Which Bulgarian residence permit fits your situation? An overview of the legal routes

Investors, entrepreneurs and other foreign nationals who seek a stable setting to live and grow a business in Europe are turning to Bulgaria more and more. As a European Union member state inside the Schengen Area, it gives you free travel across much of Europe without border checks, access to the single European market and a business-friendly climate.

The country stands out through exceptionally low taxes, living costs that are comparatively modest, good infrastructure and a strategic position linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It therefore appeals to those planning a long-term move and to those pursuing business and investment openings.

Here we go through the main routes to a right of residence in Bulgaria, what applicants must satisfy and what each regime brings.

Longer stay (extended residence)

Extended residence runs for one year at most and is renewed annually. To obtain it you need a type D visa, followed by an application lodged with the Migration Directorate. Many grounds are listed in the law, among them:

• carrying on commercial activity that has resulted in at least 10 new jobs;
• a role as representative of a foreign company with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (trade representation);
• a pension right earned under Bulgarian legislation, meaning that of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• purchase of real estate priced above EUR 307,000;
• family ties to a Bulgarian national as a family member;
• a relationship to a foreign national with an extended or permanent residence permit, as that person's family member;
• status as a digital nomad;
• enrolment as a student;
• admission to Bulgaria for medical treatment.

Permanent status

Permanent residence has no expiry and brings rights close to those of Bulgarian citizens. Holders may work and live in Bulgaria; 5 years after receiving it they may also seek Bulgarian citizenship, so it is the stage before naturalisation. The routes most often used are:

General ground — after five years of residence. Lawful, continuous residence in Bulgaria for five years entitles a foreign national to apply for permanent residence.

Investment grounds — directly. Without any earlier extended residence, an investor may obtain permanent status at once under the law, by investing in:

• units held in Bulgarian collective investment schemes that the Financial Supervision Commission has licensed, valued at BGN 1,000,000 or more;
• units of alternative investment funds that are managed in Bulgaria and hold a licence or registration from the FSC, valued at BGN 1,000,000 or more;
• Bulgarian public companies' shares or bonds that trade on a regulated market and have a market value of BGN 2,000,000 or more;
• capital contributed to a Bulgarian company so that a certified priority investment project can be carried out, amounting to BGN 2,000,000 at the least.

Towards citizenship

Permanent residence is usually needed before you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation. Five years of uninterrupted residence immediately preceding the application are required, except on facilitated grounds: Bulgarian origin, marriage to a Bulgarian national and investment.

Our role

We start from your circumstances, recommend the fitting ground, put the entire document package together and manage contact with the Migration Directorate and Bulgarian consulates abroad. Contact us for a detailed consultation.

Further reading

• Working remotely from Bulgaria: the digital nomad residence permit
• Bringing your family to Bulgaria: the family reunification procedure
• The EU Blue Card in Bulgaria: who qualifies and how the procedure runs
• Hiring a non-EU employee in Bulgaria: the single residence and work permit explained
• Can buying property in Bulgaria get you a residence permit?
• Residence through a trade representative office: how the route works, step by step

Practice cases

• Appeal of Art. 24i FRIA residence permit refusal — won at AASC and SAC
• Type D visa refusal from Istanbul consulate annulled
• See all cases from practice →