Short answer. Bulgaria's shelter rules are in the Ordinance on the procedure for building, maintaining and using collective protection means, adopted by Council of Ministers Decree (PMS) No. 60 of 17 March 2009 and amended in 2013 1. It requires GDPBZN checks of blast shelters at least twice a year, a filter-absorber inspection every 3 years, and airtightness tests 1. Technical design follows the ordinances under the Spatial Development Act 1.
Where do the rules come from?
The Disaster Protection Act, art. 12(6), delegates them to a government ordinance: "The procedure for building, maintaining and using collective protection means, and the specific requirements for them, are set by an ordinance of the Council of Ministers" 2.
That ordinance is PMS No. 60 of 17 March 2009, published in State Gazette (DV) No. 23/2009 and amended in DV No. 16/2013 1.
Does the ordinance set technical dimensions?
No. It does not itself set technical dimensions: design follows the ordinances issued under art. 169(4) of the Spatial Development Act (ordinance, art. 8) 1. Ask your engineer which design ordinances apply to your project.
What inspections and tests are required?
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| GDPBZN check of blast shelters | At least twice a year 1 |
| Filter-absorbers | Technical review and control check once every 3 years; immediately if the shelter or its air intakes are flooded 1 |
| Airtightness | Tested at completion, at acceptance and in operation 1 |
| Pipes | Routing extra pipes through the structure is banned 1 |
| Surroundings | A building-free easement around above-ground shelter elements 1 |
The ordinance quotes the filter rule directly: "The technical review and the control check are carried out once every 3 years, and when the collective protection means or the air-intake devices are flooded, the filter-absorbers are checked immediately" 1.
Which buildings must include a shelter?
Metros and underground garages in production and public-service buildings in urban areas of special importance must also be built as collective protection means 1. Outside the mandatory cases, building one is at the investor's discretion (see build a shelter).
Who builds and certifies it?
Design, building permit and commissioning follow the Spatial Development Act, with a positive opinion from GDPBZN on the state acceptance commission 1. Structural design is a matter for a qualified engineer; Phaenyx gives no construction instructions.
Background reading: safe room standards, NBC filtration, shelter ventilation.
Frequently asked questions
What law governs shelters in Bulgaria?
The Disaster Protection Act, art. 12, and the Council of Ministers ordinance PMS No. 60/2009 on collective protection means 21.
How often are shelter filters checked?
Every 3 years, and immediately after flooding of the shelter or its air intakes 1.
Does the ordinance give shelter dimensions?
No. Design follows the ordinances under art. 169(4) of the Spatial Development Act 1.
Sources
- MVR – GDPBZN — Наредба за реда за изграждане, поддържане и използване на колективните средства за защита (ПМС № 60 от 17.03.2009, ДВ бр. 23/2009, изм. и доп. ДВ бр. 16/2013) — https://mvr.bg/upload/15670/%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B1%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B6%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B4%D1%8A%D1%80%D0%B6%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5-%D1%81%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- MVR – GDPBZN — Закон за защита при бедствия (consolidated text, last amended DV No. 60 of 7 July 2020) — https://www.mvr.bg/upload/287282/ZZB_GDPBZN.doc (accessed 2026-10-20)
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Sources
- MVR – GDPBZN · Наредба за реда за изграждане, поддържане и използване на колективните средства за защита (ПМС № 60 от 17.03.2009, ДВ бр. 23/2009, изм. и доп. ДВ бр. 16/2013) checked 2026-10-20
- MVR – GDPBZN · Закон за защита при бедствия (consolidated text, last amended DV No. 60 of 7 July 2020) checked 2026-10-20