Bulgaria Immigration Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get residency by investment in Bulgaria?

The cheapest option to get residency in Bulgaria is to invest 250,000 Bulgarian lev in a company located in an economically-challenged area and create five jobs. Investors receive a one-year residency visa that can be renewed indefinitely. Other routes to obtain a residency visa include investing 500,000 Bulgarian lev in a new or existing business that employs 10 workers and investing 600,000 Bulgarian lev in real estate. It is also possible for investors to get permanent residency, which can lead to citizenship after five years, through an investment of 1 million Bulgarian lev in bonds, stocks, shares, trust funds and intellectual property.

How much do I have to invest to get residency in Bulgaria?

To obtain a one-year residency visa, investors have the option to invest 250,000 Bulgaria lev in a company located in an economically challenged area and create five jobs, invest 500,000 Bulgarian lev in an existing or new business can maintain or create 10 jobs, or invest 600,000 Bulgarian lev in real estate. To apply for permanent residency, investors must make an investment of at least 1 million Bulgarian lev.

How much do I have to invest to get citizenship in Bulgaria?

Foreign investors who obtain permanent residency in Bulgaria with an investment of 1 million Bulgarian lev are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years. The waiting period can be reduced to 12 months after permanent residency is obtained if an additional 1 million investment is made.

What are the requirements for citizenship by investment in Bulgaria?

Permanent-residency holders who have made an investment of 1 million Bulgaria lev are eligible to apply for citizenship after five years. They are not required to live in the country or pass any language tests to qualify. It is also possible for investors to speed up the process through a fast-track procedure, where citizenship can be obtained in about 18 months after the submission of applications if an additional 1 million Bulgarian lev is invested.

What are the requirements for residency by investment in Bulgaria?

Investors applying for permanent residency of Bulgaria must make the required investment, keep it under their names and maintain it under their sole and direct control. Investors also need to provide police reports on previous criminal records. The application process requires investors to make four trips to Bulgaria.

How long does it take to get residency by investment in Bulgaria?

The processing of a permanent residency application through investment takes approximately six months.

How long does it take to get citizenship by investment in Bulgaria?

Once permanent residency is granted, an investor is eligible to apply for citizenship after five years. Through a fast-track process, an investor can get citizenship of the country within about 18 months after the initial investment is made.

How many countries can I visit with a Bulgaria passport?

Bulgaria passport holders have visa-free access to 171 destinations.

Do I have to be present in Bulgaria before getting the residency by investment application approved?

Investors need to make four trips to Bulgaria during the application process. However, no trip needs to last for more than a few days.

Can I add my spouse and children on my application?

Investors’ spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18 can join the investor after permanent residency is granted to the principal applicant. This is a process separate from the investor's initial residency-by-investment application.

What are the criteria for my children to qualify for residency or citizenship in Bulgaria?

Investors’ unmarried children under the age of 18 years old can get permanent residency and then citizenship of Bulgaria if the principal applicants' applications are successfully approved.

Do I have the right to work in Bulgaria after I obtain the residency through this program?

As a permanent residency of Bulgaria who has made an investment of 1 million Bulgaria lev in the country, an investor has full access to the country’s job market.

Do I have to live in Bulgaria to qualify for citizenship by investment?

Investors who obtained permanent residency in Bulgaria after making an investment of 1 million Bulgaria lev are not required to live in the country to qualify for citizenship after five years.

What is the tax situation after obtaining Bulgaria residency or citizenship?

Bulgarian residents are liable to pay taxes on their worldwide income. An individual is considered a tax resident of Bulgaria if one of the following four criteria is fulfilled: the individual has a permanent address in Bulgaria; the individual spends over 183 days in the country during any 12-month period; the individual has a vital connection with the country; the individual resides abroad on the assignment of an organization in Bulgaria. Non-residents of Bulgaria are only obliged to pay tax on their Bulgaria-sourced income. If investors obtain citizenship by investing in government bonds, their returns are exempt from taxation.

Will Bulgaria citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. Bulgarian citizenship grants its holders EU citizenship.

What can I invest in to gain citizenship by investment in Bulgaria?

Investors can choose to invest in government bonds, stocks, shares, trust funds and intellectual property to qualify for the investment immigration program of Bulgaria.

How long do I have to wait before I can sell my investment in Bulgaria?

Investors can sell their investment two years after the grant of Bulgarian citizenship.

Will my Bulgarian citizenship expire?

Investors' Bulgarian citizenship does not expire unless it is revoked on grounds of misrepresentation of facts that have resulted in the grant of citizenship. Dual citizenship is only permitted for native-born Bulgarian citizens, spouses of Bulgarian citizens, citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland.