The government approved changes to the "Program for Humanitarian Support and Integration of Displaced Persons from Ukraine Granted Temporary Protection in the Republic of Bulgaria" (Program 3), adopted under Decision No. 278 of May 2, 2025, the government press office announced. Support and integration measures will continue until March 4, 2027. Temporary protection for refugees from the war remains in effect until then. It began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

With the changes, the state now has clear legal and administrative grounds to manage the program lawfully going forward. The revision was needed to close gaps in the rules. Stricter controls and individual needs assessments are being introduced. The goal is to ensure aid reaches those who need it, with transparency and protection of the public interest.

Some of the amendments stem from a final ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court on appealed provisions of Program 3. The court ordered that all children under the age of 18 be explicitly included as an at-risk group.

The rule requiring that support be provided only if a child is accompanied by one parent has also been dropped. When a child lives with both parents and they are actually caring for the child, the situation of the entire family will be assessed together. The child's best interests and keeping the family intact will be the guiding priorities.

Whether accommodation is needed will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Factors taken into account will include the health of the child and the family, their income and ability to find housing on their own, and other circumstances. The criteria for proving vulnerability on health grounds are also being refined. When support is suspended, a formal procedure with stated reasons will now be required. The mechanism for approving and disbursing funds is being made clearer.

With the approved changes, Program 3 will continue to operate, but under clearer rules, with stricter controls and better protection for both vulnerable people and the public interest.

The cabinet also approved changes to the other assistance program for people displaced from Ukraine — the "Program for Humanitarian Support of Displaced Persons from Ukraine Granted Temporary Protection in the Republic of Bulgaria" (Program 2), adopted under Council of Ministers Decision No. 317 of May 20, 2022. Unlike Program 3, this program is being gradually phased out, and the new rules are meant to bring final resolution to all remaining applicant claims.

People whose assistance claims were rejected in whole or in part, and who have filed an appeal, objection or other request for review without yet receiving a final decision on their case, will be able to request a one-time reconsideration. However, no new names, new overnight stays or new reporting periods will be accepted, and double funding remains excluded.

A separate procedure is provided for people whose applications were rejected in whole or in part but for whom there is no record that the decision was properly communicated to them. The Ministry of Tourism will proactively identify these cases and notify those affected of their options for obtaining a final response.

Requests for reconsideration may be submitted until October 31, 2026. All applications and claims must be reviewed and concluded with a reasoned decision by February 25, 2027, and by March 31, 2027, the Ministry of Tourism must complete all administrative, financial, accounting and technical actions related to the program.

The goal of the changes, the cabinet explained, is to ensure that the remaining cases under Program 2 are resolved uniformly, lawfully and conclusively, protecting applicants' interests while preventing double or improper funding.

As a reminder, in February the caretaker government extended temporary protection for people displaced from Ukraine on Bulgarian territory by one year, effective from March 4, 2026. In early April, the Council of Ministers allocated €126,000 for 2026 to the Ministry of Health so that the funds could reach the Bulgarian Red Cross for the implementation of the program for humanitarian support and integration of people displaced from Ukraine under temporary protection in Bulgaria.