Bulgaria has stepped into the spotlight as a top choice for investors seeking permanent residency in Europe.
With Schengen membership secured in January 2025 and euro adoption around the corner in 2026, the country has transformed from a peripheral option into a genuine gateway to the European Union (EU).
Bulgaria’s economy continues to expand, with GDP for 2025 projected at roughly $117 billion in current prices and around $292 billion in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) terms. Add to that a flat 10% tax rate and a cost of living a fraction of Western Europe’s, and you have a program that balances accessibility, stability, and opportunity.
Here’s what you need to know about securing Bulgarian permanent residency by investment.
What Does Permanent Residency in Bulgaria Mean?
Permanent residency in Bulgaria is not a short-term visa or a yearly permit. It’s a stable, long-term status that lets you:
- Live, work, and study in Bulgaria indefinitely
- Renew your residency card only once every five years
- Open bank accounts, own property, and set up businesses
- Travel freely across Schengen countries (effective 2025)
Permanent residency is not just about Bulgaria itself; it’s about securing a European foothold that can lead to citizenship, and with it, a powerful EU passport.
The Investment Route
To qualify, you’ll need to commit €512,000 into a licensed Bulgarian investment fund (AIF or ETF). These funds are strictly regulated, managed by authorized institutions, and designed to channel capital into the Bulgarian economy transparently.
Unlike property-driven programs elsewhere in Europe, Bulgaria’s structure leans on fund-based investments. That means no speculative real estate purchases, no concerns about bubbles, and no illiquid assets tying up your wealth.
How to Exit Your Bulgarian Permanent Residency Investment
Your capital isn’t locked away forever. Once Bulgarian permanent residency is granted, you’re generally required to maintain the investment for about five years. After that, funds can be redeemed in line with program rules. For investors used to indefinite lock-ins elsewhere, this flexibility is a welcome change.
Who’s Eligible for Bulgarian Permanent Residency?
The program is refreshingly inclusive and designed to cover not just investors themselves but also their close family members.
- Main applicant: Any individual over 18 with a clean criminal record can apply, provided they meet the investment criteria.
- Family: Spouses and children under 18 can be included in the same application, ensuring families stay together throughout the residency process.
- Parents: Financially dependent parents may also qualify for temporary residency, extending support and security to the wider family circle.
This broad eligibility framework makes the Bulgarian program particularly attractive for applicants seeking long-term stability and flexibility for their loved ones.
From Permanent Residency to Bulgarian Citizenship
Permanent residency is the door. Bulgarian Citizenship is the destination. After five years as a permanent residency holder, you can apply for naturalization, provided you:
- Maintain your residency status
- Demonstrate the Bulgarian language at the A2 level (conversational Bulgarian)
- Meet any legal requirements (some applicants may need to renounce other citizenships, depending on their country of origin)
Citizenship unlocks one of the world’s most respected passports, granting the right to live, work, and travel across all EU member states, a legacy you can pass to future generations.
Once approved, Bulgarian citizenship grants full EU rights, including free movement, work, and business establishment across all 27 member states, plus comprehensive Schengen benefits. The Bulgarian passport currently ranks among the world’s most powerful, offering visa-free access to 174 countries, including Canada, Australia, and Japan.
How Bulgaria Stacks Up Against Other EU Programs
When compared side by side, Bulgaria’s residency-by-investment program delivers a balance of affordability, security, and long-term opportunity that few EU countries can match.
Advantages at a Glance
- Moderate entry point: At €512,000, Bulgaria’s threshold is competitive and significantly more accessible than programs, which often require higher capital outlays
- Cost of living: Around €700–€1,200 for a single person (city-dependent), versus €3,000+ in Germany or France
- Stability: The program is based on regulated funds rather than speculative real estate, ensuring less exposure to property bubbles and market volatility
- Schengen membership: Effective since January 2025, opening seamless travel across most of Europe without extra visas
- Euro adoption: Expected in 2026, reducing currency risks and further aligning Bulgaria with the EU economic mainstream.
There is also no physical stay requirement. Bulgaria is one of the few EU countries where a special exemption from mandatory residence is built into the law, meaning you can maintain PR without living in the country full-time.
Where other European residency schemes have tightened or disappeared altogether, Bulgaria has quietly held its course, and with Bulgaria’s Schengen integration now a reality, its value proposition has never been stronger.
