Current Version
| Region | Bulgaria |
| Issue | Right to change legal gender |
| Status | Illegal |
| Start Date | Feb 21, 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | In February 2023, the starkly split (28-21) Highest Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. However, in March 2026, the European Court of Justice ruled that the law is in violation of EU law and demanded that all of its member states provide legal gender recognition to transgender people, including Bulgaria. It remains to be seen as to whether this will lead to any legal gender changes in Bulgaria. |
| Sources | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ https://www.them.us/story/european-court-member-states-transgender-identity-documents-ruling https://www.intellinews.com/bulgarian-supreme-court-bans-gender-reassignment-270723/ |
Revision History (21)
edited by DaisyGeekyTrans. Adding EU ruling that might change the status in the future.
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| Description | In February 2023, the starkly split (28-21) Highest Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. | In February 2023, the starkly split (28-21) Highest Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. However, in March 2026, the European Court of Justice ruled that the law is in violation of EU law and demanded that all of its member states provide legal gender recognition to transgender people, including Bulgaria. It remains to be seen as to whether this will lead to any legal gender changes in Bulgaria. |
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| Sources | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ https://www.intellinews.com/bulgarian-supreme-court-bans-gender-reassignment-270723/ | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ https://www.them.us/story/european-court-member-states-transgender-identity-documents-ruling https://www.intellinews.com/bulgarian-supreme-court-bans-gender-reassignment-270723/ |
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edited by jadeywadey. adding detail and source
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| Description | In February 2023, the Supreme Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. | In February 2023, the starkly split (28-21) Highest Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ https://www.intellinews.com/bulgarian-supreme-court-bans-gender-reassignment-270723/ |
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Reports (4)
- Newer law has been passed "Issue: New court ruling passed & Incorrect status
Source:
1. https://www.ilga-europe.org/news/landmark-cjeu-ruling-demands-member-states-ensure-legal-gender-recognition-freedom-of-movement/
2. https://infocuria.curia.europa.eu/tabs/jurisprudence?sort=DOC_DATE-DESC&searchTerm=%22C-43%2F24%22&publishedId=C-43%2F24
Description:
On March 12th 2026, the European Court of Justice issued a judgment "C-43/24" in a case of a Bulgarian trans woman living in Italy.
The court has ruled that her inability to change the gender marker on her Bulgarian documents violates the right to free movement within EU as described in the Article 21 of Treaty on the Functioning of European Union, as well as the right to private life, guaranteed by the Article 7 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of European Union.
As such, the court ruled two orders:
1. On the basis of Article 21 of TFEU and article 7 of CFREU, European Union Member States should allow for the amendment of gender data, such as the sex, family name, patronymic, first name and personal identification number, recorded in their civil status registers.
2. Local courts of Member States of European Union are no longer bound by their respective Constitutional Courts if their interpretation of the national law bans legal gender recognition as described by the first ruling of the European Court of Justice.
Request:
1. To temporarily change the status of the "Right to change legal gender" in Bulgaria from "Banned" to "Ambiguous", as it is the only existing status in this category that matches the situation. Similar status is currently in place in Liechtenstein.
2. To add a new "Restricted" status to the "Right to change legal gender" category, similar to the "Restricted" status within the category "Gender-affirming care", which has the "Restricted" status as an option in-between "Banned" and "Legal". The current ruling of the European Court of Justice allows for gender markers to be amended through litigation rather than established procedure and will be decided on a case-by-case basis as such, much better fitting the "Restricted" status than "Ambiguous", "Banned", or "Legal".
3. Alternatively, to change the status to "Legal", as the court mandates the ability to change legal gender in all cases, even if through litigation, with no prerequisites other than "lived gender experience". A similar system was in place in Germany where a person needed to go to a court for a permission to change their legal gender, the ruling of ECJ essentially mandates a universal right and ability to change legal gender through litigation as it only requires proofs of "lived gender experience" rather than diagnosis or surgery."
