Bulgaria's Investor Residence Permit allows non-EU nationals to obtain temporary or permanent residence through qualifying capital investments. The program offers multiple investment routes ranging from EUR 127,822.97 for regional development projects to EUR 3,067,751.29 for non-traded company shares. The most popular pathway, commonly known as the "Bulgaria Golden Visa," requires an investment of EUR 511,291.88 (BGN 1,000,000) in a qualifying Bulgarian alternative investment fund and grants direct permanent residence. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, and on 1 January 2026 it adopted the euro as its official currency at the irrevocably fixed rate EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583. By operation of Bulgaria's euro-introduction law, all leva-denominated investment thresholds and statutory fees in the Foreigners Act are now read directly in euro at that rate — a re-denomination that did not change the substantive investment requirements.
Amounts are shown as the euro equivalents of the original leva thresholds at the fixed rate EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583 in force since 1 January 2026.
| Route | Investment Required | Residence Type | |---|---|---| | Real estate | EUR 306,775.13 (BGN 600,000) | Temporary (1 year, renewable) | | Regional development | EUR 127,822.97 (BGN 250,000) + 50%+ company ownership + 5 jobs | Temporary, leading to permanent | | Alternative investment fund ("Golden Visa") | EUR 511,291.88 (BGN 1,000,000) | Permanent | | Collective investment scheme | EUR 511,291.88 (BGN 1,000,000), fund assets >= EUR 2,556,459.41 | Permanent | | Priority investment project | EUR 1,022,583.76 (BGN 2,000,000) | Permanent | | Regulated market securities | EUR 1,022,583.76 (BGN 2,000,000) in listed shares/bonds | Permanent | | Concession rights | EUR 511,291.88 (BGN 1,000,000) | Permanent | | Non-traded company shares | EUR 3,067,751.29 (BGN 6,000,000) | Permanent | | Company capital + jobs | EUR 255,645.94 (BGN 500,000) + 50%+ ownership + EUR 255,645.94 in assets + 10 jobs | Permanent |
The application follows a multi-stage procedure:
Investment and certification — Make the qualifying investment, obtain preliminary approval from the Bulgarian Investment Agency, and receive an investment certificate from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth (processing time up to 30 days, no fee).
Type D Long-Stay Visa — Apply at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate (approximately 30 working days). The visa fee is EUR 100 (or EUR 200 for a 360-day visa).
Residence Permit — Upon entry to Bulgaria, apply in person at the Migration Directorate or a regional office. For permanent residence, the decision takes up to 2 months (extendable to 4 months). For temporary residence, processing takes up to 14 days. Biometric data is collected and a residence card is issued within 3 working days of approval.
Fees: Since euro adoption, the former leva fees are read in euro at the fixed rate. Permanent residence permit: approximately EUR 511.29 (formerly BGN 1,000). Temporary residence permit: approximately EUR 255.65 (formerly BGN 500).
Temporary residence permits (real estate route) are issued for 1 year and renewed annually upon verification that investment conditions continue to be met. Permanent residence is unlimited, with the residence card valid for 5 years and renewable. Investments cannot be used to secure loans during the mandatory 5-year holding period.
Spouses and minor children may obtain residence permits through family reunification within approximately 3 months of the primary applicant's approval. Family members of permanent residence holders receive permanent residence status. Required documents for dependants include marriage or birth certificates, proof of financial dependency, and proof of accommodation. Each family member is subject to their own health insurance and background check requirements.
Holding a residence permit does not automatically confer tax residency. An individual becomes a Bulgarian tax resident if they spend 183 or more days per year in Bulgaria, have a permanent address in Bulgaria, or have their centre of vital interests in the country. Bulgarian tax residents are taxed on worldwide income at a flat rate of 10%.
Permanent residence holders may apply for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of maintaining the investment and holding permanent residence, subject to passing a Bulgarian language exam. The former citizenship-by-investment fast-track programme was abolished in 2022.
The investor residence permit does not grant the right to work as an employee in Bulgaria. Investors may manage their own companies and investments, but separate work authorization is needed for employment.
Permanent residence holders have no minimum physical presence requirement in Bulgaria and may live elsewhere while maintaining their residence status. However, tax residency requires spending 183 or more days per year in the country. For temporary residence holders, extended absences may affect renewal eligibility.