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 1 June 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 1 June 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 1 June 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 1 June 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 1 June 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 1 June 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 1 June 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Bulgaria have?+
We cover 7 Republic of Bulgaria visa routes across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. 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.
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