What Is the EGN? Bulgarian Personal Number Explained

The EGN (ЕГН, Единен граждански номер) is Bulgaria’s 10-digit personal number. It is given to Bulgarian citizens when their birth or citizenship is entered in the Bulgarian civil register. It is used for ID, passports, health, banking and tax. Foreigners receive a separate number called the ЛНЧ instead.

This guide explains what the EGN is, how it is issued, where it is used and how to find your number.

What is the EGN?

The EGN is the unique identification number given to every Bulgarian citizen. Think of it as similar to a national identity number in other countries. It has 10 digits and stays with a person for life.

Some information is encoded in the number:

• Date of birth
• A regional code linked to the place of birth
• Gender information
• A final check digit

This structure helps verify that the number was not typed incorrectly. Do not share it unnecessarily; it is personal data.

Who gets an EGN?

The EGN is given to people entered in the Bulgarian civil register. The main cases are:

Situation	How the EGN is issued
Bulgarian citizen born in Bulgaria	When the birth is registered
Child of a Bulgarian citizen born abroad	When the birth is entered in the Bulgarian civil register
Person granted citizenship	After the citizenship decision, upon registration
Person who acquires citizenship by origin	When the citizenship is recorded

For children born abroad the process runs through birth registration: the birth is registered at the municipality of the mother’s permanent address (the father’s if the mother is a foreigner), and the EGN is issued with the registration. This applies whether the birth took place in Türkiye, Moldova or any other country.

EGN versus ЛНЧ

Foreigners who are not Bulgarian citizens do not receive an EGN. They are given a ЛНЧ (Личен номер на чужденец, Personal Number of a Foreigner). It also has 10 digits and serves a similar purpose, but only for foreigners.

• EGN: for Bulgarian citizens.
• ЛНЧ: for foreigners who need to deal with Bulgarian institutions.

When you obtain Bulgarian citizenship, your record moves to an EGN. Earlier records made under a ЛНЧ are linked to it. For this to go smoothly, names and identity details must be consistent; if they differ, a name equivalence certificate may be needed.

Where is the EGN used?

The EGN is at the centre of almost every official procedure in Bulgaria:

• ID card and passport: it appears on the documents and is required for the application.
• Healthcare: health insurance and doctor registration.
• Banking: opening accounts and credit applications.
• Tax and social security: tax registration, pension and insurance.
• Property, vehicles and contracts: buying real estate, vehicle registration, leases.
• Education: school and university registration.

So once citizenship or birth registration is complete, keep your documents in order. The EGN is also needed when you apply for a Bulgarian passport.

How do you get an EGN?

You do not apply for the EGN yourself; it is issued automatically once your status is registered. What you must do is make sure the registration is correct.

1. Meet the citizenship or birth condition: a citizenship decision or the child’s birth registration.
2. Prepare the documents: civil registry extract, apostille and sworn Bulgarian translation. See our civil registry extract and apostille guide.
3. Entry in the Bulgarian civil register: through the municipality or consulate.
4. EGN issued: the number is created with the entry and shows on Bulgarian documents.
5. ID or passport application: the number appears on these documents.

How do I find my EGN?

You can see your number on:

• A Bulgarian ID card or passport
• A Bulgarian birth certificate (акт за раждане)
• The citizenship certificate and official correspondence
• Personal certificates issued from the Bulgarian civil register

If you have none of them, you can ask the municipality or consulate for a record containing your number. You will have to show your identity. If you struggle, we can handle it on your behalf.

A note for diaspora families

If relatives emigrated from Bulgaria, they may have an EGN in Bulgarian records. The number makes it easier to find records when researching origin and family line. If you do not know a relative’s number, old Bulgarian documents or birth and marriage records can give clues.

Keeping your EGN safe

The EGN links your identity to many records, so handle it carefully:

• Share it only with institutions that really need it.
• When giving photocopies, consider noting the purpose and date.
• Be careful with requests by phone or message.
• Keep your documents in a safe place.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the EGN and ЛНЧ: continuing to use the foreigner number after citizenship.
• Inconsistent names: different spellings in different documents delay registration.
• Typing the number wrongly: all 10 digits must be exact.
• Delaying birth registration: the child’s EGN does not exist until the birth is registered.

Why get professional support?

The EGN is issued by itself, but it depends on a correct and complete registration. Through our citizenship services we prepare the documents and follow the registration. Send your documents for a free document review or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

How many digits does the EGN have?

The EGN has 10 digits. It contains the date of birth, a regional code, gender information and a check digit.

Can a foreigner get an EGN?

No. Foreigners receive a ЛНЧ instead. When Bulgarian citizenship is acquired, the record moves to an EGN.

How does a child born abroad get an EGN?

When the birth is registered in Bulgaria at the municipality, the child receives an EGN. The birth certificate, apostille and official Bulgarian translation are required.

I forgot my EGN. How do I find it?

It is written on your Bulgarian ID, passport or birth certificate. If you have none, a record can be requested from the municipality or consulate.

Does the EGN ever change?

No, the number is given for life. A change of first name or surname does not change it, only the record is updated.