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1 program for Bulgaria. Explore the options and get an expert assessment.
Bulgaria offers permanent residence to foreigners who make a qualifying investment under the Foreigners Act, for example a sizeable stake in licensed Bulgarian investment vehicles (such as collective investment schemes or alternative investment funds focused on Bulgarian companies) or other priority investments. Important and often misunderstood: the old fast-track citizenship-by-investment and the government-bond permanent-residence option were repealed (citizenship fast-track in 2022), so this route now leads to permanent residence, not a fast passport. Always verify the current qualifying investments and thresholds with the authorities before committing funds.
The most common pitfalls are withdrawing the investment too early, letting the residence card expire, and failing to keep required documents or conditions current.
Qualifying investments include Bulgarian government bonds and shares or financial instruments in Bulgarian companies, held for a prescribed minimum period.
Family members can generally obtain residence linked to the main investor through the family reunification rules, subject to the standard conditions.
Permanent residence is intended to be long-lasting once granted, but the residence card itself is renewed periodically and you must keep your investment and meet conditions.
Permanent residence is a long-term status and a foundation for eventual naturalisation, but citizenship is a separate process with its own residence and eligibility requirements.
The investment generally must be maintained for the prescribed period (commonly five years); permanent residence can be revoked if the investment is not kept.
Family members can apply for Type D visas under the family reunification ground, as a separate application with its own requirements.
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.
Take the assessment or ask Acey, our immigration assistant.
Investment — Bulgaria