Sofia, Bulgaria
London, United Kingdom
A clear, structured route to Bulgarian residence for non-EU nationals who want a practical EU base for business, family life and mobility.
Legal basis
Residence by investment is grounded in the Aliens in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and related regulations. The framework is periodically updated to refine eligibility and align with EU standards.
What you invest
Minimum amount: Buy Bulgarian real estate worth BGN 600,000 (approx. €310,000). Residential, commercial or mixed-use properties can qualify.
Ownership: Direct ownership is standard. Company holding structures can be used where needed to comply with land-ownership rules for foreigners.
Via company: You may invest through a Bulgarian-registered company in which you hold 50%+ of the share capital, provided the company acquires qualifying real estate.
How the process works
Type D visa: Apply at a Bulgarian consulate in your country of residence. Typical processing time is ~2 months.
Apply in Bulgaria: After your Type D visa is issued, travel to Bulgaria and submit your temporary residence application. Decisions usually take up to 14 days.
Fees: Modest administrative fees apply for the visa, permit and ID card.
Your status & family
Temporary residence: Granted for 1 year, renewable while you continue to meet the investment conditions.
Long-term/permanent options: After 5 years of lawful residence on this basis, you can apply for long-term or permanent residence.
Family members: Spouses and dependent children under 18 can obtain residence as your dependants.
Why Bulgaria
EU foothold: Secure lawful residence in an EU member state with access to EU-level protections. (Short-stay travel within the Schengen Area depends on current Schengen rules.)
Predictable pathway: Clear criteria, straightforward steps and a comparatively lower investment threshold than many EU alternatives.
Path to permanency: A realistic route to long-term settlement and, for eligible applicants, a potential path toward citizenship in the future.
How Citizenship Insight helps
Our team works end-to-end: structuring the property purchase, coordinating the immigration steps, preparing filings, and keeping you compliant at every stage—so you avoid common pitfalls and stay aligned with Bulgarian law.
For further details or personalised guidance, contact us at or via our contact form.