Bulgaria Golden Visa: Bulgarian Residence Permit by Investment

What is the Bulgaria Golden Visa?

The Bulgaria Golden Visa (golden visa) is a program that grants foreigners a permanent residence permit. It is also known as the Bulgarian Investor Visa. Stay informed about Bulgaria Golden Visa benefits and developments.

  • Minimum fund investment of €512,000
  • Application process 3-6 months
  • No residency obligation
  • Family members included in the program
  • Right to citizenship after 5 years
  • Free movement within the Schengen area
  • Europe’s lowest tax rates; 10% tax reduction
bulgaria-residence-permit-citizenship
bulgaria-investor-visa
Bulgarian Residence Permit
0 %

Bulgaria Golden Visa Requirements

For the Bulgaria Golden Visa application, the investor must invest at least €512,000 in eligible funds and prove that they have a source of income exceeding the investment amount. Apart from this, the general application requirements are as follows:

  • Being at least 18 years old
  • Not being an EU/EEA citizen
  • Having health insurance
  • Clean criminal record
  • Not posing a risk to national security
  • Maintaining the investment for at least five years

Who Can Benefit?

The Bulgaria residence permit by investment program covers the investor, the investor’s spouse, children under 18, and economically dependent children over 18 (proof of economic dependency and/or student status is required). Additionally, financially dependent parents of the investor and/or spouse are also included in the program.

Application Process

How to Get a Bulgaria Golden Visa?

The Bulgaria Golden Visa application is completed within 3 to 6 months. Our partners track the application process end-to-end to ensure it proceeds smoothly. During the application process, preliminary procedures for the Bulgarian residence card can be initiated remotely.

Pre-Approval Process

Prior to the investment, the Bulgarian Investment Agency checks your source of income, whether you are a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), that your criminal record is clean, and your bank account status in an FATF-compliant country.

Acquisition of Investment Certificate

You must make your investment through Bulgarian AIF (Alternative Investment Funds) or ETF (Exchange Traded Funds). An investment certificate is obtained from the institution where you invest.

Visa Application (Investor Visa Type D)

A long-term Type D visa application is made to the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate. The visa is issued within an average of 4 weeks.

Residence Permit Application

An application for a permanent residence permit is made to the Bulgarian Migration Directorate. At this stage, it is necessary to go to Bulgaria for biometric verification.

Delivery of Bulgarian Residence Card

The residence card is obtained after the permanent residence permit is approved. After obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria, you are not obliged to reside in the country.

Renewal of Bulgarian Residence Permit

The card is indefinite; however, it must be renewed every 5 years on the condition that the investment is maintained. If you permanently reside in Bulgaria for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship.

Bulgaria Golden Visa Investment Options

Within the scope of the Bulgaria residence permit program, there is currently only a single investment option. Investors must make an investment of at least €512,000 through Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). For the investment to be considered valid, the funds must meet the following conditions:

  • The fund must be authorized by the Financial Supervision Commission of Bulgaria,
  • Must have assets of at least 5,000,000 BGN (approximately €2.5 million),
  • Investments must be made in Bulgarian companies or companies traded on the Bulgarian market and bonds,
  • The fund portfolio must directly include shares or bonds of Bulgarian companies.
bulgaria-residence-permit-citizenship
0 + Gain Citizenship in Europe After Years!

bulgaria-golden-visa
bulgaria-golden-visa
0 + People Obtained Residence in Bulgaria Through Investment

Does Bulgaria Grant Citizenship by Investment?

Bulgaria had a program called “citizenship by investment” that offered citizenship by investment. Under this program, investors could apply for citizenship quickly and easily. However, Bulgaria terminated citizenship by investment in 2022. Today, investors can still obtain Bulgarian citizenship through investment, but they must first obtain a residence permit. Investors who maintain their investment for five years can then apply for citizenship. The requirements to apply for citizenship by investment are as follows:

  • Having no criminal record
  • Knowledge of the Bulgarian language
  • Financial status proving that you can support yourself in Bulgaria
  • Having resided in Bulgaria for five years

Prices, Costs

Bulgaria Golden Visa Cost

The minimum investment amount required for the Bulgaria Investor Visa is €512,000. Total costs may vary depending on the applicant’s family status and the preferred scope of services. However, on average, Bulgaria Golden Visa costs are as follows:

  • Fund Fee: €512,000
  • Fund Management Fees: ~ 1% (on the invested fund)
  • Performance Fee: ~ 25% (on profit, under certain conditions)
  • Application Fees: ~ €5,000 – €10,000
  • Legal & Consultancy Fees: ~ €5,000 – €20,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bulgaria Golden Visa pre-approval process take?

