Citizens of the European Union located in countries outside the Union will be able to turn to the Bulgarian embassy or consulate if they do not have representation in their own country. They will enjoy the same rights as Bulgarian citizens.
 
This is the decision og a Council of Ministers decree granting consular protection and participation in coordination and cooperation measures to facilitate the consular protection of unrepresented EU citizens in third countries by Bulgaria's overseas representations.
 
Cases of consular protection include arrest or detention when the person is a victim of a crime, a serious accident or serious illness, death, emergency and repatriation in an emergency, need for temporary travel documents, etc.
 
In cases where unrepresented citizens of the European Union are granted by Bulgaria consular protection related to financial assistance, they will be required to reimburse only those costs which, under the same conditions, should be borne by the citizens of our country.
 
The costs of consular protection incurred by our country are thus refundable by the Member State whose citizen has sought our diplomatic or consular representation.