Is Bulgarian permanent residence a path to citizenship?

Permanent residence gives you the right to live in Bulgaria indefinitely and is the usual stepping stone toward naturalisation. It is not the same as a Bulgarian passport - you remain a third-country national with a residence permit, not a citizen.

Naturalisation has its own separate requirements, including time spent as a settled resident, and is handled under different rules and authorities. Treat permanent residence as the stable foundation: once you hold it, you can begin planning a citizenship application if that is your goal, but check the current naturalisation criteria carefully because they are distinct from the residence rules.