Bulgaria offers a citizenship by investment program, similar to a Golden Visa, which allows you to gain citizenship by completing two main steps; invest in the country and become a permanent resident. Then, you can gain citizenship either after five years or 18 months, which makes the process one of the fastest citizenship programs in Europe.
How Does the Bulgarian Investor Visa Work?
The Bulgarian investor visa allows you to invest in pre-approved funds/bonds in exchange for permanent residence. In most cases, to get permanent residence in Bulgaria, you must have lived there for five years under a temporary visa. However, with an investor visa, you receive your residency card within several months of your application. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to apply for citizenship.
Who Can Apply for an Investor Visa In Bulgaria?
You can apply for a Bulgarian investor visa if:
- You are a non-EU citizen.
- You are over the age of 18.
- You have no criminal record.
- You have the required funds to make and maintain your investment.
- You are in good health.
Bulgaria Investment Opportunities
To get an investor visa in Bulgaria, you have to invest a minimum amount of € 512,000 ( BGN 1 million) in one of the following approved investment programs:
- Stocks/ shares traded in Bulgaria.
- Private equity funds.
- Venture capital or hedge funds.
- Real estate investment companies.
Bulgaria Citizenship Investment
Your investor visa in Bulgaria will enable you to apply for citizenship after you’ve maintained your investment for five years in Bulgaria. However, you can choose the option for fast-tracked citizenship, which allows you to become a Bulgarian citizen after 18 months.
To qualify for fast-tracked citizenship, you have to invest an additional € 512,000, which brings your total investment to € 1 million. You must complete the second part of the investment once your permanent residence card is issued.
Bulgarian Investor Visa Application Process
The application process for a Bulgarian investor visa goes as follows:
| Complete the pre-approval process | The Bulgarian Investment Agency (BIA) will conduct a background check to ensure that your investment does not go against the country’s anti-money laundering laws.
|
| Make your investment | You don’t have to be in the country to purchase your investment. But, you need to complete the investment first so that BIA can provide you with the investment certificate you need for your visa application.
|
| Apply for an entry visa | Once your purchase is approved, you can collect your documents and apply for a Type D investor visa at a Bulgarian embassy/consulate in your country. The visa can be valid for 6 or 12 months- depending on your situation. Remember, the purpose of the visa is to allow you to enter the country and apply for your permanent residency.
|
| Collect your residence card | After you enter the country, you can then apply for and collect your permanent residence card, and later on, you can apply for your ID card. Once you receive your residence card, you won’t need your D visa anymore or any type of visa to enter Bulgaria. |
Document Checklist for the Bulgarian Investor Visa
For the Bulgarian investment program, you need to prepare the following documents:
- Application form. You have to fill out the visa application form for your D visa, and you may also be required to submit a request for your permanent residence card.
- You must provide a copy of your passport pages. Some embassies/consulates may ask for the original passport- so make sure you check with the embassy beforehand.
- Certificate of investment. After you submit your investment, the Bulgarian Immigration Office will issue you a certificate confirming your investment. You must provide the certificate will the rest of the required documents.
- Proof of paid visa fees. You need to provide a receipt showing that you paid for your application and processing fees.
- Passport photo. You will need a recent passport photo or more, depending on the embassy requirements. The photos have to follow specific guidelines, i.e., your face has to be seen, no sunglasses, no editing, and there must be a plain white background. To make sure the photos are in regulation, you have the option to take the photos professionally at your country of residence.
- Civil status documents. You’re required to provide certified copies of your civil status documents which include:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce papers (if applicable)
- Adoption documents (if applicable)
- Name change documents (if applicable)
- Police certificate. You have to provide a police clearance certificate from your residence country proving that you have no criminal record.
- Proof of funds. Submit your bank statements showing that you have enough financial funds to make the investment and support yourself and any dependents that apply with you. Also, proof that the funds you have are from a legitimate source.
- Travel health insurance. You need to purchase travel health insurance when you apply for your investor visa. The insurance must be valid for your duration and cover any emergencies.
Please note that you may be required to provide other supporting documents.
Bulgarian Investor Visa Application Fees
You’re required to pay additional fees to have your investor visa processed in Bulgaria:
- National D visa fee: €100 up to €200.
- Due diligence fee: € 7,500 (for single applicants).
- Residence permit and ID application fee: € 650.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Bulgarian Investor Visa?
It takes around six months to receive your investor visa in Bulgaria. This includes the whole process, from making your investment and entering the country to receiving your permanent residence card.
Do I Have to Live in Bulgaria to Get an Investor Visa?
No, you will receive your visa immediately after you apply without fulfilling a residency requirement.
Do I Have to Travel to Bulgaria to Make My Investment?
You only have to visit the country twice; when you collect your residence card and apply for your ID number.
Bulgaria Investment Visa Validity
Your investor visa is permanent, but your residence card expires after five years, which you have to renew. You also have the option to apply for citizenship after five years (18 months under fast-tracked application), so you’re not required to renew your residence card.
Can I Apply With Family Members for a Bulgarian Investment Visa?
Yes, you can apply for a Bulgarian investor visa with your family members. Previously, your spouse had the option to apply for citizenship after you’ve held your citizenship for three years, but now this requirement is reduced to one year. Additionally, your children can apply for citizenship six months after you’ve been granted citizenship.
Please remember that you have to submit extra documents and pay extra fees for each additional applicant.
Benefits of the Bulgaria Investor Visa
A Bulgarian investor visa comes with several benefits, including the following:
- The opportunity to become a citizen of Bulgaria under a fast-tracked option.
- The opportunity to invest the minimum amount of € 512,000.
- Visa-free travel to more than 180 countries.
- Access to the EU.
- The option to bring your family members to Bulgaria.
- No residency requirement.
- The opportunity to liquidate your investment after five years.