Republic of Bulgaria · investor · Leads to settlement
Residence by Investment
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If you can make a qualifying investment in Bulgaria, this route grants residence and, depending on the amount, a faster path to permanent residence.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - timelines depend on the investment tier and verification; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - the qualifying investment amounts are set by law, indexed, and expressed in euro from 2026; confirm current figures on the official page.
- Typical duration
- A continuous residence card is generally issued first and can convert to permanent residence at higher tiers; confirm current rules on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 10 July 2026, the Residence by Investment for Republic of Bulgaria is an unsponsored Bulgaria immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Bulgaria government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/bulgaria/investor-residence#answer
What is the Residence by Investment in Republic of Bulgaria?
Residence by Investment is an unsponsored Bulgaria route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - the qualifying investment amounts are set by law, indexed, and expressed in euro from 2026; confirm current figures on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - timelines depend on the investment tier and verification; confirm current processing on the official page; typical duration is A continuous residence card is generally issued first and can convert to permanent residence at higher tiers; confirm current rules on the official page. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Bulgaria offers residence to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment, for example in licensed funds, company capital or government securities. Higher investment tiers can lead directly to permanent residence and, after the required period of residence, a separate citizenship application. Good to know: Bulgaria discontinued its old citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2022, so this is a residence route, not a shortcut to a passport - we do not present any citizenship-by-investment programme as live. All thresholds are set by law, indexed, and now expressed in euro since Bulgaria joined the eurozone on 1 January 2026, so confirm the current figures on the official page.
Recent changes to this route
- Bulgaria adopts the euro and completes Schengen accession1 January 2026
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, having already joined the Schengen area in 2025, changing the travel and currency context for residents.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You make a qualifying investment in Bulgaria at or above the official threshold for your chosen tier.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓The investment is in an eligible form, such as licensed funds, company capital or government securities.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓You can evidence the lawful source and origin of the invested funds.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and are not subject to grounds for refusal.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Common blockers
- !An investment below the official threshold or in an ineligible asset.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- !Inability to evidence the lawful source of funds.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- !Treating this as citizenship-by-investment, which Bulgaria discontinued in 2022.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and recent photographs.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Documentation of the qualifying investment and its value.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Proof of the lawful source and origin of the invested funds.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
- ·Proof of payment of the applicable state fees.Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your planned investment meets an official threshold and is in an eligible form for the residence route.
Build the evidence pack
Document the investment, its value, and the lawful source of funds, along with your passport.
Submit through the official channel
Apply through the official channel for the relevant residence tier and pay the state fees.
After approval
Collect your residence card, maintain the qualifying investment, and track eligibility for permanent residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Residence by Investment route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence by Investment.
Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria) · verified
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare Republic of Bulgaria with
Related routes
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Does investing get me a Bulgarian passport directly?+
No - Bulgaria discontinued its citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2022. This route grants residence, with citizenship only later through the ordinary naturalisation process. Confirm the current rules on the official page.
How much do I need to invest?+
Thresholds are set by law, indexed, and now in euro since 2026, so we do not quote a figure here. Confirm the current amounts on the official page.
Can the residence-by-investment route include my family?+
Yes - residence by investment is suitable for investors who plan to include family members, and it is a settlement-capable route where lawful time counts toward permanent residence. Confirm how family members are added on the official page.
Do I need a job offer or sponsor to qualify for residence by investment in Bulgaria?+
No - residence by investment does not require sponsorship; you qualify by making a qualifying investment at or above the official threshold in an eligible form, such as licensed funds, company capital or government securities. Confirm the current rules on the official page.
Can a higher investment take my family straight to permanent residence?+
Higher investment tiers can lead directly to permanent residence rather than starting with a yearly-renewable card. Confirm the tiers and current figures on the official page.
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 BulgariaHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior (Bulgaria)
Last checked: 1 June 2026