All foreign nationals, EU and non-EU, must apply for a residence permit if they wish to stay in Bulgaria for a period longer than 90 days.
There are two types of residence permit issued to foreigners moving to Bulgaria:
• Long-Term Residence Permit : Issued for 1 year to non-EU citizens and for 5 years to EU citizens
• Permanent Residence Permit : Issued for an indefinite period of time by the National Migration Directorate and its local branches. Applications for Permanent Residence can only be submitted in Bulgaria
Before applying for a residency permit, it is necessary to open a bank account in Bulgarian bank and get a letter from the bank stating that the applicant has an active bank account. There is a small fee for this letter.
Entry, stay and work of Foreigners in Bulgaria
Foreigners residing in Bulgaria on legal grounds have all rights and obligations under the Bulgarian Constitution, except those for which Bulgarian citizenship is required.
Citizens of the European Union
EU citizens do not need a visa to stay in Bulgaria. They may enter and leave the territory of Bulgaria with an identity card or passport for up to three months. When the conditions of EU law are met, EU citizens may reside in Bulgaria for longer than five years or permanently, for the purpose of which a certificate is issued.
Third-country nationals
Third-country nationals have the right to a transit through the territory of Bulgaria without a visa under the terms and conditions set by EU legislation. When an agreement between the EU and a third country is in force on the conditions for issuance of a visa, entry and residence of nationals of that country, the procedures under the respective agreement apply.
Foreigners may reside in Bulgaria for short-term periods (90 days from the date of entry), continuous stay (1 year), long-term (with an initial authorized period of 5 years and renewable) and permanently – for an indefinite period.
Among the foreigners who can obtain continuous residence permit are:
-Persons who engage in commercial activity in the country, by means of which at least 10 jobs for Bulgarian citizens have been opened;
-Foreign specialists staying in the country under international treaties;
-Representatives of foreign companies.
Among the foreigners who can obtain a permanent resident status are:
-Persons who have invested or increased their investment over BGN 1 million through acquisition of:
-shares in Bulgarian companies traded on the Bulgarian regulated market;
-bonds and treasury bills as well as derivative instruments issued by the state or municipalities, with a residual maturity of not less than 6 months;
-ownership of assets of a Bulgarian company with more than 50% state or municipal participation in the capital in accordance with the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Act;
-state or municipal shares owned of a Bulgarian company in accordance with the Privatization and Post-Privatization Control Act;
-Bulgarian intellectual property;
-rights under concession contracts operating in the Republic of Bulgaria;
-Persons who have invested over BGN 1 million over 1 million in Bulgarian licensed credit institution for a period of not less than 5 years;
-Persons who have invested at least BGN 6 million in the capital of a Bulgarian company whose shares are not traded on a regulated market;
-Persons who have received a certificate for class investment / priority investment project.
Among the foreigners who do not require work permits are:
-Foreigners with long-term or permanent residence in Bulgaria;
-Managers of companies or branches of foreign entities;
-Members of boards of directors of companies who do not work under an employment relationship;
-Commercial representatives of foreign companies.
| Stay and work of third-country nationals | |
| Short-term stay(up to 90 days) | On the basis of work permit, except for certain cases, e.g.:-persons managing business companies/branches of foreign legal entities;-members of managing boards and boards of directors of business companies who are not employed under an employment contract;-family members of a foreigner holding a long-stay permit;
-family members of EU nationals, etc. |
| Long-term stay(up to 1 year) | |
| Long-term stay(5 years with an extension option) | Under the procedures for Bulgarian nationals (without work permit) unless there are any additional requirements in respect of the particular work set by a regulatory document. |
| Residence(unlimited period) | |
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