Residency · Europe
Residency · EuropeBulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment
Permanent residence in Bulgaria, an EU member state, for investors who make a qualifying investment of about EUR 511,000.
Decision summary
- What do you obtain?
- Bulgaria Permanent Residence by InvestmentRoute to citizenshipCitizenship by investment ended in 2022;
- What does your family invest?
- About EUR 511,292 (BGN 1 million) in fund units or concession rights; about EUR 1,022,584 (BGN 2 million) for shares or bonds traded on a regulated market.
- What is additional?
- Information pending verification
- How long does it take?
- About 6 to 8 months to the permanent residence card.
- Must you travel or live there?
- Current rules remove status after 12 consecutive months outside the EU; a pending bill would require more than six months a year in Bulgaria.
- What is the main drawback?
- A bill to add a minimum-stay requirement was before Parliament in mid-2026.
- Family inclusion
- Spouse, Children, Parents · conditions apply
- Program status
- Operational
Overview
Bulgaria grants permanent residence to foreign investors under Article 25 of the Foreigners Act. The best-known route is BGN 1 million, about EUR 511,292 at the fixed rate of BGN 1.95583 since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, invested in units of Bulgarian collective investment schemes or alternative investment funds, or in concession rights. Shares or bonds of Bulgarian companies traded on a regulated market need BGN 2 million, about EUR 1,022,584.
Bulgaria ended citizenship by investment in 2022; this route grants residence only.
In July 2026 the government sent Parliament a bill that would require permanent residents to spend more than six months a year in Bulgaria. It had not become law when this page was reviewed.
Path to citizenship
Ordinary naturalisation rules only
Citizenship by investment ended in 2022; naturalisation follows the ordinary rules.
See every residency route to citizenship →Who this program may not suit
Taken from the facts recorded on this page. It may not suit you if:
- Your budget is below EUR 511,292, the minimum recorded investment, before fees and costs.
- You cannot meet the stay rule: Current rules remove status after 12 consecutive months outside the EU; a pending bill would require more than six months a year in Bulgaria.
- You want a second passport: this residence does not lead to citizenship by itself.
Investment pathways
- Investment pathway
- Qualifying investment under Article 25 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, such as units in Bulgarian collective investment schemes or alternative investment funds, concession rights, or listed shares or bonds.
- Minimum investment
- About EUR 511,292 (BGN 1 million) in fund units or concession rights; about EUR 1,022,584 (BGN 2 million) for shares or bonds traded on a regulated market.
Checked against official programme sources
Family inclusion
Spouse
Named in the rule
Children
Named in the rule
Parents
Named in the rule
Siblings
Not named in the rule
Ages, dependency and other conditions are in the rule below; confirm them for each family member.
- Eligible dependents
- Spouse, unmarried children under 18 (or older if unable to support themselves) and parents of the applicant or spouse.
Checked against official programme sources
Application process
- 1For investments in funds and similar instruments, Bulgaria's Investment Agency vets the investor and source of funds before the investment is made; the investor then makes and documents the qualifying investment.
- 2The investor applies in person, with an interview, at the Bulgarian consulate for a long-stay type D visa; a law firm reports a decision within 35 working days.
- 3After entering Bulgaria, the investor applies in person to the Migration Directorate, or a regional migration unit, with investment documents, proof of accommodation, means and a criminal record extract.
- 4The Migration Directorate examines the application within up to two months, which can be extended by two more months for complex cases or missing documents.
- 5If granted, the permanent residence permit is collected in person and the issue fee is paid; refusals can be appealed within 14 days of delivery.
- 6The qualifying investment must be kept for five years, according to a law-firm reading of Article 25 of the Foreigners Act.
Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.
Indicative timelines
- Indicative processing timeframe
- About 6 to 8 months to the permanent residence card.
Checked against official programme sources
Investment and fees
Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.
Estimate for your family
- Investment for your family
- EUR 511,292
- Fund units or concession rights (about)
- Known total so far
- EUR 511,292
- 5 cost items not yet included
Children are counted as 10 and parents as 60 unless you enter ages in the calculator. Full breakdown and ages
Qualifying investment
- Fund units or concession rights (about)
- EUR 511,292
- Listed shares or bonds (about)
- EUR 1,022,584
- To be confirmed
- Government fees · Due diligence fees · Estimated additional costs · Investment holding period
Checked against official programme sources
Residence requirements
- Residence requirements
- Current rules remove status after 12 consecutive months outside the EU; a pending bill would require more than six months a year in Bulgaria.
- Renewal requirements
- The five-year residence card can be renewed when it expires.
- Potential route to citizenship
- Citizenship by investment ended in 2022; naturalisation follows the ordinary rules.
Checked against official programme sources
Due diligence and documentation
Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.
Considerations, limitations and risks
Important restrictions
A bill to add a minimum-stay requirement was before Parliament in mid-2026.
- Published entry thresholds are not comprehensive costs; taxes, professional fees and dependent charges may apply.
- Immigration law, visa access and naturalisation rules can change without notice.
- Individual eligibility depends on nationality, financial background, due diligence and program-specific criteria.
Status and authority
- Operational status
- Operational
- Official government authority
- Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior, Bulgaria
- Legal basis
- Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, Article 25.
- To be confirmed
- Nationality restrictions
Programme rules change; your advisor confirms every figure before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Bulgaria still offer citizenship by investment?
No. Bulgaria ended citizenship by investment in 2022. Investors can obtain permanent residence instead.
What is the minimum investment for Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment?
About EUR 511,292 (BGN 1 million) in fund units or concession rights; about EUR 1,022,584 (BGN 2 million) for shares or bonds traded on a regulated market.
Can my family be included?
Spouse, unmarried children under 18 (or older if unable to support themselves) and parents of the applicant or spouse.
Is there a minimum stay requirement for Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment?
Current rules remove status after 12 consecutive months outside the EU; a pending bill would require more than six months a year in Bulgaria.
How long does the process take?
About 6 to 8 months to the permanent residence card.
Does the Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment lead to citizenship?
Citizenship by investment ended in 2022; naturalisation follows the ordinary rules.
Is approval guaranteed?
No. Every application is decided by the government concerned after due diligence, and requirements can change.
Discuss Bulgaria with an advisor.
Share your objectives in confidence. An advisor will outline the options that may be relevant to your family and circumstances.