Bulgarian Permanent Residence - Typical grounds

Under the Bulgarian Foreign Nationals Act (PDF, English version), foreign nationals are eligible for two types of residence permits - for short-term and for long-term residence. The maximum duration of the short-term residence is 90 days in any 6 month period. This type of residence is either obtained on the basis of tourist visas, issued by a Bulgarian Consular representation, or in the case of nationals of countries which enjoy visa-free entry in Bulgaria, on the basis of visa concessions. UK, US, EU and certain other nationals fall in this category (an up-to-date list can be viewed here).

Continuing residence occurs on the basis of the issuance of a permit.

Long-term residence can be (i) continuing or (ii) permanent. One cannot directly apply for permanent residence, without having first received a permit for continuing residence.

To continue making use of a permit for continuing residence, one must stay in Bulgaria for 6 months and a day in a calendar
year. Otherwise, the permit for residence is invalidated.

The 3 grounds for the issuance of a permit for continuing residence which are typically applicable are as follows:

- the foreign national wishes to work under an employment contract with the prior permit of the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy
- the foreign national undertakes business in Bulgaria, e.g. has become the owner or a shareholder in a Bulgarian company;
- the foreign national has made an investment in Bulgaria, which as per the Bulgarian Foreign Investments Act [Note: Currently, this legislation is under review. The prior Act has been repealed, but a new one is yet to be adopted, which leaves this ground in abeyance for the moment] may constitute a purchase of company shares, of immoveable property (real estate), of shares in a privatisated former state or municipal companies, the acquisition of rights under concession agreements, the acquisition of intellectual property rights, the acquisition of government-issued bonds and securities with a term of payment no shorter than 6 months, loans, including lease agreements, with a term of payment no shorter than one year.

In summary, one would need to (a) be present in Bulgaria for more than half of every year (b) have some form of "connection" to Bulgaria, such as owning a house or a Bulgarian company to achieve permanent residence status in the country.