Golden VisaActive

Bulgaria Golden Visa

Bulgaria · Europe

2.7
Editorial Score

Min Monthly Income

—

Application Fee

—

Processing Time

2–4 wks

Difficulty

—

Duration

—

Path to Citizenship

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Overview

Bulgaria Golden Visa grants permanent EU residency to non-EU investors through a €512,000 investment in a regulated fund. No physical residency required, with Schengen access and family inclusion.

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
NationalityNon-EU nationals only

The Bulgaria Golden Visa is available exclusively to non-EU citizens. EU, EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals are not eligible for this program. There are no country-specific restrictions or exclusions; eligibility is determined solely by whether your country of citizenship is part of the EU/EEA/Switzerland. This makes the program accessible to citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and most other non-EU countries worldwide.

Minimum Age18 years
Minimum IncomeNot specified
Minimum Investment$512,000 USD
DependentsAllowed
Local Work PermittedNo
Health InsuranceNot required
Physical PresenceNot specified
Max Consecutive AbsenceNot specified
RenewableNo
DurationNot specified
Leads to PRYes

Requirements Checklist

IDENTITY & BACKGROUND

- Valid passport (original or certified copy)

- Birth certificate (certified copy, may require apostille)

- Marriage certificate or divorce decree if applicable (certified copy, may require apostille)

- Police clearance certificate or background check from your home country (may require apostille)

- Proof that you are not a politically exposed person (PEP)

FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT

- Bank statements showing €512,000 available funds (typically last 3-6 months)

- Proof of fund origin (employment contracts, business ownership documents, inheritance documents, investment statements)

- Tax returns for the past 2-3 years

- Investment agreement with the selected Bulgarian Investment Fund

- Proof of investment transfer to the fund

VISA & RESIDENCY

- Completed D visa application form

- Passport-sized photographs (typically 4x6 cm)

- Travel health insurance (if required by embassy)

- Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (hotel booking or rental agreement)

FAMILY MEMBERS (if applicable)

- Each family member's passport and birth certificate

- Marriage certificate (for spouse)

- Birth certificates of children (certified copies)

- Proof of family relationship

- Each family member's police clearance certificate

NOTE: Specific apostille and translation requirements depend on your home country and the Bulgarian Embassy's requirements. Consult with your chosen immigration specialist or the Bulgarian Embassy in your country for the exact document list and any additional requirements.

📍 Application location: You apply for the D visa at the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Submit your application package in person or by mail according to your embassy's procedures. After receiving your D visa, you must travel to Bulgaria in person to complete the permanent residency application at the Bulgarian immigration office, where you will provide biometrics and finalize your residency status. No part of the application can be completed entirely online; both embassy and in-country visits are required.

Tax Information

Flat 10% tax rate (one of the lowest in the EU)

Work Permissions

What's typically permitted:

·Remote work for foreign employers: Typically allowed on most digital nomad visas
·Local employment: May be restricted or require additional permits
·Freelancing: Often permitted but may have income limits
·Starting a business: May require a separate entrepreneur visa

Application Steps

  1. 1

    📋 Research and select a qualified Bulgarian Investment Fund

    2-4 weeks

  2. 2

    📄 Gather financial and background documentation

    1-2 weeks

  3. 3

    📬 Submit pre-approval application to Bulgarian Investment Agency

    2-4 weeks

  4. 4

    📬 Receive pre-approval and transfer investment funds

    1-2 weeks

  5. 5

    📬 Apply for D visa at Bulgarian Embassy

    Up to 2 months

  6. 6

    🏛️ Receive D visa and travel to Bulgaria

    Same day to 1 week

  7. 7

    🏛️ Apply for permanent residency and provide biometrics

    2-4 weeks

  8. 8

    🏛️ Receive permanent residency card

    1-2 weeks after approval

  9. 9

    📬 Initiate family reunification process (if applicable)

    Varies by family member

  10. 10

    📬 Apply for Bulgarian citizenship after five years

    Varies; typically 2-6 months

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Click any question to expand the answer.

The minimum investment required is €512,000 ($512,000 USD equivalent) in a government-regulated Bulgarian Investment Fund. This investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years. This is a significantly lower threshold than many other EU golden visa programs, making Bulgaria an attractive option for investors seeking EU residency.
The Bulgaria Golden Visa accepts investment in government-regulated Bulgarian Investment Funds only. The fund must invest exclusively in assets based in Bulgaria, with private equity funds being a common low-risk option. Real estate investment is not eligible for the golden visa program, though a separate residency program exists for €312,000 real estate investments.
No. There is zero physical residency requirement—you do not need to spend any days per year in Bulgaria to maintain your permanent residency status. This makes the Bulgaria Golden Visa ideal for digital nomads, remote workers, and investors who wish to retain EU residency without relocating.
Yes. The program allows family reunification for your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law. Specific costs and percentage add-ons for dependent family members are not specified in the program details, so you should consult with an immigration specialist for exact family inclusion costs.
Yes. The visa leads to permanent residency immediately upon approval, and you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship after five years of holding the residency. Bulgarian citizenship grants access to 177 visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries worldwide and full EU rights.
The entire process from pre-approval to permanent residency typically takes no longer than 8 months. The D visa application at your Bulgarian Embassy takes up to 2 months, and processing time for the residency application is 2-4 weeks. Once approved, you must visit Bulgaria to provide biometrics.
The pre-approval stage involves submitting documents to the Bulgarian Investment Agency and National Security authorities for initial review. Passing is straightforward if you are not on any prohibition lists, are not a politically exposed person (PEP), and can clearly justify the origin of your funds. Most applicants with legitimate financial backgrounds pass this stage without difficulty.
Bulgaria offers one of the lowest tax rates in the EU at a flat 10% income tax rate. However, whether you become a tax resident and the specific tax implications for your situation depend on your individual circumstances and should be discussed with a tax professional familiar with Bulgarian tax law.
The Bulgaria Golden Visa is available to non-EU citizens only. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are not eligible for this program. There are no specific country-by-country restrictions; eligibility is based on EU citizenship status rather than individual nationality.
No language requirement is specified for the Bulgaria Golden Visa application or residency maintenance. However, you may need Bulgarian language skills for practical matters such as interacting with local authorities, banking, or eventually applying for citizenship, though specific language test requirements are not detailed in the program guidelines.
The investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years. The structured data does not specify what happens if the fund value declines or if early withdrawal is permitted. You should clarify these terms with the specific Bulgarian Investment Fund manager and your legal advisor before committing funds.
You must provide documentation proving the legitimate origin of your funds and a clear justification for your investment. You will also undergo background checks by the Bulgarian Investment Agency and National Security authorities. Specific document checklists vary by fund manager, so consult with your chosen fund or an immigration specialist for the exact list.

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At a Glance

Renewable✗ No
Dependents✓ Allowed
Leads to PR✓ Yes
Local Work✗ Not permitted
Health InsuranceNot required
NationalityNon-EU nationals only
Admin Ease2.0/5

Last verified: May 13, 2026

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