In connection with the “EU Blue Card” type residence and work permit received by foreign citizens, the issue of health insurance for their family members who wish to reside in Bulgaria arises.
It should be borne in mind that in order for a person to be liable for health insurance in Bulgaria, he should be within the scope of the persons who are compulsorily insured by law.
Foreign citizens who have been issued a residence and work permit of the “EU Blue Card” type are included in the circle of persons who are compulsorily insured in the National Health Insurance Fund. The rights of this category of persons arise from the date of obtaining the residence and work permit type “EU Blue Card”.
However, there are no provisions in the law to regulate the mandatory health insurance of the family members of a foreign citizen with an EU Blue Card residence and work permit. For this reason, with regard to their mandatory health insurance, the general procedure provided for foreign citizens applies. According to it, foreign citizens or stateless persons who are permitted long-term or permanent residence in Bulgaria are compulsorily insured in the National Health Insurance Fund, unless otherwise provided in an international treaty to which Bulgaria is a party.
In view of the above, in case the family members of “EU Blue Card” holders have a long-term or permanent residence in Bulgaria, they will fall under the scope of compulsorily insured persons.
It should be borne in mind that if there is a ratified, promulgated and entered into force international agreement on social security, to which Bulgaria is a party, and in the scope of which health services are included within the framework of mandatory health insurance, then the order applies, provided for in the international agreement.
In the event that the family members of a person with an EU Blue Card-type residence and work permit enter Bulgaria from the territory of another EU member state, it is possible that they may fall under the scope of the EU coordination regulations on their own and to be subject to compulsory health insurance in Bulgaria, provided that, based on Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, the Bulgarian insurance legislation is applicable to them.
For consultation regarding health insurance of foreigners, you can contact our experts.