If you have seriously decided to settle in Bulgaria, buy real estate, or do business, then a regular tourist visa will not be the best solution. Since it has restrictions, you will need to leave the country and re-issue all documents periodically. This is very inconvenient and involves significant financial costs. Therefore, the optimal solution in this situation is to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria. The BolgariaDom real estate agency team has compiled for you a detailed guide on the types of residence permits in Bulgaria and the procedure for obtaining them.
Types of Residence Permits in Bulgaria
A residence permit in Bulgaria is a status that is the first step for a foreigner on the path to full citizenship. The holder of this status can stay in the country all year round (within the specified period) without the need to apply for a tourist visa.
Bulgaria issues the following types of residence permits:
- Temporary. The validity of this residence permit is limited to 12 months. Provided the grounds for issuance are preserved, it can be extended.
- Long term. The status is established for the first time in 5 years. It can be extended by submitting an appropriate application.
- Constant. Such a residence permit has no validity period and does not need to be renewed.
After 5-10 years (depending on the specific situation) of legal permanent residence in Bulgaria, the holder of the residence permit status can apply for citizenship in this country.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria
A foreigner can obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria. To do this, it is enough not to have a criminal record, as well as to be able to financially support yourself and your family during the entire period of residence in the country.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria:
- Official permission from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to work in Bulgaria – EU Blue Card. To obtain it, you need to find a job in Bulgaria and conclude an employment contract. Long-term residence permits can also be obtained by seasonal workers. To do this, they need to contact the migration service at any regional police department.
- Opening a company in Bulgaria and implementing business activities that provide employment for at least 10 local citizens.
- The residence in the country as a foreign employee on the basis of international agreements ratified by Bulgaria. Employees of companies registered and operating in other countries can also obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria. However, the company must register with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to do this.
- Marriage with a resident of Bulgaria or a person who is in the country legally, for example, with permanent residence status.
- Be financially independent parents of a Bulgarian citizen or a person with permanent residence status.
- Undergoing long-term treatment in one of the medical clinics in Bulgaria. This basis applies to people who need constant care from medical staff and have enough funds for their treatment and care so as not to receive local benefits.
- Be a representative of foreign media accredited in Bulgaria.
- Be a pensioner and have enough money at your disposal to live in the country. The pension amount must be no lower than the average pension in Bulgaria. This fact can be confirmed by providing a bank account statement.
- Be a family member of a foreigner with a residence permit in Bulgaria. Family members are spouses and children until they reach the age of majority (18 years).
- Permission to carry out non-profit activities in the country (for representatives of religious professions), which is issued by the Ministry of Justice.
- Permission from regional authorities of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to carry out free practice (for freelancers). To do this, freelancers need to pass a language exam.
- Be a family member of a Bulgarian citizen. To do this, you need to document the relationship.
- A contract for research activities in Bulgaria, which scientists can obtain.
- The purchase of real estate in Bulgaria is worth over 300 thousand euros.
- Humanitarian status. Having refugee status or any other form of temporary protection is also the basis for issuing a residence permit.
- Investments in economically disadvantaged regions of Bulgaria in the amount of over 125 thousand euros.
- Study in Bulgaria. This basis applies to recipients of secondary education, university students and persons undergoing internships in Bulgaria.
Thus, Bulgarian legislation provides many opportunities for obtaining a residence permit. At the same time, each of them is associated with certain difficulties and a huge number of nuances. In fact, for some reason, obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria is much easier than it might seem at first glance.
Algorithm for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria
In order to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria, you first need to decide whether you fall under one of the grounds for issuing it. If there is such a basis, you can proceed to collecting documents. You will need:
- Application (sample published on the website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs).
- Original and copies of passport with visa stamp. To obtain a category D visa, the applicant submits a dossier to the Bulgarian consulate in his home country. An entry permit is granted for a period of up to 180 days, provided that the applicant has grounds for issuing a residence permit or permanent residence permit.
- Home insurance.
- Medical insurance in one of the European Union companies.
- An income certificate or any other document that confirms the applicant’s solvency is required.
- Document confirming no criminal record in your home country.
- Confirmation of the basis for obtaining a residence permit.
- All documents must be translated into Bulgarian and apostilled.
Documents are submitted upon arrival in Bulgaria. The applicant prepares a dossier and personally goes to the nearest regional department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The authorized body examines the dossier within 14 days from the date of its submission. Subject to the approval of the application, the applicant is invited to the representative office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs so that he personally receives a plastic resident card.
Provided that the grounds for issuing a residence permit remain the same, the owner of this status can apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to extend it.
In what cases can they refuse to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria?
An applicant may be refused in the following cases:
- Submitting an incomplete or fraudulent package of documents for consideration.
- Violations of the laws of Bulgaria or EU countries.
- Having a criminal record.
Also, the issuance of a residence permit may be refused if it turns out that the applicant poses a threat to the public and national security of Bulgaria.
To avoid such situations, the applicant must take the collection of documents seriously, carefully study Bulgarian legislation and strictly comply with all local legal regulations.
After you become the proud owner of a residence permit in Bulgaria, you will have to solve an equally difficult task – buying a home. Using the services of the BolgariaDom company, you can purchase an apartment or cottage in any of the cities you like. We offer various types of real estate, from secondary housing at an affordable price to luxury villas and penthouses. Contact our specialists, and we will select the ideal property for you.