Legal Deadline Calculator for Bulgaria
Short answer
How is a deadline to appeal calculated in Bulgaria?
The day on which the period starts (usually the day of service) is not counted. A period in weeks ends on the same weekday; a period in months ends on the same date of the last month or, if that date does not exist, on the last day of the month. If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline moves to the next working day (Art. 60 Civil Procedure Code).
Last day of the period
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The period runs from the correct start date – usually the day of service, which is not always the day you first saw the document. As a rule, missing a deadline means losing the right. When in doubt, file earlier.
The calculator counts the period under the general rules of Art. 60 of the Bulgarian Civil Procedure Code and takes into account Saturdays, Sundays and official public holidays. It does not include additional days off declared by the government by decision, or special rules for particular proceedings. The result is indicative and is not legal advice.
How is the period counted?
The general rules for calculating time limits are set out in Art. 60 of the Bulgarian Civil Procedure Code (ГПК) and are applied in many other proceedings too. The calculator follows them step by step.
- The day on which the period starts – the day of service or of the event – is not counted. A 14-day period after service on the 3rd ends on the 17th, if that is a working day.
- A period set in weeks ends on the same weekday on which it started. A period set in months ends on the same date of the last month or, if there is no such date (for example the 31st), on the last day of that month.
- If the last day is a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the period ends on the next working day.
- Bulgarian public holidays are 1 January, 3 March, 1 May, 6 May, 24 May, 6 September, 22 September, 24–26 December and Orthodox Good Friday to Easter Monday. If a fixed holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the next working day is a day off (Art. 154(2) Labour Code).
When does the period start, and what is not included?
The most common mistake is not in the counting but in the start date. The period runs from the day the document was validly served – in person, by post with a return receipt, electronically or by a notice left at the address. Special rules apply when a notice is left, and the document may be deemed served even if you never received it. The objection to a statement of offence (АУАН) runs from the signing of the statement, and the period to challenge a dismissal runs from the termination of employment – usually the day the dismissal order is served.
The calculator does not take into account additional days off declared by the Bulgarian government, time limits set by the court, or special cases under individual laws. If you are not sure about the start date or which period applies, seek advice while the period is still running.
Frequently asked questions
Do weekends count towards the period?
Yes. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays count as ordinary days. Only if the last day of the period is a non-working day does the deadline move to the next working day.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
In most cases the right is lost – the appeal or objection is not examined and the act or judgment becomes final. Reinstatement of a missed deadline is possible only exceptionally, in special unforeseen circumstances, which must be proven.
When does the period start if I did not receive the document personally?
If the document was handed to another member of your household or served by a notice left at the address, the period may start without the document ever being in your hands. Special rules determine when a document is deemed served after a notice is left. Check the date on the receipt or in the case file.
Are 2 weeks and 14 days the same?
Yes, a two-week period ends on the same weekday on which it started – that is, on the 14th day. Months are different: a one-month period is not 30 days but ends on the same date of the following month.
Can I file on the last day?
As a rule, yes – the period ends at the end of the last day. In person, however, you can only file during the registry's office hours, and post or electronic systems can also cause delays. So do not leave filing to the last moment.
If you live abroad or are not a Bulgarian citizen
Deadlines under Bulgarian law are not extended because a party lives abroad. There are, however, some practical differences that foreign residents and expats should know about early – whether you live in the UK, the US or elsewhere.
I live outside Bulgaria. Are the deadlines longer for me?
No. The deadlines are the same as for someone living in Bulgaria. Serving documents abroad usually takes longer, but once a document has been served on you, the period starts to run.
Do public holidays in my country extend the deadline?
As a rule, no. What counts are non-working days in Bulgaria, because the document is filed with a Bulgarian authority or court. The calculator counts the period by the Bulgarian calendar.
What is an address for service in Bulgaria and why do I need one?
As a rule, a party living abroad must give an address for summonses and service in Bulgaria (съдебен адрес) – for example, their lawyer's address. If they do not, notices may be attached to the case file and deemed served even though they never received them.
Do I need to travel to Bulgaria to file an appeal or objection?
Not necessarily. A Bulgarian lawyer can file the document on your behalf – electronically or by post. What matters is that you send us the documents as soon as you receive them.
How long does a power of attorney from abroad take?
The power of attorney usually has to be notarised, and often also needs an apostille or a translation. This can take days or weeks, so start as soon as you receive the document, not in the last week of the period.
I live in the UK or the US. Does anything change after Brexit or because I am outside the EU?
The length of Bulgarian deadlines is the same. Outside the EU, service of documents and the formalities for a power of attorney, such as an apostille, usually take longer, so giving an address for service in Bulgaria and appointing a lawyer early matters even more.
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