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Visas, Residence PermitsShort staysCitizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Schengen Agreement zone do not need a visa to enter Bulgaria when doing so for a period of less than 30 days at a time (90 for Schengen citizens). All they do need is a valid passport showing their full citizenship. The same applies to nationals of a range of other countries - all of the EU candidate countries (except Turkey), Australia and New Zealand, the United States and Canada and a number of others - Chile, Costa Rica, Israel, Japan and South Korea all stay without need of a visa.Importantly, any foreign persons are required to register with the police on arrival, but hotels are obliged to do that for their guests. Visitors who are staying for more than 2 days independently should go to the trouble of registering as there is a stiff fine for non-registration which the border police can apply on departure. During a short stay, individuals who have either arrived visa-free or on a valid visa may apply for extension of their leave to stay and for a change of status. This should be done with the local office of the Ministry of the Interior. Longer stays and residence permitsBulgaria allows foreign citizens to remain lawfully resident for the purpose of setting up in business, for work or to study. There is a special provision for retired persons of independent means. Residence permits are required for all purposes. In the first instance, permits are issued for a year and are renewable thereafter. The passage of 5 years on a permit allows permanent residence. Naturally, after 2007, special rules will apply to EU citizens, who should be able to dispense (in theory) with the formal requirements that are not applied to Bulgarians. EU member state citizens will then need to register only once at the beginning of their stay. For further information please do not hesitate to ask us and we shall be happy to explain more about the legal requirements connected to residence in Bulgaria and acquiring Bulgarian citizenship. TopDealing with the authoritiesThe level of red tape is doubtlessly higher, although it may in fact compare well to that in Italy and Spain. We are able to offer you post-purchase services and advice in this regard as well. Contact us for more information. Top © 2003 New Balkans Ltd.
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Resolving Formalities
