Republic of Bulgaria · investor · Leads to settlement

Residence by Investment

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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 sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyA continuous residence card is generally issued first and can convert to permanent residence at higher tiers; confirm current rules on the official page.In flux
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

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm your planned investment meets an official threshold and is in an eligible form for the residence route.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Document the investment, its value, and the lawful source of funds, along with your passport.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Apply through the official channel for the relevant residence tier and pay the state fees.

  4. After approval

    Collect your residence card, maintain the qualifying investment, and track eligibility for permanent residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Residence by Investment, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Bulgaria. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use 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

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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 Bulgaria

How 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

See the full evidence trail and methodology