Residency inBulgaria

NON-EU CITIZENS IN BULGARIA

Upon entry into the Republic of Bulgaria foreign citizens must possess a valid document for travelling abroad or other substituting document and a visa, if it is required.

Foreign citizens can stay in the Republic of Bulgaria with short-stay Schengen VISA type C – up to 90 days from the date of entry into the country; long-stay VISA type D - up to one year and serves as a prerequisite for obtaining a Bulgarian residence permit. It allows for extended stays in Bulgaria up to 5 years which is a pathway to obtaining a permanent residence permit.

Grounds for getting a long-stay residence permit in Bulgaria:

• the foreigner works under an employment contract in Bulgaria, after a permit, or carries out a freelance (additional permit for Social ministry is requires) or non-profit activity;
• the foreigner carries out commercial activity, as a result of which at least 10 jobs positions should be created for Bulgarian citizens;
• the foreigner is of Bulgarian origin;
• the foreigner is a representative of a commercial representation registered with the BCCI;
• the foreigner’s child is a Bulgarian citizen or a foreigner with permanent residence in our country, after fulfilling relevant additional requirements;
• the foreigner is admitted for long-term treatment in our country;
• the foreigner is a pensioner, and has sufficient means of support;
• the foreigner has invested a minimum of 307,000 euros in ownership rights over real estate in the Republic of Bulgaria or is the owner of more than 50 percent of the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company, as a result of which the company has acquired real estate of this value;
• the foreigner has made an investment in economically disadvantaged regions with a minimum of 128,000 euros (additional requirements may apply);
• the foreigner wishes to carry out voluntary work in the European Voluntary Service.

Each applicant must have secured housing, mandatory health insurance and insurance, and necessary means of subsistence.

Please note that all above do not apply to foreign citizens who have been granted protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act.

EU CITIZENS IN BULGARIA

Residence permit for EU citizens in Bulgaria - Requirements