Permanent residence

The obtaining of a residence permit by foreign nationals in Bulgaria is regulated by the Foreign Nationals Act (latest amendment 28.01.2011). According to Article 23 of the FNA foreigners shall stay in the Republic of Bulgaria on a short term (up to 90 days) and on a long-term basis. A long-term residence permit may be granted on the grounds listed in Article 24 of the Act. In order to be granted a long-term residence permit a person must have accommodation – of their own, leased or provided by a third person, mandatory health insurance, subsistence means to the amount not less than the
minimal monthly salary or

pension under the Bulgarian legislation, for the term of stay. The grounds for obtaining a permanent residence permit are listed under art. 25 of the Foreign Nationals Act. In Bulgaria this statute can be obtained by every foreign citizen who has resided legally in the country for a period of 5 years with a long-term residence permit.

The Act provides for a number of further instances, however, the cases that frequently occur in practice can be reduced to the following:

1. Bulgarian descent.

2. Five years after contracting a

marriage with a Bulgarian citizen or with a foreigner permanent resident in Bulgaria.

3. Continuous residence on the territory of the Bulgaria on legal grounds for a period of five years.
4. A person who has invested more than 1,000,000 Levs (~500,000 €) in the Bulgarian economy or increased their investment with this size in various ways provided by law.

The competent authority with the Ministry of Interior decides on the grant of residence status within three months after submission of application.

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