Bulgarian Residency
This article discusses how to obtain a Bulgarian residency also known as a Bulgarian residence permit, what the requirements are, and the benefits you receive from getting such a permit.
The country joined the European Union in 2007 and joined Schengen Area in 2024. The Bulgarian residence permit gives you good value for money and access to the European Union, where you have the freedom of movement of goods, people, and capital guaranteed. It opens up new investment markets, can help you legally reduce your tax bill, and, as a step to citizenship, can help enhance your passport portfolio.
Bulgaria’s favorable business environment is one of the main reasons why many entrepreneurs and freelancers prefer our country as a place to start a new business or move their lives and economic interests. Taxes are one of the lowest on the territory of the entire European Union, as some of the examples are: flat 10% corporate tax and 10% income tax. In addition, no VAT is due on any transactions with goods and services within the EU, but in some cases VAT registration is mandatory.
The Bulgarian residency is also the first step in the process of becoming a tax resident in Bulgaria. More information about taxation in Bulgaria can be found in our article HERE.
If you want to buy a property in Bulgaria our article about PROPERTY CHECK can help you to understand what you should be aware of before doing so.
Residency in Bulgaria for EU citizens
After the admission of Bulgaria to the European Union in 2007, new opportunities opened up. Opportunities both for its citizens and for those of the other EU member states. There is a tendency for more and more Europeans to lead a dynamic lifestyle and settle in different countries. Bulgaria is attractive to many due to its stable economic situation, and the affordable standard of living. Other reasons to get Bulgarian residency are the low real estate prices and, last but not least, the beautiful nature.
1. Bulgarian residency for EU citizens – why not?
Bulgarian legislation regulates a significantly easier regime for entry, residence, and starting a business for European citizens than for those of third countries. The types of terms during which citizens of the European Union can reside on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria are as follows:
- Short-term (up to 3 months from the date of entry into the country) – for this purpose you must have an identity card or a valid passport, issued by a EU Member State.
- Long-term residence (from 1 to 5 years from its issuance) – a permit must be issued by the Bulgarian Migration Directorate.
- Permanent residence (from 5 to 10 years from its issuance)– obtained after a certificate issued by the Bulgarian Migration Directorate.
2. What are the most common prerequisites for obtaining Bulgarian residency?
The three most common prerequisites for obtaining the right of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria are the following:
1. Hiring of a European citizen under a labor contract when the usual workplace is on the territory of the country.
2. The possession of sufficient funds to live in Bulgaria, to have health insurance, and a secured place to live (lease or having a property). The purpose of these requirements is not to burden the social and health systems. This option is most often used by freelancers and self-employed persons.
3. A citizen of a Member State of the European Union must be enrolled in a Bulgarian educational institution. In this case, the person must again have sufficient means of subsistence, health insurance, and a place to live.
3. Conclusion and legal assistance.
The procedure for Bulgarian residency is before the Migrations Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is recommended for the person applying to go in person with all the necessary documents. Our team has experience and is specialized in the preparation of documents and representation before Bulgaria’s state institutions. We will be with you in every phase of the procedure. We will prepare all the required documents. We will assist you in obtaining the documents you need.
In addition, we can be of help to you in finding a home to live in Bulgaria. We work with some of the best real estate brokers in the country, who will try to find the right property for you at an affordable price. If you want more information about us, don’t think twice before contacting us.
Residency in Bulgaria for non-EU citizens / people from outside of the EU
In recent years, a trend has been noticed that more foreigners want to shift their lives and economic interests to EU countries and Bulgaria in particular. This is not a surprise. Why?
Because Bulgaria’s business ecosystem is developing at a high pace. There is also the possibility for free movement within the EU and the Schengen area, which contributes to the rapid exchange of goods and services. This is the perfect time to be part of this movement and take your place into one of the largest economies in the world – the EU.
1. Most important legal steps.
One of the most important steps in the process of moving to Bulgaria is obtaining the right to long-term residence. The procedure can be started after the foreign citizen has already legally entered the territory of the country subsequent to the issuance of Visa type “D” by the Bulgarian embassy or consulate responsible for the respective country.
Long-term residence entitles you to stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for up to one year from the date of issuance of the permit. After the expiration of this period, you can apply again. Of course, this is possible only if you still comply with one of the grounds listed below. These actions are the beginning of obtaining a permanent residence permit, which is issued for a period of up to 5 years and there is no need to renew it every year.
2. Who can obtain long-term residence in Bulgaria?
Obtaining the right of a long-term residence for foreigners is limited to grounds exhaustively listed in the law. We will not mention all of them, but only the most applicable and common ones. For long-term residency can apply foreigners who:
1. want to work as commissioned or sent within the framework of providing services on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
2. want to reside and work in the Republic of Bulgaria on the basis of an employment contract.
3. carry out commercial activities in the country in accordance with the law.
4. are foreign specialists, residing in the country pursuant to international treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.
5. are representatives of a foreign company (Trade Representative Office), registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bulgaria.
6. are full-time students in a Bulgarian university.
7. are of Bulgarian origin.
8. are financially secured parents of a Bulgarian citizen or a foreigner who has issued a permanent residence permit.
9. have received the right to a pension according to the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria, their country of origin or another country and possess sufficient funds to support themselves without any government aid;
10. are family members of a foreigner who has received a long-term or permanent residence permit;
11. want to carry out a freelance activity;
12. have invested an amount not less than BGN 600,000 to acquire the right of ownership of real estate on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria.
3. Conclusion and legal assistance
In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, any foreigner who wants to obtain a Bulgarian residency must have mandatory health insurance that is valid for the whole European Union. Another criterion is to have sufficient funds for their maintenance without any government aid, as well as accommodation (rental contract).
Our is specialized in the preparation of all necessary documents and representation of foreigners before the competent state institutions. We will be with you in each of the phases of the procedure. We will assist you with the preparation of all documents you need to provide by your side, as well as we will take care of all the other steps that the law requires.
In case you have completed this procedure by yourself but there is an official refusal from Bulgarian state agencies to issue you a long-term residence permit, our legal team can assist you in appealing this refusal before the competent court.
Don’t think twice before writing to us!
You can reach us at:
tel.: +359895443792
email: ivanov@bi-lawfirm.com