Obtain Golden Visa in Bulgaria

Starting with April 2022, the citizenship-by-investment (golden passport) program has been terminated; investment-based residence permits remain available.

Even if the Bulgarian golden passport is no longer available, foreign citizens still have options through which they can relocate and obtain residency followed by citizenship. An example is the Startup Visa Scheme. If you are interested in moving to Bulgaria and applying for an alternative to the former golden visa, our lawyers are at your service with information and guidance through the entire procedure.

How to obtain a Bulgarian residency by purchasing a property

By far, one of the most advantageous ways of moving to Bulgaria in 2026 is to acquire a property. This option was also available under the golden visa. Now, foreign citizens can buy real estate in some of the most beautiful areas of the country, either by the sea or in the mountains, and enjoy all the benefits that come with owning a property here the usual way.

When seeking to buy a property, the future owner must consider the following:

• to complete the due diligence procedure through which the real estate is verified for encumbrances;
• to consider an advance payment in order to secure the selected house or apartment.

Foreign citizens can buy houses, apartments, or other types of properties and they can relocate to Bulgaria rather simply after obtaining their residence permits.

If you need support in drafting the paperwork for acquiring a property in Bulgaria, you can rely on our lawyers who are at your disposal.

Obtaining a Bulgarian residence permit as an entrepreneur in 2026

Opening a business in Bulgaria is a wise decision for those who want to enjoy one of the lowest corporate taxes in Europe. Apart from this, the registration procedure is fairly simple and can be completed in just a few days.

This is also one of the fastest ways of obtaining a Bulgarian residence permit in 2026.

Our law firm in Bulgaria can help foreign investors with the following:

• drafting the incorporation paperwork;
• filing the documents with the Trade Register;
• registering the company for taxation and VAT purposes.

However, compared to the usual route through which a regular residence permit can be obtained, it is worth noting that when seeking to obtain a Bulgarian investor visa, the minimum investment was 250,000 euros. Now, this requirement no longer applies.

If you need support in applying for an alternative to the Bulgarian golden visa, do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialists for details on the latest developments.

Family immigration in 2026

One of the main advantages of immigrating to Bulgaria based on the golden visa program was that it also enabled family relocation. The main applicant could bring his/her spouse and children with him/her. However, in this case, the application fees were higher.

Our Bulgarian lawyers can assist foreign citizens who have obtained the investor visa before the program closed and who want to bring their family members here. We also provide tailored support to those who need guidance in preparing the documents for extended family immigration.

Discover the main alternatives to a Bulgarian golden visa in the infographic below:

The Bulgarian business permit as an alternative to the Golden Visa

For starting a company, the Bulgarian business visa can be a great option for those who do not intend to move here permanently, or who first want to get acquainted with the lifestyle here. The main advantage of such a visa is that once issued, it has a validity of 6 months and allows for multiple entries, each visit being limited to 3 months.

The business visa can also be issued under the form of a long-term residence permit, provided that the applicant commits to:

1. starting a new company that hires a minimum number of 10 Bulgarian citizens for at least 6 months;
2. starting a branch office that employs at least 10 Bulgarian citizens for a minimum period of 6 months.

The business visa for Bulgaria is a great alternative for many entrepreneurs who also need to:

• attend business meetings;
• act as representatives for companies overseas with Bulgarian branches;
• participate in conferences;
• meet with Bulgarian clients.

The procedure of obtaining such a visa is straightforward and can usually be completed online. However, it is recommended to first verify the right type of visa one must apply for. The applicant must submit the application form alongside a recent photo and the receipt for paying the visa fee.

The business visa is usually issued within approximately 10 working days.

Foreign entrepreneurs seeking to apply for Bulgarian business visas must also make sure they meet the following conditions:

• proof of owning a company and details about the purpose of visit;
• those participating in business meetings or conferences, invitation letters can be used as proof for the visa;
• travel medical insurance (minimum coverage EUR 30,000) is also required for visa applicants;
• a clean criminal record may also be required in certain cases;
• proof of sufficient funds for the duration of stay must also be submitted in the form of a bank statement.

Foreign citizens who want to apply for a Bulgarian business visa can rely on our immigration lawyers. We can also assist those who want to obtain residency by marriage for those who want to bring their foreign spouses here.

What to consider when filing for a Bulgarian business visa

When compared to the former golden visa scheme, a Bulgarian business permit has both advantages and disadvantages. However, oftentimes, the benefits surpass the downside of the business visa.

Here are some important aspects that could determine you to opt for a business visa in Bulgaria instead of a residence permit:

• you can also set up a representative office for your foreign company in Bulgaria, which is one of the simplest and fastest ways to have a business presence here;
• through a liaison office, you do not need to hire employees (however, you can optionally do that);
• you need to file fewer documents when applying for a Bulgarian business visa;
• the validity of your passport must be at least 3 months (compared to the 6 months recommended for residence permits);
• you must have sufficient funds to sustain your stay in Bulgaria, which is considerably less compared to the minimum investment required under a golden visa, for example;
• you can enter and exit the country anytime you need, without being bound to respect living conditions based on a specific residence program.

If you are interested in immigration to Bulgaria without having to necessarily apply for a Bulgarian residence permit, the business visa may be a great choice, especially if you are an entrepreneur.

