15 June 2026
Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment
Bulgaria's citizenship by investment program has ended. See the residence options still open to investors and contact our immigration lawyers for advice.
Bulgaria terminated its citizenship by investment program in 2022.
Our team of immigration lawyers in Bulgaria outlines some of the most important options for obtaining permanent residence. For more detailed information, as well as details according to nationality, please do not hesitate to reach out to our specialists.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU) | Non-EU nationals |
Business investment option | Yes, minimum investment of 250,000 EUR |
Real estate investment option | – |
| Other investment options (if available) | – |
| Residence or direct citizenship option | Permanent residency only; accelerated citizenship was abolished in 2022 |
| Direct immigration with family members | Yes |
| Family members allowed to join the program | Yes, spouse and minor children |
| Dual citizenship permitted | Yes |
| Reasons to choose Bulgaria | – low personal and corporate income tax, – cheap property prices, – access to EU residency, – free travel to numerous countries, – multiple business possibilities |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) | Approx. 190 countries |
| Availability of citizenship by investment (Yes/No) | No, the Bulgarian citizenship by investment program was discontinued. |
Possibility to apply for residency by investment (Yes/No) | Yes, a residency by investment scheme replaced the citizenship one. |
Investment options under the new residency program | – Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), – Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), – company shares listed on the Stock Exchange |
| Minimum investment amount to secure residency | EUR 511,292 (formerly BGN 1 million) |
| Minimum maintenance of the investment to retain residency (if any) | Yes, the investment must be maintained for 5 years. |
| Access to permanent residency (YES/NO) | Yes, the new program grants access to direct permanent residency. |
| Living requirements (if any) | No, there is no requirement to live in Bulgaria to obtain permanent residency under this program. |
| Access to citizenship | Citizenship by naturalization is available after 5 years. |
| Access to fast-track citizenship (YES/NO) | No, this option is no longer available. |
| Support in applying for a golden visa | Yes, our lawyers in Bulgaria can help you apply for a golden visa. |
How can I acquire residence and citizenship in Bulgaria at this moment?
The main steps to obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria are described below by our lawyers in Bulgaria:
- choose the investment option: foreign entrepreneurs can now start a business instead of applying for the citizenship by investment scheme;
- apply for the visa type D: this is the visa type that allows for permanent residence, and it is applied for with the Embassy or Consulate in the investor’s country of origin;
- apply for residence: once the visa is approved, the investor can travel to Bulgaria and submit the residence application;
- collect the permit: the permanent residence permit is issued by the Migration Directorate, belonging to the Ministry of Interior.
In order to convert your temporary residency to permanent residency in Bulgaria, you must live in this country for 30 months during any 5-year term. One of the most common ways to secure citizenship in Bulgaria is naturalization.
- What are the steps to move to Bulgaria and obtain residence as an investor in 2026?
The following criteria must be met in order to apply for a foreign investor visa:
- candidates must not be citizens of any EU country and must be at least 18 years old;
- applicants must be in good personal health and have no criminal records;
- the assets required to finish an investment must be available to investors.
Foreign investors interested in immigration to Bulgaria can also obtain permanent residence. Here is also an infographic on this subject:
What are my main options if I want to relocate to Bulgaria through investment?
The following:
- starting a business and applying for temporary residency;
- accessing the residence by investment program.
What are the differences between these two options?
The most important difference is the investment amount, which is required if you want to apply for residency by investment. The second difference is the condition to make a specific investment under the same dedicated scheme.
Our immigration lawyers in Bulgaria recommend that you base your decision on flexibility: choose the option that aligns most with your interests.
What are my options if I decide on the Residency by Investment Scheme?
You have two options:
- to invest in Alternative Investment Funds or Exchange Traded Funds;
- to buy stocks in Bulgarian companies traded on the Stock Exchange.
What is the minimum amount to invest under the new program?
The minimum investment is EUR 511,292 (formerly BGN 1 million). The advantage is that you can now invest in euros directly, since Bulgaria adopted it as an official currency at the beginning of 2026. This allows for a more streamlined procedure, without you having to worry about conversion rates.
Do I need to comply with specific requirements to enter the Residency by Investment program?
Yes, you need to have an EUR bank account in a FATF (Financial Action Task Force) state to make the money transfer.
Do I need to live in Bulgaria to qualify for Bulgarian Residency by Investment?
No.
If I decide to move to Bulgaria, can I do so with my family?
Yes, you can include close family members on the same application. You can include your spouse, children, and even your parents.
If you are looking to relocate to Bulgaria and need support, contact us. Our specialists can help you. Here is also a video on this subject:
How long does it take to obtain the Bulgarian residence permit?
The procedure is completed in about 6 months. Please note that you must also apply for a national D visa before obtaining the permanent residence card.
How long do I have to live in Bulgaria to become a citizen?
You need to live for at least 5 years based on the permanent residence card. This is important to note, as if you choose another immigration pathway, you must first live here for 5 years until you become eligible for permanent residency, and 5 years more to be allowed to apply for Bulgarian citizenship.
If you wish to know more about the investment options for acquiring residence and later citizenship in Bulgaria, please reach out to the experts at our law firm in Bulgaria.