RESIDENCE IN BULGARIA

FOREIGN CITIZENS

Upon entry into the Republic of Bulgaria foreign citizens must possess a valid document for travelling abroad or other substituting document and a visa, if it is  required.

Visa is not required when it is provided for in Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001 of the Council, other binding EU acts, an international treaty to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party or an act of the Council of Ministers. No visa is required also if the foreign citizen has a valid permit for a continuous, long-term or permanent residence in the Republic of Bulgaria.

Foreign citizens can stay in the Republic of Bulgaria: on a short-term basis – up to 3 months from the date of entry into the country; continuously – with a permit for up to 1 year; on a long-term basis – with permitted initial term of 5 years that is renewable upon application; permanently – with permitted unlimited term.

These terms do not apply to foreign citizens who have been granted protection under the Asylum and Refugees Act. To obtain a continous residence permit, foreigners must submit an application to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. The foreign citizen must have secured accommodation, obligatory health insurance, social insurance and sufficient funds to maintainance without recourse to the social assistance system, in an amount not less than the minimal month salary or the minimum pension under the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period of residence.

RESIDENCE FOR EU CITIZENS

EU citizen may enter and leave the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a valid ID card or valid passport. EU citizens and their family members do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria. But if you are staying for more than 3 months, you will need residency permit. We will assist you in getting long-term residence (up to 5 years) and permanent residence in Bulgaria. Usually the Bulgarian ID card should be ready within one week time.