Bulgaria is becoming the next major place for residency and citizenship by investment.
Poised to accede to Schengen agreement of free movement inside the EU, A Bulgarian residency gives freedom of movement to the whole of the EU.
Bulgaria offers a two-step process to obtain citizenship and a Bulgarian passport. Investors must first apply for the Permanent Residency Programme by investing €512,000 into a choice of investment fund vehicles. The process for PR takes approximately six months to complete. Shortly after residency has been approved, applicants can then fast-track to the citizenship stage by investing a further €512,000. The total timeframe is around 18 months, making it one of the fastest methods of obtaining citizenship in an EU country
All foreign nationals who would like to obtain Bulgarian residence must first apply for a long-term D visa in the nearest Bulgarian embassy or general consulate. There are 5 primary instances for which a D visa is granted:
- Registration of a Trade Representative Office of a foreign company in Bulgaria;
- Register a company employing at least 10 local citizens for no fewer than 6 months;
- Investment in real-estate property – 312,000 €;
- Non EU pensioners who have sufficient funds & accommodation to support their stay in Bulgaria;
- Passport by Investment.
Our experience shows that the most convenient and affordable way for a foreign national to obtain a Bulgarian D visa and Bulgarian residence permit is by way of registering a foreign company’s trade representative office in Bulgaria. Registering a trade representative office with our law firm, we will not charge you maintenance or annual fees for the registered office address of your trade representative office.
Bulgarian Permanent Residency Investment
Bulgaria offers permanent residency through an investment of €512,000 (BGN 1 million) into a choice of investment funds which must be held for a period of five years. At the end of the five-year period, the funds can be withdrawn and returned to the investor. Bulgarian stocks, exchange-traded funds, private equity, venture capital or hedge funds, and/or REITs are all eligible investments for the programme.
Bulgaria Citizenship By Investment
Bulgarian residency investors can apply for Bulgarian citizenship after 5 years. It is also possible to fast-track the citizenship option within 18 months by increasing the investment amount by a further €512,000.
Key Facts:
- Investment of €512,000 for permanent residency. Real estate investment of 312,000 Euros for temporary residency leading to permanent.
- Fast-track to citizenship in 18 months with a total investment of €1,024,000
- Choice of investment types
- Full family residency
- Flexible. No requirement to reside
- No language requirement
- Investment can be liquidated after 5 years
- Visa-free access to 188 countries and territories