Background
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.
- 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.
The Process:
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.
Bulgaria 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 At the end of the five-year period, the funds can be withdrawn and returned to the investor.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
