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It's a pretty straightforward process, assuming that you have a UK passport. IIRC you'll need the usual proof of health insurance (company cover is fine), plus proof of address, sufficient funds etc - basically the same stuff as when you first got your Residence Permit (it isn't an "ID" as such, although the cops and other BG authorities will usually accept it).

So Jim does that mean the me as a pensioner needing to renew my residence  card February next year needs to take all the stuff I took to get it renewed. By that I mean house deeds, bank statement and so on?

Hi Jim

Thank for the prompt reply, when you mention sufficient funds I assume my salary.. or is it savings? Health cover is provided by my employer. Yep I have a UK passport (the new blue one).

    So Jim does that mean the me as a pensioner needing to renew my residence  card February next year needs to take all the stuff I took to get it renewed. By that I mean house deeds, bank statement and so on?
   

    -@Kath948381

Exactly what they ask for on the day seems to vary; I always take everything, just to avoid a wasted journey and having to come back.  Last time they asked for the notary deed for the house (which was the same one as it always was) but didn't want the rest - I think it depends on which side of the bed they got out of that morning...

    Hi Jim
Thank for the prompt reply, when you mention sufficient funds I assume my salary.. or is it savings? Health cover is provided by my employer. Yep I have a UK passport (the new blue one).
   

    -@DSinghDhillon

Payslips should be fine - it's just to show that you can support yourself - plus tenancy agreement/notary act as applicable, but it varies every time in my experience...best to take everything you've got, just in case!

Thank you Jim will do I'll just take everything I had to last time.

@JimJ

Thank you

hi my daughter is a dependent of my self and husband and she as just had her new passport and her ID is up august do we have to take just passport to update or more, she has health fund insurance in her own right that is long term and long term showing on her ID thank you .

@geoffreywebb21

It's best to take EVERYTHING that could possibly be relevant, including all the documentation for you and your wife since she's a dependant. They won't ask for, or want to see, the vast majority but it's better to have too much than too little...

@DSinghDhillon You might have an issue if you didn't replace your card with an article 50 one prior to the deadline, hopefully not but something to consider if you still have the old style card.

@DSinghDhillon

It's a 2018 card, so it expired last year? Or it's a 2019 card, expiring later this year?

The latter is obviously better, but even the former should be OK.

You were supposed to have already swapped it for an Article 50 (Brexit) card, but I think the penalty is a small fine, rather than any big deal.

The main issue is that you got here before Brexit, and got a residence permit, and have therefore acquired "residence rights" under the Withdrawal Agreement.

I would therefore expect them to issue you with a 10-year Permanent Residence permit with minimal aggravation (i.e. neither expensive nor stressful). You might only need proof of address.

Have a look at this link for guidance. You'll note there was a deadline date, but I believe Bulgaria is not treating it as a hard deadline (i.e. small admin fine as mentioned above, not loss of your rights). In any case, this is what you should try first!

@PlovdivEd

Thank you for the info and reply.

@gwynj

Hi, appreciate the reply.

The card was issued on the 4th of June 2019 and is set to expire on the 2nd June this year.

I wasn't aware of the Article 50 notice, so am prepared to to take the hit on that one.

I don't have a rental agreement as I live with my partner and our daughter.

My partner owns the property where we currently live (Sofia) but at the time of registration the address was in Smolyn.

I understand I will have to go to Smolyn to do this as she still has a property there too.

My partner spoke to a friend of a friend who is in the police and was told that I need to show savings of a large amount, something I'm not in a position to do so. Is this an obstacle or not necessary as I'm working in Sofia and have been contributed since early 2021?

Appreciate your feedback and thoughts.

@DSinghDhillon

That's what I figured (2019 issued, rather than 2018).

I don't think there's any significant "hit" for not swapping for Article 50 card before now, I doubt it's anything to worry about. (In fact, I wonder if it's already an Article 50 card as issued in 2019, just before Brexit. Have a gander at your card.)

I also don't think you have to go back to where you got the first card. I'd guess it's fine to go to Sofia immigration if you live in Sofia. (But also OK to go to Smolyan as you have property there, so whatever is easiest for you.) They need two documents for a rental: a rental contract and a landlord declaration. So your missus should write something equivalent to these documents, and get it/them notarized, together with a copy of her Notary Act. Even better if she goes to immigration with you.

I would take everything to immigration: your missus, your child, your job contract, your proof of full health cover in Bulgarian system, a stamped statement of your savings in a Bulgarian bank. It all helps! :-) But I really don't think they can turn you down for your PR, and I suspect the main requirement is the proof of address part (i.e. that you have a place to live).

The link for Brexit applications, included this application form.

You'll note that it says you can get a PR if you have "resided legally and continuously in the Republic of Bulgaria for a period of five years". Which you've done, so I think they owe you a PR just based on that. :-) And it asks you to confirm if you're employed OR you have health insurance and sufficient financial resources. You have 5 years AND employed AND health/financial. It's a slam-dunk, innit. :-)

@DSinghDhillon

I think that the "sufficient funds" requirement is around 8,000 leva but I don't know how strict they are on that - I've heard of people with a lot less not having any problem.  If you're working then I believe that is good enough for them as the minimum funds are based on c1 year's minimum wage.

@JimJ

thank you jimj