Residence in Bulgaria

Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by Immigration Team

Non-EU nationals who want to live in Bulgaria need a residence permit. In most cases the route starts with a long-stay visa, known as Visa D, issued by a Bulgarian embassy or general consulate. The residence permit is then issued in Bulgaria by the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, through its offices across the country.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa or a residence permit. They register their residence instead. Read: EU citizens

How residence usually works

• Visa DRequired · Bulgarian embassy or general consulate · category depends on your reason for moving
• Residence permitRequired · Migration Directorate, in person
• RenewalsRequired · while the basis of your residence continues
• Permanent residenceEligibility threshold · after a qualifying period, or directly for some routes such as investment
• CitizenshipOptional · by naturalisation, with its own conditions

Required stageEligibility thresholdOptional stage

Grounds for residence

Bulgarian law provides more than twenty grounds for residence. The most common are:

• InvestmentPermanent residence through a qualifying investment
• Trade representative officeRepresentatives of foreign companies
• EmploymentSingle Permit and EU Blue Card
• Independent means and retirementLiving on income or savings
• FamilyJoining a family member
• StudyStudents at Bulgarian institutions

Guides in this section

• Temporary residenceTemporary residence in Bulgaria for 3 to 12 months: the real estate and trade representative office routes compared, other grounds, deadlines and renewal.
• Short stays and Schengen
• Visa D (long-stay visa)The long-stay visa non-EU nationals need before applying for residence in Bulgaria: where to apply, the €100 fee, processing times and the deadlines after arrival.
• Long-term residenceLong-term residence for non-EU nationals after 50 months in Bulgaria: how it differs from permanent residence, the requirements, the deadline and bringing your family.
• Extended residence
• Permanent residenceWho can obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria, the 30-month residence rule, how to keep the status, and the deadline and timeline.
• EU long-term resident status
• Financially independent persons
• Residence for students
• After your studies
• Renewing your permit