Bulgaria's Investor Programme for Permanent Residence is the ideal gateway into the European economy and way of life. An investment of EUR 512,000 in a licensed Bulgarian investment fund leads directly to permanent residency in about 6 to 9 months, with free movement within the Schengen Area and no requirement to live in the country.
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, NATO, the Schengen Area and the euro area. It offers a rich and diverse culture, a temperate climate and an ideal location in Southeast Europe for living, working and travelling across the continent.
Bulgaria lies in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey. It covers a total area of about 110,997 square kilometres.
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia.
Bulgarian is the official language. Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic.
Bulgaria joined the euro area on 1 January 2026, and the euro replaced the Bulgarian lev at a fixed rate of 1.95583 lev to the euro. The country offers some of the lowest tax rates in the EU and full access to the EU single market.
Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007. It became a full member of the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025, when checks at its internal land borders were lifted, and it adopted the euro on 1 January 2026.
Investing in a second citizenship provides greater global mobility, financial freedom, tax advantages and access to a secure, high-quality lifestyle, while ensuring long-term security for you and your family.
Travel freely within the Schengen countries as a permanent resident of Bulgaria.
Some of the lowest tax rates in the EU, within a free-trade environment across the European Union.
Access to high-quality healthcare in Bulgaria and the EU, and to high-quality education in the country.
Permanent residence status can be passed on to an unlimited number of generations, and financially dependent parents can obtain temporary residence.
You receive permanent residence directly, with no temporary residence stage first, and it is granted for life.
A special exemption in the law means you don't have to live in Bulgaria. Only two statutory trips are needed during the process.
The programme is offered under the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. As well as making the investment, every applicant must meet the conditions below.
A minimum investment in units of an investment fund licensed by the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission. The investment must be kept for at least five years from the date permanent residence is approved, with no further payment required. The fund must:
These include government application fees, legal and translation fees, and fees for background checks and verifying the source of funds. They depend on the number of applicants and the complexity of the case, so your advisor will give you the full cost during your consultation.
The process to permanent residency typically takes 6 to 9 months, and each stage depends on the last being complete.
The Investor Programme for Permanent Residence is set out in Bulgaria's written law, and each investment is pre-approved by the InvestBulgaria Agency.
The minimum investment is EUR 512,000 in units of an investment fund licensed by Bulgaria's Financial Supervision Commission, held for at least five years from the date permanent residence is approved. On top of this, there are government application fees, legal and translation fees, and fees for background checks and verifying the source of funds. Your advisor will give you the full cost for your family during your consultation.
The process to permanent residency typically takes about 6 to 9 months.
There are two statutory trips for each applicant, at different stages of the process.
No. A special exemption in the law means you don't have to live in Bulgaria to keep your permanent residence. You only need to make the two statutory trips during the process.
Yes. Permanent residence status can be passed on to an unlimited number of generations, and financially dependent parents can obtain temporary residence. Your advisor will confirm which family members can be included in your application.
Under the express procedure, the card is ready on the third business day after you apply.
No. There is no language requirement for permanent residence.
Yes, but you will be classed as a foreign student and will need to pay additional student fees. However, the European Commission has launched many exchange programmes between EU universities to make it easier for students to study abroad.
A thirty-minute consultation with our advisory team will tell you whether Bulgaria is the right programme for you, and if it is not, which of our other programmes is.