Our lawyers in Bulgaria can advise on how to obtain it.

The Bulgarian startup visa – a new program for foreign investors

Introduced in 2021 through amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (implementing rules adopted in 2022), the Startup Visa program aims to attract foreign investors from outside the European Union. There are several conditions to be met by those who want to enter the program, and among them we mention the following:

• one must create an innovative company;
• for this purpose, the applicant must obtain a certificate from the Bulgarian Ministry of Innovation and Growth;
• the visa holder must own more than 50% of the company, thus one can also enter a partnership with the spouse and move to Bulgaria together.
• In order to obtain the Ministry's certificate, specific information must be submitted, among which:
• relevant experience of the founder in the field the business will operate in;
• the innovative character of the business and the potential of the business to make a profit;
• the use of technology in the project and if the respective technology is registered or not as intellectual property;
• endorsements by sponsors, venture capital funds, or other parties can also be filed.

Non-EU candidates can apply for start-up visas online and send the necessary paperwork in English to the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. Applicants must supply:

• their names;
• birthplace;
• phone number;
• valid email address.

Candidates must also provide the name, address, and registered number of their business.

In terms of documents to obtain the visa, the following are required:

• their valid passports;
• details of the contract that will lead to future sales or bank statements of at least BGN 100,000 (about EUR 51,129) over the previous 2 years;
• copy of a letter of intent or investment contract;
• valid patent or evidence of intellectual property registered at the national or international level;
• a business strategy that includes financial projections.

The Bulgarian startup visa enables applicants to obtain long temporary residency and not permanent residence as the golden visa, however, it is a much cheaper alternative to the second program.

Project evaluation when filing for a Bulgarian startup visa

One of the essential criteria to obtain a startup visa in Bulgaria is to pass the project evaluation procedure. All projects are assessed by the Council of Experts at the Ministry of Innovation.

The evaluation relies on a point-based system as follows:

• you can get 5 points for a feasible business plan and presentation;
• you can obtain another 3 points for the worthiness of your financial means of support;
• if you include financial projections and information on the available capital for the project, you can get another 3 points.

You can also obtain 1 point for each of the following:

• you have a client network;
• the investments you will make;
• you have a valid registration certificate for a utility model or patent.

You must total 8 points for your project to be eligible and your Bulgarian startup visa to be obtained. The review takes about 30 days to be completed.

Tax residency in Bulgaria

If you are looking for a destination to move to with or without investments, our immigration lawyers in Bulgaria are at your disposal with customized services.

The idea of tax residency establishes a person’s or business’s place of tax liability. The following criteria are used to determine tax residency in Bulgaria:

• physical presence: if a person stays in Bulgaria for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, he/she is considered a tax resident;
• economic ties: if a person has a permanent address in Bulgaria, he/she is regarded, unless his/her centre of vital interests is abroad (owning or renting property alone is not enough), as a tax resident;
• center of vital interests: if a person’s center of vital interests is in Bulgaria, he or she is regarded as a tax resident (this may involve elements like the location of a person’s bank account and place of business).

Why choose Bulgaria as an immigration destination in 2026

Compared to other European countries, Bulgaria has one of the lowest taxation systems in Europe. Apart from this, one can choose Bulgaria for the following reasons:

• it has one of the cheapest workforces in Europe which is very suitable for entrepreneurs;
• some applicants (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, spouses of Bulgarians, persons of Bulgarian origin) can obtain a Bulgarian passport while retaining the original citizenship;

Bulgaria terminated the golden passport (Citizenship by Investment) scheme in the spring of 2022. This means that foreign citizens who want to move to Bulgaria must now apply for regular residence permits that enable them to obtain citizenship the usual way. While the former scheme has its advantages, immigration to Bulgaria through temporary followed by permanent residence still comes with certain benefits, among which no more financial pressure.

On the other hand, the spouse of the main applicant could apply for Bulgarian nationality 3 years after the investor is awarded citizenship under the old program, which is a quicker route for spouses to obtain citizenship. When compared to the earlier Citizenship Act, this meant a 2-year reduction. If you are interested in immigration to Bulgaria in 2026, our local specialists are at your disposal.

Immigration data for Bulgaria

Over the last five years, Bulgaria has seen a steady increase in immigration. The greatest migrant groups came from:

• Ukraine (61,074);
• Russia (45,089);
• Germany (17,311);
• the UK (16,476);
• Greece (11,085);
• Spain (10,245);
• North Macedonia (6,345);
• Syria (24,543);
• Turkey (19,877).

The United Nations reports that the immigrant stock reached 299,100 in 2024. From 107,275 in 2014 to 211,839 in 2024, the number of foreign-born people doubled, making up 3.3% of the entire population.

Despite the small decreases over time, the number of initial residence permits granted to non-EU citizens in Bulgaria roughly doubled between 2015 and 2024, going from 9,595 in 2015 to 19,662 in 2024. Of them, 27% were given to family members and 44% were given for employment purposes.

You can rely on our law firm for support in obtaining various types of residence permits. We are also at your service if you meet the criteria and want to file for citizenship in Bulgaria.

Do not hesitate to contact us for guidance in moving to Bulgaria.