More than 1,000 people in Bulgaria have applied for free legal aid so far this year, the Justice Ministry said on Sunday.
Since the start of 2026, the National Legal Aid Bureau (NLAB) has reviewed 19,740 reports filed by lawyers and paid the corresponding fees.
The ministry said those eligible for free legal aid include people with low or no income; recipients of social assistance; children; people with disabilities; victims of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking; foreign nationals and people seeking international protection; and other groups specified by law.
Across Bulgaria, 27 regional consultation centres operate in association with local bar associations. People with incomes at or below the official poverty line can receive free advice from a lawyer at these centres, the ministry added.
The National Legal Aid Helpline, 0700 18 250, has operated since 2013, providing advice from lawyers on working days between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Special safeguards also apply to unaccompanied children who have sought international protection in Bulgaria. Legal aid is mandatory in these cases, and the NLAB appoints a lawyer to represent each child, the ministry explained.
Legal aid covers more than courtroom representation, the ministry said. It can include advice, preparing documents to bring a court case or for administrative proceedings, representation outside court, representation in legal proceedings and legal assistance for people in detention.
Lawyers listed in the National Legal Aid Register provide the assistance. The NLAB manages and coordinates the system, provides legal aid in cases specified by law and pays lawyers for their work. The Justice Minister is responsible for state policy in this area, while bar councils organize legal aid locally.
Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the promulgation of the Legal Aid Act, the ministry said. The law established a mechanism through which the state ensures access to legal representation for people who meet the statutory requirements and cannot afford to pay for it themselves.
In September, Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva said more than 5,000 protection orders had been issued in 2025, adding that few people recognized the signs of domestic violence.
Over 1,000 People Apply for Free Legal Aid in 2026 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-04 14:54:38
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BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-10-04 14:54:38
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