Immigrate to Bulgaria from Russia

Bulgaria attracts foreign citizens from various points of view, among which taxation, but also low living costs compared to Central European countries. Moreover, the country is also appealing for Russian citizens who prosper here.

If you want to immigrate to Bulgaria from Russia, you can do that by applying for a residence permit. The procedure is not complicated and can be handled by our lawyers in Bulgaria. Based on your interests, we can also offer other legal services, such as opening a business here.

Visas for Russian citizens entering Bulgaria

Russia is not an EU member state, nor is it part of the Schengen Area, which is why those who decide to move to Bulgaria from Russia must obtain a visa for entering the country, in the first place. However, entry visas are issued within 10 to 15 days, so there is no need to worry about this step.

Most Russian citizens who come to Bulgaria, however, usually apply for short-term or long-term residence permits because of the lack of language barriers.

If you want to relocate to Bulgaria from Russia on the long term, the permanent residence permit or the residence by investment scheme are the most advantageous options.

Our law firm in Bulgaria can guide you on how to immigrate here from Russia through an ordinary residence permit or through an investor visa.

You can also relocate to Bulgaria by making an investment. This suggests beginning a business or enrolling in a particular program designed for investors. No matter which route you take, you may get assistance in applying for the desired kind of residence visa by getting in touch with our experts in immigration to Bulgaria.

How to immigrate to Bulgaria from Russia and obtain residency

The low personal income tax of only 10% and on top of which employees pay social security and health contributions of 13.78% (up to the maximum insurable income) is an important reason to move to Bulgaria from Russia. This means that alongside the work permit, one will also be issued a residence permit.

There are two types of Bulgarian visas relevant to foreign citizens relocating here:

• the C-type (short-stay Schengen) visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days, and is not a residence permit;
• the D-type (national long-stay) visa, which is the basis for a residence permit for long stays and through which one can obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria.

No matter the option you decide on, if you want to immigrate to Bulgaria from Russia, our law firm is at your disposal for support in applying for the type of visa sought.

In order to obtain residency in Bulgaria, you must fulfill a number of requirements. These depend on the permit that was selected and the circumstances. It’s important to remember that you must meet the specific conditions of the chosen permit, and you must file various papers to be admitted for immigration.

Residency/citizenship by investment – one of the most selected options by Russian citizens

In the past few years, Bulgaria has become an important investment destination, tourism representing one of the most interesting options for Russian businesspeople. One of these reasons is the low corporate tax rate which is 10%.

If you want to relocate to Bulgaria from Russia as an investor, here are your main options:

1. business investment requires about EUR 255,646 (BGN 500,000) in a Bulgarian company that creates at least 10 jobs;
2. real estate purchase with a minimum value of 300,000 EUR is also an option for those seeking to own a property here;
3. permanent residence is available for investments of at least EUR 511,292 in approved funds or listed shares, while the former fast-track citizenship by investment option for those willing to invest 1 or 2 million EUR was abolished in 2022.

The lowest amount to be invested, however, was established at 125,000 EUR and targets green projects, with great potential in the Varna region, close to the Black Sea. No matter the option you decide on, applications for this type of residency are filed with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. One of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to citizenship in Bulgaria is that Bulgarian citizens by birth may hold dual citizenship, and many naturalized citizens may too, often known as dual nationality. Other naturalized citizens, such as Russian nationals without Bulgarian origin or a Bulgarian spouse, must in principle renounce their previous nationality. 

How long does it take to obtain residency/citizenship in Bulgaria?

People who choose to immigrate to Bulgaria from Russia and want to apply for residency or citizenship must know that:

• it takes 5 years to obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria, based on a temporary residence visa;
• a Russian citizen must live in Bulgaria for 30 months in order to qualify for permanent residency;
• citizenship by naturalization can be applied for 5 years after obtaining permanent residence through investment;
• the fast-track citizenship procedure for investors was abolished in 2022.

If you decide to immigrate to Bulgaria, feel free to address our lawyers. They will help you move here from any part of the world.