Are There Any Restrictions?
While Bulgaria’s permanent residency program is broadly accessible, there are specific restrictions based on geopolitical and security considerations. Citizens of Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Myanmar are not eligible to apply. In addition, applications from Russia and certain territories of Ukraine (Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk) are excluded due to EU sanctions and international policy alignment.
These restrictions reflect Bulgaria’s compliance with broader EU regulations, meaning that applicants from the listed countries will need to explore alternative residency or citizenship options elsewhere in Europe or globally.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The Bulgarian PR program is designed to be straightforward, but it does involve several clear stages. Here’s how the process usually unfolds:
Step 1 (Month 1): File preparation & submission
You prepare the necessary documents (High Net Worth Immigration can help with that) and pay the application fees.
Step 2 (Month 1): Consulate appointment
You’ll visit a Bulgarian Consulate to sign key application documents.
Step 3 (Month 1): Pre-approval
The Invest Bulgaria Agency reviews and pre-approves your application.
Step 4 (Months 2–4): Investment transfer
At this stage, you transfer the required €512,000 investment into the licensed Bulgarian fund.
Step 5 (Months 2–4): Investment certificate
Once the transfer is confirmed, you’ll be issued an Investment Certificate.
Step 6 (Months 5–6): Visa D application
You attend a second consulate appointment to apply for a long-stay Visa D.
Step 7 (Months 5–6): First trip to Bulgaria
Your Visa D is granted. You travel to Bulgaria to submit your permanent residency (PR) application.
Step 8 (Months 7–9): PR approval & second trip
Once approved, you return to Bulgaria to finalize the process and apply for your Bulgarian PR card.
Step 9 (Months 7–9): PR card issued
Your Bulgarian PR card is typically ready within three business days of application.
For Family Members:
Once the main applicant receives their Bulgarian ID, qualifying family members (spouse and children under 18) can apply. This process usually takes 4–5 months and requires two short trips to Bulgaria.
Apply for Bulgarian Residency by Investment with the Help of High Net Worth Immigration
If you’re weighing your European options, Bulgaria deserves serious consideration. It combines affordability with EU alignment, short processing times, and a clear pathway to citizenship.
At High Net Worth Immigration, we can help you with your application. From evaluating your eligibility and preparing the required documentation to liaising with Bulgarian authorities and ensuring compliance at every stage, our team handles the complexities so you can focus on the opportunities ahead.
We’ll break down the numbers, highlight the risks, and map out the benefits in a way that’s clear, practical, and tailored to your circumstances.
Whether you’re looking to secure a stronger passport, expand your business footprint in Europe, or provide long-term security for your family, our expertise ensures your application is positioned for success.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
FAQs
Can my whole family be included?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 can be added to the same application. This means the entire family benefits from residency status once it’s granted. Dependent parents may also qualify for temporary residency, giving extended family members a pathway to remain connected. Each family member receives their own residency card, making travel, banking, and local access smoother for everyone.
How long is the process?
The residency process is relatively efficient compared to other EU programs. On average, approval takes about 6-9 months, though in some cases it may extend a bit depending on documentation or local administrative backlogs. The steps typically include securing a D visa, completing the investment, submitting biometrics, and then receiving the permanent residency card. With proper preparation, delays can usually be minimized.
Do I need to relocate to Bulgaria full-time?
No. Bulgaria does not impose a strict physical residence requirement for maintaining permanent residency. You’re free to travel, live, or work elsewhere, provided your investment remains in place and you renew your residency card every five years. You do have to visit any EU country every 12 months, while not being absent from Bulgaria for more than 5 years.
How secure is the investment?
The program is built around licensed and regulated funds overseen by Bulgaria’s financial authorities. Unlike real estate schemes vulnerable to market swings, this structure offers liquidity and transparency. Your capital remains invested in Bulgarian assets but can typically be redeemed after the required holding period, giving you both security and flexibility.
What about taxes in Bulgaria?
Taxation in Bulgaria is highly favorable. Unless you register as a Bulgarian tax resident, you’ll only be taxed on Bulgarian-sourced income at a flat 10% rate, the lowest in the EU. Global income remains outside Bulgaria’s scope unless you spend more than 183 days per year in the country or otherwise establish tax residency.
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