It is not surprising that many are interested in the possibility of getting a residence permit in Bulgaria for the purpose of subsequent emigration.
What does a residence permit in Bulgaria give?
After obtaining a permit to stay, you will be able to:
- stay in the Republic of Bulgaria for 1 year with unlimited entry-exit;
- send your child to a kindergarten or school for free;
- study at a university on a paid basis;
- open your own business;
- buy a car for a company or sales representative;
- visit Cyprus, Romania, and Croatia without opening a visa;
- receive mobile communication and Internet services at a better price;
- invite others to your place.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria
You can get a permit to stay based on:
- family reunification;
- study;
- employment under the official permission from the Employment Agency or an international agreement;
- opening a sales office;
- long-term treatment;
- marriage with a Bulgarian citizen;
- large investments;
- moving to permanent residence under the “secured pensioner” program.
Family reunification
A citizen of Bulgaria or a foreigner with a residence permit status has the right to bring close family members to the country: spouse, children, brother, sister.
The first step is to obtain permission from the Migration Agency for family reunification. To do this, you need to confirm a close relationship with the person with whom you want to reunite and issue a sponsorship letter stating that you undertake to contain it.
Having received permission, you must apply for a D visa, register at the place of residence in the country, and apply for a permit to stay in Bulgaria based on family reunification.
The following documents are required:
- reunification application;
- notarized guarantee of the availability of funds to ensure the family’s life in Bulgaria;
- passports’ photocopies of the family members with whom you want to reunite;
- documents on the availability of housing (own or rented);
- a certified and legalized certificate of the presence/absence of a criminal record;
- marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for child).
Training
The Aliens Act states that admission to a local university on a paid basis gives the right to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria.
After arriving in the country on a D visa, you need to obtain permission from the Ministry of Education of Bulgaria, where you must submit the following package of documents:
- certificate or diploma;
- notarized photocopy of your passport;
- medical book;
- academic certificate on the number of hours listened;
- consent from student’s legal representatives to pay for tuition;
- statement from an account in a Bulgarian bank about the balance of funds;
- registration documents;
- a photo.
Then, together with a permit from the Ministry of Education, it is necessary to prepare the following documents for obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria:
- international passport (including a copy);
- visa application form;
- 2 photos;
- medical insurance;
- receipt of the balance of money in the account in the Bulgarian bank;
- criminal record certificate;
- documents confirming the availability of housing.
Consider also the fact that in addition, you need to pass an online test for proficiency in English (you will have to pay 150 € for it.
Employment
To get a residence permit in Bulgaria based on employment, the employer must request permission from the National Employment Agency, providing:
- passport with a D visa;
- a photo;
- proof of accommodation;
- medical certificate;
- a document describing the type of activity you will be doing.
The following professions are in demand in Bulgaria: IT specialists, teachers for school institutions, teachers for universities, medical workers, and employees of various specializations in working with tourists. See the jobs.bg website for up-to-date information.
Moving under the program “secured pensioner”
Foreigners who have received the right to a pension (no matter on what basis) and have at least € 3,000 in an account in a Bulgarian bank, as well as provided with housing (own or rented), have the right to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria.
Here is a list of documents that a pensioner needs to submit to the Migration Service:
- application for a residence permit;
- passport valid for at least 18 months + a copy of the first page with a photo, with a “D” visa and the seal of the last entry into Bulgaria;
- notarial deed for own housing or lease agreement;
- a notarized copy of the pension certificate (with translation into Bulgarian and legalization);
- a photocopy of the certificate of the received a pension for the last three months (with translation and legalization);
- certificate of no criminal record;
- extract from a Bulgarian bank confirming the availability of funds in the amount of more than 12 minimum pensions in the Republic of Bulgaria;
- medical insurance with coverage from € 30,000;
- receipt of payment of the fee for consideration of the application at the Directorate for Migration.
Marriage
The spouse of a Bulgarian citizen has the right to get a residence permit in Bulgaria on the basis of a marriage certificate.
After obtaining a D visa at the Bulgarian embassy at the place of residence, you must arrive in the country and submit the following documents to the Migration Service:
- application for a residence permit;
- international passport (original + photocopy);
- marriage certificate;
- notarized paper confirming that the spouse has money and housing;
- compulsory health insurance policy valid for more than 1 year;
- criminal record certificate.
Investments
You can get a permit to stay in Bulgaria if you buy real estate there for an amount of € 300,000 or more under the Golden Visa program or own at least 51% of the shares of a Bulgarian company that has invested € 300,000 or more in Bulgarian real estate.
Treatment
If you have health certificates and have agreed on a treatment plan with a doctor in the Bulgarian hospital, you can expect to receive a permit to stay, provided that you:
- need long-term treatment;
- have enough money to pay for the course of treatment;
(The Bulgarian social service will not have to bear the costs of your hospital stay);
- you don’t need constant medical attention.
Expenses for obtaining a residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria
Here are some of the cost items:
- consideration of the application at the Directorate for Migration – 5 €;
- residence permit – 100 € for six months or 250 € for a year;
- getting a personal card – 22 € for 1 month, 45 € for 10 days, 110 € for 3 days;
- registration on the basis of a sales representative – from 580 €.