On average, the approval process is completed within 10 weeks.

What is the advantage of the Bulgaria Golden Visa program?

The most important feature that distinguishes the Bulgaria Golden Visa program from other programs is that permanent residency is granted directly instead of temporary residency at the beginning. Permanent residency status can be maintained without the obligation to live physically in Bulgaria. Permanent residency cards only need to be renewed every 5 years.

What are the requirements to obtain a Bulgaria residency permit through investment?

Main conditions include investing 512,000 € in an approved investment fund, the investor having no criminal record, the funds being obtained from legal sources, the investor not being a politically exposed person (PEP), having a Euro account in a country complying with FATF rules, and maintaining the investment for at least 5 years after obtaining permanent residency.

Can my children study in Bulgaria?

Yes, your children have the right to education in Bulgaria.

Who can hold a Bulgaria residency card along with me?

Your spouse and children under 18 can get permanent residency with you. In addition, after your and your spouse's residency permits are approved, your parents or your spouse's parents can apply for a residency permit. If your spouse has been married to the Golden Visa investor for at least 5 years, they can get permanent residency. If the duration of marriage is shorter, the spouse only qualifies for a temporary residency permit.

Will I pay taxes in Bulgaria?

No, it's not mandatory. As a permanent residency holder, you can choose whether or not to pay your taxes in Bulgaria or in another country.

How does the application for Bulgarian citizenship take place after the residency permit?

After obtaining permanent residency, investors can apply for Bulgarian citizenship by maintaining this status for 5 years. For the application, it is required to show that income is generated from Bulgaria and to fulfill the language requirement (exam or exemption). After the application is made, the process takes about 12 months and final approval is usually given within an additional 6 months.

What is an AIF?

An alternative investment fund (AIF) is a collective investment structure that manages capital pooled from investors in line with a specific strategy, administered by a registered fund manager (AIFM) and supervised by a national regulatory authority.

What are the documents required for a Bulgaria residency permit?

Documents required for a Bulgaria residency permit include; passport; criminal record certificate; birth certificate; photograph; documents proving your financial income; marriage certificate (if any); proof of qualified investment; anti-money laundering declaration; politically exposed person declaration, and power of attorney. All documents must be attested.

Does the Bulgaria residency permit program through investment grant a work permit?

After obtaining a residency permit in Bulgaria, you gain the right to reside, establish a business, and engage in commercial activities. Investors can establish their own companies and work through this company. However, to work in a workplace, you must make a separate application.

Does Bulgaria grant citizenship when you buy a house?

No, buying a house in Bulgaria does not grant citizenship directly. To get citizenship, you must first get a residency permit and then apply for citizenship after living in the country for 5 years.

In how many years does Bulgaria grant citizenship?

After living in Bulgaria continuously for 5 years, you become eligible to obtain a permanent residence permit and then you can apply for citizenship. Language proficiency, integration, clean criminal record, and source of income are among the application conditions.

Does Bulgaria grant dual citizenship?

Yes, Bulgaria permits dual citizenship. Citizens of the Republic of Turkey can hold both Turkish and Bulgarian passports at the same time.

Which countries can be visited with a Bulgaria residency permit?

With a Bulgaria residency permit, you can travel visa-free to Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. These countries are Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Does Bulgaria give a Golden Visa?

Yes, Bulgaria has a program that provides residency through investment.

How is a Bulgaria residency permit obtained?

A Bulgaria residency permit can be obtained through investment. You can earn the right to a permanent residency card in Bulgaria along with your family by making a fund investment worth a minimum of 512,000 €.

Evaluate Investment Options!


You can review country programs and contact us to evaluate a customized investment option for you.

You Can Visit Our Articles Page:

Tax Rules Renewed for Greece Golden Visa Investors!<br loading=">
Blog

Tax Rules Renewed for Greece Golden Visa Investors!

View Details
goldenvisasolutions

The First Golden Visa Platform

Instagram Facebook-f Twitter Icon-email Icon-phone-call Linkedin

© All rights reserved