- Newer law has been passed "On March 12, 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that EU member states cannot refuse to recognize a trans person's legal gender change that was made in another EU country. This ruling directly addresses restrictions on gender marker changes on identity documents, ensuring that trans people can travel and live across the EU without facing mismatches in their documents, specifically impacting bans on legal gender recognition in countries like Bulgaria.
https://www.them.us/story/european-court-member-states-transgender-identity-documents-ruling#:~:text=Sign%20up%20for%20The%20Agenda,Trending%20Now"
- Newer law has been passed "In March 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that blanket bans on legal gender recognition violate EU law, particularly the right to free movement. As a result, Bulgaria is required to ensure that transgender individuals are not prevented from obtaining identity documents that reflect their gender identity, in line with EU law.
https://infocuria.curia.europa.eu/tabs/affair?lang=en&publishedId=C-43%2F24&searchTerm=C-43%2F24"
- Newer law has been passed "In March 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that blanket bans on legal gender recognition violate EU law, particularly the right to free movement. As a result, Bulgaria is required to ensure that transgender individuals are not prevented from obtaining identity documents that reflect their gender identity, in line with EU law.
https://infocuria.curia.europa.eu/tabs/affair?lang=en&publishedId=C-43%2F24&searchTerm=C-43%2F24"
edited by jadeywadey. source formatting and grammar
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| Description | The current law does not provide for the possibility for the court to allow the change of the data regarding the gender, name and uniform civil number in the acts of civil status of an applicant who claims to be transgender,” the decision states. Since February 21st 2023 by the supreme court of Bulgaria. However, there are still protections but limited protections. | In February 2023, the Supreme Court of Bulgaria ruled that people could not change the gender marker on their legal documents. |
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| Sources | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/ |
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| Description | The Supreme court of Bulgaria has banned gender change since 21st February 2023. However, Trans People still have types of protections. | The current law does not provide for the possibility for the court to allow the change of the data regarding the gender, name and uniform civil number in the acts of civil status of an applicant who claims to be transgender,” the decision states. Since February 21st 2023 by the supreme court of Bulgaria. However, there are still protections but limited protections. |
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Reports (1)
- Status is not correct "As for transgender persons in Bulgaria, there is only one law which mentions sex-reassignment; the person has to apply for new documents within 30 days of the surgery. (Law for Bulgarian Documents 2007, Article 9).
Source: https://amerainternational.org/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-country-list/bulgaria-lgbtqi-resources Last updated May 2023"
| Old Value | New Value | |
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| Start Date | Mar 21, 2023 | Feb 21, 2023 |
| Description | While Gender Change is Illegal, Trans People do have Government Recognised Discrimination Protections and Discrimination against people for being transgender in Bulgaria is illegal. So they cannot change there gender so it's illegal | The Supreme court of Bulgaria has banned gender change since 21st February 2023. However, Trans People still have types of protections. |
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| Start Date | 2017 | Mar 21, 2023 |
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| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | N/A | Illegal |
| Description | While Gender Change is Illegal, Trans People do have Government Recognised Discrimination Protections and Discrimination against people for being transgender in Bulgaria is illegal | While Gender Change is Illegal, Trans People do have Government Recognised Discrimination Protections and Discrimination against people for being transgender in Bulgaria is illegal. So they cannot change there gender so it's illegal |
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edited by Canadianstudent03. Bad description
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
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| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | N/A |
| Start Date | (unknown) | 2017 |
| Description | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless The supreme court of Bulgaria have banned gender change in February. For everyone please do not listen to Markissik its fully illegal for a person in bulgaria to change gender check the sources here Also on another note, Markissik is only using one source, That source shows changing gender in bulgaria is illegal. Please check sources if you do not believe it's illegal to change gender in bulgaria | While Gender Change is Illegal, Trans People do have Government Recognised Discrimination Protections and Discrimination against people for being transgender in Bulgaria is illegal |
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| Description | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless The supreme court of Bulgaria have banned gender change in February. For everyone please do not listen to Markissik its fully illegal for a person in bulgaria to change gender check the sources here Also on another note, Markissik is only using one source, That source shows changing gender in bulgaria is illegal. | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless The supreme court of Bulgaria have banned gender change in February. For everyone please do not listen to Markissik its fully illegal for a person in bulgaria to change gender check the sources here Also on another note, Markissik is only using one source, That source shows changing gender in bulgaria is illegal. Please check sources if you do not believe it's illegal to change gender in bulgaria |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
