Created on 07.11.2024
Whether you’re planning a quick visit, moving for work, or hoping to settle long-term, Bulgaria has a lot to offer. In this article we will walk you through the essentials of residing in Bulgaria. We’ll cover everything from short-term visas to long-term residency, bringing your family along, residence permits for job or education related purposes in Bulgaria.
STEP I – Obtaining a visa
Short-Term Visits: Do You Need a Visa?
If you’re planning a trip to Bulgaria for tourism, business, or a family visit, and you’re from a non-European union (EU) country, you may need a Visa C. This short-term visa lets you stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within a 6-month period. Just make sure to check the requirements for your specific country of origin well in advance. Click here if you need a visa type C. If you need help sorting out the details, go to our article:
Long - term stay visa D
If you are planning to live in Bulgaria for more than 90 days as a non-EU third-country national, then you will need a visa type D. Visa type D, often referred to as a long-stay visa, allows you to reside in Bulgaria for an extended period, typically longer than 90 days but up to 1 year. This visa is usually intended for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, or other long-term stays. Based on this visa you can apply for a residence permit (see STEP II).
Unlike short-stay Schengen visas (type C) that permit travel across the entire Schengen area for up to 90 days, a type D visa is generally valid only for the issuing country. This means that you can apply for a residence permit only in the country that has granted you visa D. The specific requirements and application process for a type D visa vary by the purpose of stay. You can find more information about the documents needed in these articles where there are sections on visa type D:
Bringing your family to Bulgaria
Access to the labour market for foreigners in Bulgaria and the relevant residence permits
Seasonal jobs for foreigners in Bulgaria
Access to higher education in Bulgaria
Staying in Bulgaria Without a Visa D
There are pathways for you to stay longer, especially if you're a family member of an EU citizen without the need to apply for visa D. More information about your options you can read here:
How to arrange your stay in Bulgaria without applying for a visa D
STEP II – Continuous residence permit
After you have received your type D visa, you can apply for a continuous residence permit. This residence permit grants you the right to live in Bulgaria for up to 1 year. It can be renewed after it has expired. To receive this permit you need to meet certain criteria. For example, you are eligible to receive a continuous residence permit if you:
- wish to work in Bulgaria
We have compiled all the necessary information that you might need regarding working in Bulgaria in the following article:
Access to the labour market for foreigners in Bulgaria and the relevant residence permits
- are a representative of a foreign commercial company with a commercial representation in Bulgaria. For this you need the verification and evaluation of your submitted documents by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry concerning the economic activity and tax compliance of the foreign company for a period of 2 years prior to the registration of the representation, as well as documents concerning its planned activities. A residence permit on this ground can only be granted to no more than 3 representatives of one company.
- are financially insured parent of a Bulgarian national or of a foreigner who holds a permanent residence permit. In this case the documents certifying the family ties (if issued abroad) need to be recognized by Bulgarian authorities and registered in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation.
- have been admitted for long-term treatment in a medical institution and have sufficient financial means for treatment and maintenance, and your health requires you to be under constant qualified medical observation.
- have been granted a pension under the legislation of Bulgaria, your country of origin or another country and have sufficient means of subsistence;
- are a family member of a foreigner with a continuous or permanent residence permit in Bulgaria, as well as foreigner with refugee or humanitarian status or temporary protection. The documents certifying the family ties and the right to maintenance need to be recognized under the Bulgarian legislation. See more here:
Bringing your family to Bulgaria
- are a family member of a Bulgarian national and the documents certifying the family ties (if issued abroad), are recognized under the Bulgarian legislation;
Keep in mind that according to Bulgarian law family members of a foreigner who qualify to be brought over in such a procedure are your spouse, your children under 18 and who haven’t married, and your children over 18 if they need serious medical help and your care. However, if you’re a Bulgarian citizen, these are the family members who qualify: your spouse, your children under 21 who haven’t married, your children over 21 who don’t have their own income, your parents and grandparents.
- wish to carry out freelance activities after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy;
- are wishing to carry out non-profit activities after obtaining permission from the Ministry of Justice
- have been granted special protection status as a victim of human trafficking;
- want to continue your university studies in Bulgaria. Find out more about the accessibility to higher education for foreigners in the following article:
Access to higher education in Bulgaria
This list is not exhaustive and there are other opportunities. We advise you to consult with a lawyer, before pursuing the procedure.
Seasonal Work for foreigners in Bulgaria
If you haven’t set your mind on moving to Bulgaria permanent, seasonal work might be the perfect option since it is common practice for Bulgarian employers to hire foreigners for short-term seasonal work in the field of hospitality, tourism, agriculture, or construction. Seasonal work permits are easier to obtain than long-term work permits and are valid from 90 days to 9 months in a 12-month period.
If you need to know more about seasonal work opportunities in Bulgaria, the following page provides all the details:
Seasonal jobs for foreigners in Bulgaria
STEP III - Permanent and prolonged residence permit
For longer stays, whether for work, family, or personal reasons, you'll need either a long-term or permanent residence permit.
But in order to obtain both permits in most cases you need to have resided in Bulgaria already for at least 5 or in some cases 3 years. Meaning, you must have received a continuous residence permit and even renewed it a few times. Learn more about the criteria and the exceptions when it comes to obtaining a long-term or permanent residence permits here :
Right to long-term or permanent residence permit in Bulgaria
Permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for stateless people from the former Soviet republics
STEP IV – Bulgarian nationality
After you have resided in Bulgaria for a certain amount of years, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship. In most cases it is necessary to have lived in Bulgaria for 5 years with a permanent or long-term residence permit to be eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship. If you have a refugee status or are stateless and have lived here with a long-term or permanent residence permit, you can apply after 3 years. There are certain criteria you need to meet and documents you need to submit in this procedure. You can read more here:
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