Immigration. Travel. Living.

Bulgaria: receiving a residence permit

Flag of Bulgaria

It is not surprising that many are interested in the possibility of getting a residence permit in Bulgaria for the purpose of subsequent emigration.

What does a residence permit in Bulgaria give?

After obtaining a permit to stay, you will be able to:

  • stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for 1 year with unlimited entry-exit;
  • send your child to a kindergarten or school for free;
  • study at a university on a paid basis;
  • open your own business;
  • buy a car for a company or sales representative;
  • visit Cyprus, Romania, and Croatia without opening a visa;
  • receive mobile communication and Internet services at a better price;
  • invite others to your place.

 

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria

You can get a permit to stay based on:

  • family reunification;
  • study;
  • employment under the official permission from the Employment Agency or an international agreement;
  • opening a sales office;
  • long-term treatment;
  • marriage with a Bulgarian citizen;
  • large investments;
  • moving to permanent residence under the โ€œsecured pensionerโ€ program.

 

Family reunification

A citizen of Bulgaria or a foreigner with a residence permit status has the right to bring close family members to the country: spouse, children, brother, sister.

The first step is to obtain permission from the Migration Agency for family reunification. To do this, you need to confirm a close relationship with the person with whom you want to reunite and issue a sponsorship letter stating that you undertake to contain it.

Having received permission, you must apply for a D visa, register at the place of residence in the country, and apply for a permit to stay in Bulgaria based on family reunification.

woman holding man and toddler hands during daytime

The following documents are required:

  • reunification application;
  • notarized guarantee of the availability of funds to ensure the familyโ€™s life in Bulgaria;
  • passportsโ€™ photocopies of the family members with whom you want to reunite;
  • documents on the availability of housing (own or rented);
  • a certified and legalized certificate of the presence/absence of a criminal record;
  • marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child).

 

Training

The Aliens Act states that admission to a local university on a paid basis gives the right to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria.

After arriving in the country on a D visa, you need to obtain permission from the Ministry of Education of Bulgaria, where you must submit the following package of documents:

  • certificate or diploma;
  • notarized photocopy of your passport;
  • medical book;
  • academic certificate on the number of hours listened;
  • consent from studentโ€™s legal representatives to pay for tuition;
  • statement from an account in a Bulgarian bank about the balance of funds;
  • registration documents;
  • a photo.

Then, together with a permit from the Ministry of Education, it is necessary to prepare the following documents for obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria:

  • international passport (including a copy);
  • visa application form;
  • 2 photos;
  • medical insurance;
  • receipt of the balance of money in the account in the Bulgarian bank;
  • criminal record certificate;
  • documents confirming the availability of housing.

 

Consider also the fact that in addition, you need to pass an online test for proficiency in English (you will have to pay 150 โ‚ฌ for it.

 

Employment

To get a residence permit in Bulgaria based on employment, the employer must request permission from the National Employment Agency, providing:

  • passport with a D visa;
  • a photo;
  • proof of accommodation;
  • medical certificate;
  • a document describing the type of activity you will be doing.

 

The following professions are in demand in Bulgaria: IT specialists, teachers for school institutions, teachers for universities, medical workers, and employees of various specializations in working with tourists. See the jobs.bg website for up-to-date information.

 

Moving under the program “secured pensioner”

Foreigners who have received the right to a pension (no matter on what basis) and have at least โ‚ฌ 3,000 in an account in a Bulgarian bank, as well as provided with housing (own or rented), have the right to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria.

woman sitting on seashore

Here is a list of documents that a pensioner needs to submit to the Migration Service:

  • application for a residence permit;
  • passport valid for at least 18 months + a copy of the first page with a photo, with a “D” visa and the seal of the last entry into Bulgaria;
  • notarial deed for own housing or lease agreement;
  • a notarized copy of the pension certificate (with translation into Bulgarian and legalization);
  • a photocopy of the certificate of the received a pension for the last three months (with translation and legalization);
  • certificate of no criminal record;
  • extract from a Bulgarian bank confirming the availability of funds in the amount of more than 12 minimum pensions in the Republic of Bulgaria;
  • medical insurance with coverage from โ‚ฌ 30,000;
  • receipt of payment of the fee for consideration of the application at the Directorate for Migration.

 

Marriage

The spouse of a Bulgarian citizen has the right to get a residence permit in Bulgaria on the basis of a marriage certificate.

After obtaining a D visa at the Bulgarian embassy at the place of residence, you must arrive in the country and submit the following documents to the Migration Service:

  • application for a residence permit;
  • international passport (original + photocopy);
  • marriage certificate;
  • notarized paper confirming that the spouse has money and housing;
  • compulsory health insurance policy valid for more than 1 year;
  • criminal record certificate.

Investments

You can get a permit to stay in Bulgaria if you buy real estate there for an amount of โ‚ฌ 300,000 or more under the Golden Visa program or own at least 51% of the shares of a Bulgarian company that has invested โ‚ฌ 300,000 or more in Bulgarian real estate.

Treatment

If you have health certificates and have agreed on a treatment plan with a doctor in the Bulgarian hospital, you can expect to receive a permit to stay, provided that you:

  • need long-term treatment;
  • have enough money to pay for the course of treatment; 

(The Bulgarian social service will not have to bear the costs of your hospital stay);

  • you don’t need constant medical attention.

Expenses for obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria

Here are some of the cost items:

  • consideration of the application at the Directorate for Migration – 5 โ‚ฌ;
  • residence permit – 100 โ‚ฌ for six months or 250 โ‚ฌ for a year;
  • getting a personal card – 22 โ‚ฌ for 1 month, 45 โ‚ฌ for 10 days, 110 โ‚ฌ for 3 days;
  • registration on the basis of a sales representative – from 580 โ‚ฌ.

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