Kindergarten and school in Bulgaria: enrolment, documents, language
The good news for families: state and municipal kindergartens in Bulgaria are free, and children whose first language is not Bulgarian are entitled to free extra Bulgarian lessons. The hard parts are elsewhere: queues in big cities, address-based points and vaccinations.
Ages: what is compulsory
| Age | What it is | Compulsory? |
|---|---|---|
| 10 months to 3 years | nursery groups (not everywhere) | no |
| 3–4 years | first kindergarten group | no |
| from the school year the child turns 4 | preschool: kindergarten or a school preparatory group | yes |
| 7 (the year the child turns 7) | first grade; from 6 if parents choose and the child is ready | yes |
School stages: grades 1–4 primary, 5–7 lower secondary, 8–12 upper secondary. The school year starts on 15 September.
Kindergarten: how to enrol
- Cost. State and municipal kindergartens charge no monthly fees. Only optional extras (sport, languages, arts) may cost money.
- Where to apply. In big cities, through the municipality's online system. Sofia uses ISODZ (kg.sofia.bg); Plovdiv's first-grade system is priem.plovdiv.bg. In small municipalities you apply to the kindergarten director.
- When. The main round is in spring for September. In Gabrovo, for example, applications run from January to 30 April, results are posted at the end of May and places must be confirmed in early June. Free places are filled during the year.
- Documents. A copy of the birth certificate and a parent's ID to check the address. Before admission, the child's health record and mandatory vaccinations are checked.
Vaccinations. Bring your child's vaccination record translated into Bulgarian. If some vaccines on the Bulgarian schedule are missing, a paediatrician can arrange catch-up shots. Sort this out before you apply.
Points and queues
When there are more applicants than places, children are ranked by points. Each municipality sets its own rules, but the logic is similar. An example from Gabrovo's regulation:
| Criterion | Points |
|---|---|
| Child lives in the kindergarten's district | 6 |
| Twins, orphan, both parents full-time students | 5 |
| Child with a disability or special needs | 4 |
| Sibling already attends the same kindergarten | 3 |
| Large family | 2 |
| A parent's permanent or current address is in the municipality | 1 |
The takeaway: an address registered near the kindergarten earns the most points. Register before you apply — here's how.
School: first grade and moving from abroad
- Cost. State and municipal schools are free.
- First grade. In big cities, enrolment runs in spring through the municipality's online system. You need the child's and parent's EGN or LNCh numbers and addresses that match the register.
- If your child already studied abroad, completed grades are recognised by the Regional Education Office (RUO) for your province. Bring reports or certificates from the previous school with an apostille and a Bulgarian translation — how to prepare them.
- School grant. Pupils in grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 get €153.39 — details.
Bulgarian for your child
Children whose first language is not Bulgarian are entitled to free extra Bulgarian lessons; children of other EU citizens working in Bulgaria are named explicitly. The school or kindergarten director organises them, for example up to 60 sessions for preparatory groups.
💡 Children usually start to understand within a few months at kindergarten or school. Before the move, cartoons and simple books in Bulgarian help most. Parents should start too: you will need the language for school and municipal meetings.
Document checklist
- Child's birth certificate (foreign ones with apostille and translation)
- Child's EGN or LNCh and parents' ID documents
- Address registration in the right district
- Vaccination record with translation, medical documents
- Reports and certificates from the previous school with apostille and translation
- Documents for extra points: employer letter, large-family certificate, etc.
FAQ
How much does kindergarten cost in Bulgaria?
State and municipal kindergartens are free: there are no monthly fees, only optional extras. Private kindergartens cost about €200–700 a month depending on the city.
At what age do children start school in Bulgaria?
First grade starts in the year the child turns 7, or at 6 if parents choose and the child is ready. Preschool is compulsory from the school year the child turns 4.
Will a child who doesn't speak Bulgarian be accepted?
Yes. Such children are entitled to free extra Bulgarian lessons organised by the school or kindergarten.
Do I need address registration to enrol in kindergarten?
In practice, yes: the address earns the most points in the ranking, and without it it is hard to show the child lives in the municipality.
Sources
- Eurydice — free kindergartens and compulsory preschool
- Eurydice — structure of Bulgaria's education system
- Gabrovo municipality kindergarten enrolment regulation (example of rules and points)
- Ordinance No. 6 of 2016 on Bulgarian language (extra lessons)
- Online first-grade enrolment, Plovdiv
- Private kindergarten prices — Numbeo, October 2026
For information only; not legal advice.
