Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002344/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Tomáš Zdechovský (PPE)
Under Directive 2004/38/EC[1] (Articles 6, 7 and 24) and Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, all EU citizens have the right to equal treatment in any Member State. However, in Bulgaria, non-Bulgarian EU citizens are assigned a different personal identifier (ličen nomer – LN), which is not part of the national population register and is not recognised by public authorities. Meanwhile, Bulgarian nationals and even non-EU nationals receive an EGN (edinen graždanski nomer), which is fully recognised in all official systems.
This creates long-term obstacles for EU citizens with LN identifiers, such as difficulties registering children at their actual residence, accessing public services or managing inheritance. Despite repeated complaints, Bulgarian authorities refer to conflicting laws and deny responsibility, leaving EU citizens dependent on informal or extra-legal solutions.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this systemic problem and its consequences for EU citizens in Bulgaria?
- 2.What steps has it taken, or will it take, to ensure Bulgaria’s compliance with EU rules on equal treatment?
- 3.Will it urge Bulgaria to reform its legislation to recognise LN identifiers and integrate them into national administrative systems?
Submitted: 11.6.2025
- [1] Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States amending Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC and 93/96/EEC (OJ L 158, 30.4.2004, p. 77, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2004/38/oj).