Residence Permit
One of the services we provide is assistance in obtaining a temporary, long-term or permanent residence status in the Republic of Bulgaria for foreign nationals.
In view of the specific and dynamic nature of this matter, and as a result of the ever increasing interest on the part of foreign nationals coming to Bulgaria, we are striving to provide for our clients security and successful solutions from the initial preparation of documentation to obtaining a residence permit and its extention.
European citizens who wish to enter and stay in Bulgaria do not need a visa. Foreign nationals are divided into two categories – those who must be in possession of visa when crossing the borders of the Republic of Bulgaria and those who are exempt from that requirement.
Foreigners who wish to reside in Bulgaria on a long-term basis (in any case more than three months within a six-month period) need to be issued a residence permit. European citizens who intend to stay in Bulgaria longer than three months are issued residence certificates (see our section for that service) instead of residence permits.
EU Citizens
EU citizens enter and leave the country with just an ID card or Passport. Family members who are not EU nationals enter the country with a passport and visa (if required). No visa is required for family members when the EU citizen accompanies them or is going to join them and at the same time, family members present the residence card of a family member of an EU citizen, issued by another EU member state.
EU citizens and their family members may remain on the territory of Bulgaria for a period of 3 months.
Requirements to obtain Bulgarian residence and Bulgarian ID card for EU citizens are as follows:
- Opening a personal bank account and deposit of at least 2,000 € as evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay in Bulgaria without relying on the Bulgarian social system (the funds can be withdrawn on the same day after the bank issues a bank reference)
- Singing a rent contract for twelve months as evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria (full assistance is provided) or providing a property deed
- A valid European Health Insurance Card – EHIC. If you do not have a valid EHIC card you have to buy local health insurance.
- Preparing the set of application documents.
EU citizens may apply for Bulgarian residence and a Bulgarian ID card with their national ID or passport. This is an administrative procedure that can be completed in just three working days and requires your personal presence at the time of the application.
This service is particularly attractive to British citizens who fear restrictions on their free movement in the European Union after Brexit.