I. Long-Term Residence Permit (up to 1 year) – Based on Investment
This type of residence permit may be issued to non-EU nationals for a period of up to one year. Permanent residence cannot be acquired under these grounds.
1. Purchase of Real Estate
A foreign national may obtain a long-term residence permit for up to 1 year by purchasing real estate in Bulgaria with a total value of at least EUR 307,000.
The purchase may be carried out either personally or through a Bulgarian commercial company, provided that the foreigner owns more than 50% of the company shares with a minimum value of EUR 307,000.
Under Bulgarian law, foreign natural persons may not acquire ownership of agricultural land. Ownership of non-agricultural land is permitted only if provided for in an international treaty. Consequently, the qualifying property is typically an apartment or a building right.
The procedure normally includes: property acquisition, document collection, application submission, visa interview, and issuance of a residence card.
The overall duration of the procedure is approximately 2–3 months.
2. Investment in Economically Disadvantaged Regions (Long-Term)
A foreign national may obtain long-term residence by investing at least EUR 128,000 in an economically disadvantaged region in Bulgaria.
The investment must be made exclusively through a Bulgarian commercial company. The applicant must either establish a company or acquire at least 50% of an existing company and increase its capital with the required amount.
With the invested funds, the company must acquire new material or non-material assets in the disadvantaged region and create at least five full-time jobs.
Economically disadvantaged regions are areas where unemployment exceeds or gross added value per capita is lower than the national average.
The procedure duration is typically 2–3 months.
3. Carrying Out Commercial Activities in Bulgaria
A foreign national may obtain a residence permit for up to 1 year when acting as a shareholder or manager in a Bulgarian company that has created at least ten full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens.
Multiple foreign nationals may qualify under the same company if they fulfill the role of shareholder or manager.
The procedure generally requires 2–3 months.
4. Registration of Commercial Representation
A long-term residence permit may be granted to a foreign national acting as a representative of a foreign commercial company.
The foreign company must register a commercial representation with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the BULSTAT Register. The company must submit documents proving an annual turnover of at least 52 000 euro or the equivalent in foreign currency.
The commercial representation is not a legal entity and may not conduct commercial activities in Bulgaria.
Up to three representatives may be registered, each eligible for a residence permit.
The procedure usually takes 2–3 months.
5. Foreign Nationals Accepted as Trainees
Foreign nationals enrolled in a full-time training program in Bulgaria may obtain long-term residence for up to 1 year.
A trainee is defined as a person improving qualifications under a specialized curriculum without acquiring a higher academic degree or new specialty.
The procedure typically takes 1–2 months and requires a Type D visa prior to arrival.
6. Residence Permit for Digital Nomads
A digital nomad is a foreign national who performs remote work using information technologies for a non-EU employer or company.
The applicant must not provide services to persons located in Bulgaria and must demonstrate remote activity for at least one year in some cases. The permit is issued for up to 1 year. The procedure usually takes 1–2 months after obtaining a Type D visa.
7. Renewal of Long-Term Residence Permit
Long-term residence permits may be renewed for successive periods of up to 1 year.
The applicant must continue to satisfy the original grounds for residence.
The renewal procedure must begin no later than 14 days before permit expiration and does not require a new visa interview.
Typical processing time is 1–2 months.
II. Permanent Residence Permit (Indefinite) – Based on Investment
Permanent residence permits grant the right to reside indefinitely in Bulgaria and may only be acquired through qualifying investments.
1. Investment in Economically Disadvantaged Regions (Permanent)
Permanent residence may be obtained through an investment of at least EUR 256,000 in an economically disadvantaged region.
The investment must be carried out through a Bulgarian commercial company which must create at least ten full-time jobs.
The procedure duration is approximately 2–3 months.
2. Shares or Bonds in a Bulgarian Company (Regulated Market)
Permanent residence may be obtained by investing at least EUR 1,023,000 in shares or bonds of a Bulgarian company
traded on a regulated Bulgarian stock market such as BSE or BEAM.
The investment must be made personally by the foreign national and not via a legal entity.
3. Shares in a Bulgarian Commercial Company
A foreign national may acquire permanent residence by purchasing shares worth at least EUR 3,070,000 in a Bulgarian company
or by establishing a joint-stock company with the same minimum capital.
The investor must be a natural person.
III. Residence Permits Based on Employment
1. Single Work and Residence Permit
This permit applies to foreign nationals employed under a labor contract with a Bulgarian employer in low-skilled positions.
It is a long-term residence permit issued for a period of 1 to 3 years, depending on the employment contract.
The employer must fulfill specific statutory obligations as part of the procedure.
Typical processing time is 2–4 months.
2. EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is intended for highly qualified employment.
The applicant must have higher education relevant to the position and a valid employment contract with a Bulgarian employer.
An “EU Blue Card” long-term residence and work permit is issued for a period of up to 5 years, but not less than 24 months. When the term of the employment contract is shorter than 24 months, the permit is issued for the duration of the contract, extended by three months, but for a maximum period of 24 months.
Processing time is generally 2–4 months.
IV. Residence Based on Family Reunification
Family members of foreign nationals holding Bulgarian residence permits may obtain long-term or permanent residence.
Family members are defined as spouses and children.
The duration of the family member’s permit matches that of the principal permit holder.
The procedure typically takes 2–3 months.
V. Comparison Table (Overview)
The following table provides a comparative overview of the main residence permit categories, including duration, legal basis, investment or employment requirements, and employment rights.
| Permit Type | Basis | Minimum Requirement | Duration | Key Limitations |
| Long-Term (Investment) | Real Estate / Business / Capital | EUR 128,000–307,000 | Up to 1 year | No indefinite status |
| Permanent (Investment) | Capital Investment | EUR 256,000–3,070,000 | Indefinite | Investment must be maintained |
| Single Work Permit | Employment | Employment Contract | 1–3 years | Employer-dependent |
| EU Blue Card | Highly Skilled Employment | Degree + Contract | 1–3 years | Highly qualified only |
| Family Reunification | Family Connection | Valid family tie | Same as sponsor | Dependent status |
