Residence Permit in Bulgaria - Temporary and Permanent

Our team of immigration lawyers in Bulgaria can help foreign nationals apply for a residence permit in Bulgaria for non-EU and EU citizensand handle all of the procedures associated with this application.

Quick Facts
Temporary residence permit types	– extended residence permit, – long-term (EU) residence permit
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)	Approx. 3 months
Temporary residence permit validity	Validity varies from a few months to 5 years, depending on the reason of stay
Documents for obtaining temporary residence	– valid passport, – proof of local address, – evidence of reason of relocation, – proof of financial means of self-support
Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register)	YES, with local municipality
Dependents can join the temporary permit holder	Yes
Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes	Yes
Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence	5 years
Documents for obtaining permanent residence	– application form, – valid ID and passport, – valid residence permit
Naturalization requirements	Living in the country for 5 years based on a permanent residence permit
Citizenship after permanent residence	5 years of permanent residency or at least 3 years by marriage

What are the main types of residence permits in Bulgaria?

The legislation establishes that foreigners may apply for one of the four available types of Bulgarian residency permits:

extended residence permits that have a maximum validity period of one year and may be used by investors and other interested parties;
long-term EU residence permits that are issued for an initial period of five years and can then be renewed;
permanent residence permits that are granted after a certain time spent lawfully in the country with a valid permit;
residence certificates are available for European citizens who stay for more than three months, on a long-term basis for a maximum of five years, leading to permanent residency in Bulgaria.

What are the documents required for obtaining a Bulgarian residence permit in 2026?

The National Migration Directorate will require the following documents of applicants for Bulgarian residence cards:

a valid passport,
proof of accommodation in Bulgaria,
proof of self-sufficiency,
an insurance policy,
details about the applicant’s marital status and members of the family.

The application must be submitted in Bulgarian.

Do I need to apply for a residence permit if I am an EU citizen?

Yes, if your stay exceeds 3 months. Once you become eligible for permanent residence, you must apply for the card attesting to your new status.

What are the requirements for EU/ EEA citizens who move to Bulgaria?

Citizens of EU/ EEA states can obtain a residence certificate in the following cases:

they are self-employed in Bulgaria or employed with a locally registered company;
they have sufficient financial means to cover medical insurance and other expenses for themselves and their family members, as applicable, without being a burden to the Bulgarian state;
they are admitted to a college or university in Bulgaria or follow professional training and have medical insurance and sufficient financial means so that they are not a burden to the social security system.

We have also created an infographic for more information, as you can read below:

What is the status of British citizens in Bulgaria after Brexit?

A former member of the European Union, after completing the exit procedure, the UK had to enter specific agreements with the EU when it comes to immigration matters. These also apply in Bulgaria; however, the good news is that Brexit does not affect those who already have residence permits for Bulgaria.

Those who plan on moving to Bulgaria after Brexit, however, are required to comply with the same immigration rules available to all other non-EU applicants. This means that they can apply for any of the type of residence permits enabling them to legally live here.

Do I still need a visa if I am a non-EU citizen and I already submitted a residency application?

Yes, you do. The procedures are different, and the fact that you applied for a residence permit does not automatically grant the right to enter the country. Also, the visa is the proof you will use to demonstrate your right to stay in the country until the residence card is issued.

Are there any benefits linked to a Bulgarian temporary residence permit? If yes, what are they?

Yes, even if you move to Bulgaria based on a temporary residence visa, you will still get certain benefits, among which:

you will be issued an ID for foreigners, which exempts you from applying for visas when traveling to other Schengen countries;
you can also stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025) without applying for a visa;
you can apply for family reunification and have your close relatives move with you here;
you can renew the document until you become eligible for permanent residence.

Are there specific visas that lead to permanent residence in Bulgaria?

No, you must first apply for a temporary residence permit if you are a non-EU citizen. If you are an EU national, you need to meet the living requirements.

What are the conditions to obtain residency in Bulgaria?

Apart from the 5-year residency requirement, you must also not have committed any crime during this period.

Can I leave the country while I wait for my permanent residence card to be issued?

Yes, you are allowed to leave and enter the country during the 5-year period; however, it is important to know that you can not stay out of the country for more than 30 months in that time frame.

Is there a way to obtain a permanent residence faster?

Yes, foreign citizens who are married to Bulgarian nationals can apply for Bulgarian citizenship after 3 years of marriage (with at least 3 years of permanent or long-term residence), and investors meeting the statutory thresholds can obtain permanent residence without the 5-year wait.

Are there any errors that I should be aware of when applying for permanent residency in Bulgaria?

Yes, an important error to avoid is not renewing your temporary residence card on time. You may be subject to fines or other penalties, and even losing residency. The latest date to renew is 14 days before expiry. However, we recommend doing that sooner to avoid delays.

You can contact our law firm in Bulgaria if you need help in obtaining a residency in Bulgaria.