Can I use an expired ID card?
No — there is a deadline and a fine. The ID card is issued for 4 years for people aged 14 to 18 and 10 years for those aged 18 to 70. For people over 70 it can be issued without an expiry date. The application to renew must be filed within 30 days of expiry — you can also do it earlier, which is advisable so you are never left without a valid document. Miss the deadline and the fine is BGN 50 to 250 (≈€26–128). From January 2026 the fee is BGN 30 for a 10-year document and BGN 21 for a 4-year one. With an expired card you cannot prove your identity to institutions and banks, sign deeds before a notary, or travel within the EU on it.
📋 The rules
- Validity: 10 years (18–70); 4 years (14–18)
- Over 70: the card may have no expiry date
- Application to renew: within 30 days of expiry
- Missed deadline: fine BGN 50–250 (≈€26–128)
- Fee from 2026: BGN 30 (10 yrs) and BGN 21 (4 yrs)
🔓 Exceptions
- You may replace the document before its validity expires
- On theft or loss, replacement is mandatory and must be declared
- People over 70 can receive an ID card with no expiry date
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If you do not apply for a new ID card within the 30-day period after it expires, the fine is BGN 50 to 250 (≈€26–128). With an expired card you cannot prove your identity to institutions and banks, sign deeds before a notary, or travel within the EU on that document.
📎 Official sources
- Ministry of the Interior · Bulgarian identity documents →
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Issuing ID cards →
- BNT · ID card fees rise from January 2026 →
❓ Frequently asked
How long is an ID card valid?
Ten years for people aged 18 to 70, and four years for those aged 14 to 18. For people over 70 it can be issued without an expiry date.
How long do I have to renew?
The application must be filed within 30 days of the card expiring. You can replace it earlier too, before it runs out — advisable, so you avoid any period without a valid document.
What is the fine for an expired ID card?
BGN 50 to 250 (≈€26–128), if you did not apply within the 30-day window after expiry. The fine is for missing the deadline, rather than for carrying an expired document as such.
How much does it cost to issue?
From January 2026 the fee is BGN 30 for a card with 10-year validity and BGN 21 for a 4-year one — an increase on the previous BGN 18 and BGN 13.
Can I travel on an expired ID card?
No. With an expired document you cannot travel within the EU, nor prove your identity to institutions, banks or a notary. A notarial deed will not be executed on an expired document.
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