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2 programs for Bulgaria. Explore the options and get an expert assessment.
After five years of continuous, lawful residence in Bulgaria, most non-EU nationals can step up from a continuous (prolonged) permit to long-term EU resident status. This is the 5-year EU long-term residence permit: it gives near-equal treatment with Bulgarian nationals and, under certain conditions, the right to move to other EU states. It sits above the continuous permit and is a key milestone on the way to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
Bulgaria's most settled status short of citizenship. Most people reach it after holding a continuous (prolonged) residence permit and living legally in Bulgaria for five years, though some routes (like qualifying investment) can lead to it more directly. Permanent residence is granted for an indefinite period and is a stepping stone toward Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation.
After five years of continuous lawful residence, most non-EU nationals can step up from a continuous permit to long-term EU resident status — a five-year permit giving near-equal treatment with Bulgarian nationals and, under conditions, mobility to other EU states.
Bulgaria offers permanent residence (not a fast passport) for a qualifying investment under the Foreigners Act, such as a sizeable stake in licensed Bulgarian investment vehicles. The old fast-track citizenship-by-investment scheme was repealed in 2022.
It lets a non-EU person who already holds a qualifying Bulgarian residence permit be joined by close family, typically a spouse and minor children. The family member usually gets a Type D visa on the family ground, then a continuous residence permit.
Permanent residence is Bulgaria's most settled status short of citizenship, granted for an indefinite period. Most people reach it after five years of legal residence on a continuous permit, though some routes (like qualifying investment) can lead there more directly.
The Type D long-stay visa is Bulgaria's front door for stays over 90 days. Non-EU nationals apply for it at a Bulgarian embassy abroad on a specific ground (work, study, family, investment), then apply for the matching residence permit after arriving.
No. The fast-track citizenship-by-investment scheme was repealed in 2022. An investment route to permanent residence still exists, but it does not give a quick passport.
The ICT Permit is for people moved within their own company group from a non-EU branch to a Bulgarian one — managers, specialists and trainees. A nice feature: your employment stays with the sending company abroad, so you don't sign a new Bulgarian contract.
Bulgaria's EU Blue Card is for highly qualified non-EU professionals. It pairs a skilled job offer with a salary above a national threshold set at 1.5x the average gross salary (per National Statistical Institute data, so it moves over time) and recognised higher qualifications.
Take the assessment or ask Acey, our immigration assistant.
Immigrate (Permanent Residence) — Bulgaria