Republic of Bulgaria visas
Bulgaria - an EU member that joined the Schengen area in 2025 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 - administers third-country residence through the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. Headline routes include the single work-and-residence permit, the EU Blue Card, income- and investment-based continuous residence, and permanent residence after five years. The former citizenship-by-investment route has been discontinued.
7 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 6 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior ↗ · Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Ministry of Justice (Bulgaria) (MoJ) — Supervises the legal profession in Bulgaria. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed attorneys.
Visa routes (7)
Single Permit for Residence and Work
If you are a non-EU national with a Bulgarian job offer, this is the main route - one document that lets you both live and work in Bulgaria.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
EU Blue Card (Bulgaria)
If you are a highly-qualified non-EU professional with a Bulgarian job offer above the salary threshold, the EU Blue Card gives you residence plus EU-wide mobility benefits.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Continuous (Long-Term) Residence Permit
If you have a long-stay (type D) visa and a qualifying ground to live in Bulgaria, this annually-renewable permit is the residence card you build your settlement on.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Residence by Investment
If you can make a qualifying investment in Bulgaria, this route grants residence and, depending on the amount, a faster path to permanent residence.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Residence Permit for Study (Bulgaria)
If you have been admitted to a Bulgarian university or college, this residence permit lets you live in Bulgaria for the length of your studies.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Family Reunification Residence (Bulgaria)
If a close family member already lives lawfully in Bulgaria, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Permanent Residence (Bulgaria)
If you have lived in Bulgaria continuously for five years, this is your settlement status - secure residence and a stepping stone toward citizenship.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 10 July 2026
Recent Republic of Bulgaria policy changes
·significant
Bulgaria adopts the euro and completes Schengen accession
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, having already joined the Schengen area in 2025, changing the travel and currency context for residents.
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Bulgaria have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Bulgaria visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, skilled migration, general residence, investor, study, and family. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Bulgaria visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 7 Republic of Bulgaria routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 3 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Bulgaria visas lead to permanent residence?+
6 of the 7 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Bulgaria