Protection from domestic violence

Created on 06.08.2025

You have the right to protection from domestic violence regardless of your status in Bulgaria – whether you are in the process of obtaining international protection, have been granted asylum, refugee or humanitarian status, have been granted temporary protection, or are a stateless person. 

In this article, you will learn more about what domestic violence is, who you can turn to for help, and how you can get protection. 

I. What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is any physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence, as well as attempts at such violence, coercive restrictions on personal life, personal freedom, and personal rights committed against persons who are related, who are or have been in a family relationship, who live together, or who are in an intimate relationship.

Here are some examples:

• Physical violence occurs, for example, if you are pushed, hit, slapped, etc.; if you are threatened with violence; if you are threatened with a weapon; if you are locked up and prevented from leaving your home; if you are prevented from seeking medical help when needed; if your children are beaten or threatened with violence;
• Psychological or emotional violence includes, for example, if you are constantly insulted and criticized; if you are mocked and/or humiliated; if you are forbidden to go to work or meet other people, including your relatives and friends; if you are not allowed to make phone calls; if you are being threatenend to be thrown out of the house or have your children taken away, etc. Important! Any domestic violence witnessed by a child is considered psychological abuse.
• Economic violence occurs, for example, if someone completely controls your finances, prevents you from working, studying, or making your own decisions about what to do with your income.
• Sexual violence occurs, for example, in the following cases:
• Rape – this includes all types of sexual penetration that is performed without consent, regardless of whether physical violence is used. Initial consent can be withdrawn at any time during the act and automatically affects consent for future acts. Rape can occur even when committed against a spouse or intimate partner. Attempted rape is also violence and is punishable by law.
• Any other sexual act or attempt to perform such an act without your consent. For example: unwanted comments or propositions, touching, and any action that you find humiliating, including trafficking, coercion into prostitution, etc.

II. Who can commit domestic violence?

Domestic violence occurs when it is committed by:

• Your spouse or ex-spouse;
• A person with whom you live (or have lived) in a domestic partnership, even if you are not married, or a person with whom you have an intimate relationship;
• a person with whom you have a child (regardless of whether you live together);
• a relative—mother/father, siblings, children, grandchildren, as well as more distant relatives—uncle/aunt, cousin;
• A relative of your spouse or the person with whom you live in a family relationship – mother/father, brothers/sisters, children, grandchildren, as well as more distant relatives – uncle/aunt, cousin, etc. 
• A person who is your guardian, custodian, or caregiver, if you are a child;
• The spouse or person with whom your parent lives in a family relationship or is in an intimate relationship with.

III. How can I protect myself from domestic violence?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can seek help from:

• The police;
• A doctor/nurse providing medical assistance;
• Social workers or security guards at reception centers;
• A psychologist, if you have access to one;
• Your lawyer;
• UNHCR or IOM staff or other organizations that you think can help you;
• Staff of the State Agency for Refugees;
• Anyone you trust and believe can help you, such as a friend or other family member;

Remember that what happened to you is not your fault.

In cases of domestic violence, you have the right:

• To be treated with respect and recognized as a victim.
• To be protected from threats and harm from the perpetrator.
• To receive support, including immediate assistance after the violence has occurred, medical assistance, accommodation in a crisis center, long-term physical and psychological assistance, and practical assistance during the proceedings to help you understand the process and limit your suffering.
• To request an interpreter of your gender.
• To legal assistance.
• all information you share with all authorities, social workers, psychologists, and lawyers is kept confidential.

Important! If you are afraid to share your problems, you can contact the 24-hour National Hotline for Victims of Violence at +35980018676/ +359 2981 7686. It is completely anonymous and free of charge.

The hotline staff will provide you with advice and information about your options, what you can do to protect yourself, and which institutions and authorities you should contact to get the help you need.

Important! If you have been a victim of domestic violence, under Bulgarian law you can seek protection from the court. Below you will learn how to do this.

IV. How do I request protection from the court in Bulgaria?

You can submit an application to the regional court in the place where you live. For example, if you live in Sofia, this is the Sofia Regional Court; in Plovdiv –  the Plovdiv Regional Court, etc.

You can submit the application in person if you are over 14 years of age. If you are under 14 years of age or have been placed under guardianship, such an application may be submitted by your guardian or custodian, as well as by the person who cares for you.

Important! An application for protection may also be submitted by the director of the Social Assistance Directorate or by the prosecutor if you are under 18 years of age, under guardianship, in a helpless state due to severe trauma, or dependent on the perpetrator of the violence.

The application for protection to the court must include:

• Your name, citizenship, LNCH or EGN, and address;
• The name, citizenship, LNCH or EGN, and address of the perpetrator of the violence;
• Your relationship with the perpetrator (including family relationship)
• A detailed description of the domestic violence—e.g., when, under what circumstances, and what form the violence took;

You must attach a declaration to your application, stating  the committed violence. In the statement, you should describe again in detail what the domestic violence consisted of, who committed it, and when. 

 If you have other evidence, you must also submit it to the court. This could include, for example, medical documents from a doctor or psychologist, etc.

Important! You must submit your application within 3 months of the violence occurring, but no later than 6 months.

It is best to submit the application to the regional court, but you can also submit it through the police, the municipality, or the mayor's office, and they will forward it to the court. 

There is no court fee for submitting the application. If your application is granted, the court will issue a protection order. If your application is rejected, you will have to pay the costs of the proceedings, including the court fee. 

Important! The court's judgment to issue or refuse to issue a protection order is subject to appeal before the district court within 7 days of its pronouncement in court or from the day on which it is stated that the judgment will be announced to the parties.

Important! If your application for protection shows that your life and health are in immediate and direct danger, the court will consider the application immediately, within 24 hours, and issue a protection order. 

We advise you, if you have been a victim of domestic violence, to contact a lawyer who can help you prepare and file an application for protection with the court, as well as provide you with additional assistance if needed. 

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V. What protective measures can the court impose?

Upon your request for protection, the court may impose one or more of the following measures:

• Require the perpetrator to refrain from committing domestic violence;
• Remove the perpetrator from the home you share for a period determined by the court;
• Prohibit the perpetrator from approaching you, your home, your workplace, and places of social contact and recreation under conditions and for a period determined by the court;
• Prohibit the perpetrator from contacting you in any form, including by telephone, e-mail, regular mail, fax, or any other means of communication, under conditions and for a period determined by the court;
• Temporarily determine your child's place of residence with you or with the parent who did not commit the violence, under conditions and for a period determined by the court, if this is not contrary to the interests of the child;
• Require the perpetrator of the violence to attend specialized programs for overcoming aggression and coping with anger;
• Refer you to specialized protection, assistance, and support services or recovery programs;

Important! If the perpetrator of the violence does not comply with the measures imposed by the court, you must report it to the police. If the police find such a violation, they will detain the perpetrator and notify the prosecutor's office to take action. 

Read more about how to protect yourself from gender-based violence here. Information about organizations that provide support to women, including victims of domestic violence, can be found here.