When can a family member get their own independent residence permit instead of relying on the sponsor?

At first, a family member's right to stay is derived from the sponsor. Over time, that dependence can be replaced by an independent status.

The standard route is that after five years of continuous legal residence in Bulgaria, the family member becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence in their own right. Some special cases, such as unmarried minor children of Bulgarian citizens, can qualify sooner. This independent status protects the family member if the sponsoring relationship later changes.