocks home help and respite; НЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекар (0800 14 800) is the carers' organisation for Bulgaria with practical advice, peer groups and help with the paperwork; Община — инспекторат / ГРАО (namrb.org) handles local services and, in many countries, the carer's allowance.

Call firstАгенция за социално подпомагане — Дирекция „Социално подпомагане“ / ТЕЛК
Report toНЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекар
If that failsОбщина — инспекторат / ГРАО

🗣️ What to say

"I care for my [relative] who has [condition] for about [hours] per week. I would like a needs assessment for them and a carer's assessment for myself, and information about respite care, allowances and leave from work."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Ask for both assessmentsThe person cared for and you. The carer's assessment is the one people forget — it opens respite and money.
  2. Talk to НЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекарThey know the local rules, the forms, and the tricks; peer groups keep you sane.
  3. MoneyCarer's allowance or a personal budget the cared-for person can use to pay you; pension credits for caring years in several countries.
  4. WorkEU rules give carers' leave and the right to request flexible work; your employer has to answer in writing.
  5. RespiteDay care, short stays, replacement care at home — arranged through Агенция за социално подпомагане — Дирекция „Социално подпомагане“ / ТЕЛК or Община — инспекторат / ГРАО. Take it before you burn out, not after.

📇 All contacts

Агенция за социално подпомагане — Дирекция „Социално подпомагане“ / ТЕЛКSocial services, personal assistance, disability decisionsFor care and support🔗 asp.government.bg
НЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекарGP choice, insurance rights, complaintsFor finding a doctor and coverage questions📞 0800 14 800🔗 www.nhif.bg
Община — инспекторат / ГРАОNuisances, roads, waste, registration, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.namrb.org
НОИ / Агенция за социално подпомагане — обжалванеBenefits, overpayments, appealsWithin 14 days of the decision📞 0700 14 802🔗 www.nssi.bg

❓ Frequently asked

Can I be paid to care?

In many countries yes, through a personal budget or a direct carer's benefit; conditions and amounts differ. НЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекар explains the local scheme.

I cannot cope any more

Say exactly that to Агенция за социално подпомагане — Дирекция „Социално подпомагане“ / ТЕЛК — it triggers emergency respite. And talk to your GP; carer burnout is a medical issue.

Does caring count for my pension?

Several countries credit caring years; ask the pension office or НЗОК / РЗОК — избор на личен лекар.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “carer support Bulgaria”
  • “carers allowance Bulgaria”
  • “respite care how to apply”
  • “caring for parent help”
  • “carer leave rights”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

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