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| Description | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless The supreme court of Bulgaria have banned gender change in February. For everyone please do not listen to Markissik its fully illegal for a person in bulgaria to change gender check the sources here Also on another note, Markissik is only using one source, That source shows changing gender in bulgaria is illegal. |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://www.rainbow-europe.org/#8626/0/0 | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://sofiaglobe.com/2023/02/21/bulgaria-high-court-ruling-bans-legal-change-of-gender/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
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| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Illegal |
| Description | Vito12 is continuing to violate the Website. There is still anti discrimination legislation that protects trans people in Bulgaria, wherever they like it or not | Markissik is continuing to violate the Website. The supreme court of bulgaria has banned gender change since February and Markissik is using info that is used showing that it's illegal changing gender in bulgaria. Do not listen to Markissik at all as most of is info is clueless |
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edited by Canadianstudent03. Vito12 is continuing to violate the Website. There is still anti discrimination legislation that protects trans people in Bulgaria, wherever they like it or not
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
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| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | Ambiguous |
| Start Date | Feb 21, 2023 | (unknown) |
| Description | I should let you all know a User called Markissik Is changing it ambiguous to sources showing it's banned to change legal gender in bulgaria and check the sources now do you only see Wikipedia now? | Vito12 is continuing to violate the Website. There is still anti discrimination legislation that protects trans people in Bulgaria, wherever they like it or not |
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| Sources | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Bulgaria | https://www.rainbow-europe.org/#8626/0/0 |
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edited by Vito12. Please get Markissik to stop changing it to ambiguous as the status is incoreect
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Illegal |
| Description | I should let you all know a User called Vito12 with no knowledge of the situation is changing the status. They are doing it to spread misinformation and they only cite Wikipedia as a source | I should let you all know a User called Markissik Is changing it ambiguous to sources showing it's banned to change legal gender in bulgaria and check the sources now do you only see Wikipedia now? |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ https://rainbow-europe.org/#8626/0/0 | https://balkaninsight.com/2023/02/21/bulgarian-supreme-court-rules-against-transgender-peoples-rights/ https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Bulgaria |
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Reports (1)
- Newer law has been passed "?????? ?? ? ambiguous"
edited by Canadianstudent03. Vito12 is spreading misinformation again
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0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | Ambiguous |
| Description | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination. Also, users whose source is Wikipedia or no source at all keep changing the status to illegal despite legislation. I should let you all know a User called Vito12 with no knowledge of the situation is changing the status. They are doing it to spread misinformation and they only cite Wikipedia as a source | I should let you all know a User called Vito12 with no knowledge of the situation is changing the status. They are doing it to spread misinformation and they only cite Wikipedia as a source |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Illegal |
edited by Canadianstudent03. I should let you all know a User called Vito12 with no knowledge of the situation is changing the status. They are doing it to spread misinformation and they only cite Wikipedia as a source
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | Ambiguous |
| Description | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination. Also, users whose source is Wikipedia or no source at all keep changing the status to illegal despite legislation | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination. Also, users whose source is Wikipedia or no source at all keep changing the status to illegal despite legislation. I should let you all know a User called Vito12 with no knowledge of the situation is changing the status. They are doing it to spread misinformation and they only cite Wikipedia as a source |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Illegal |
edited by Canadianstudent03. users whose source is Wikipedia or no source at all keep changing the status to illegal despite legislation
Helpful?
0 | Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | Ambiguous |
| Description | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination. Also, users whose source is Wikipedia or no source at all keep changing the status to illegal despite legislation |
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| Old Value | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | (REMOVED) | Illegal |
| Special Status | Ambiguous | Illegal |
edited by Canadianstudent03. There is anti discrimination legislation in Bulgaria
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0 | Old Value (Original) | New Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Illegal | (REMOVED) |
| Special Status | Illegal | Ambiguous |
| Description | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. However, there is some pieces of legislation that protects trans people from things like discrimination |
Show Difference | ||
| Sources | https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ | https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ https://rainbow-europe.org/#8626/0/0 |
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| Original entry | |
|---|---|
| Status | Illegal |
| Start Date | Feb 21, 2023 |
| End Date | (none) |
| Description | Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts. |
| Sources | https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/bulgaria-bans-gender-reassignment-surgery/ |
Reports (1)
- Newer law has been passed