Bulgarian Residence Permit — All Types

Comprehensive guidance on all types of residence permits, including temporary, long-term, permanent, family-based, employment, investment and other residence options available in Bulgaria.

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Residence permits

Make Bulgaria your home – legally

A residence permit is what allows you to live in Bulgaria beyond the 90-day short-stay limit. Each permit is based on a specific legal ground, and each ground has its own documents and conditions. We help you choose the right one and prepare it properly.

Who we act for

Employment – single permit, EU Blue Card and seconded workers
Family – spouses and children of Bulgarian citizens, EU citizens and foreign residents
Study – university and other educational programmes
Business and investment – company owners, managers and investors
Pensioners – with a stable pension and health insurance
Digital nomads – remote workers for foreign clients

How we assist

—Assessment of the legal ground that fits your case
—Full document set review: signatures, dates, apostilles
—Appointment booking and preparation
—Renewals, changes of ground and support after a refusal

Types of residence

—Extended residence — up to one year and renewable while your ground continues: employment, studies, family, investment, pension, remote work and others.
—Long-term residence — EU long-term resident status after five years of continuous lawful residence in Bulgaria.
—Permanent residence — indefinite residence on specific grounds, such as Bulgarian origin, family ties to a Bulgarian citizen or qualifying investment.
—Family members of EU citizens — a separate regime for spouses and relatives of Bulgarian and other EU citizens.

How the procedure runs

—Enter Bulgaria on the right visa — usually a Visa D — or under an exemption.
—File the application with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior before your visa or current permit expires.
—Biometric data is taken at submission.
—On approval, collect your residence card with your personal number as a foreigner (LNCh).
—Register your address and arrange health insurance.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change and depend on your nationality and circumstances — we confirm exactly what applies to you in a consultation.

The procedure

From first consultation to final decision.

01
Assessment
We review your situation and identify the legal ground and route that fit your case.
02
Preparation
Every document, translation, apostille and declaration is prepared and checked before filing.
03
Submission
Your application is filed with the competent institution, with appointments arranged where needed.
04
Resolution
We follow the case until the final decision — you always know what stage it is at and what comes next.

Packages from €10 — information, templates or full personal support.

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Questions

What clients ask us.

All questions →

How long does a residence permit application take to process?+

Typically between 14 days and 3 months, depending on the legal ground and the workload of the relevant authority. We recommend submitting at least 3 months before your visa expires.

Can I travel in Schengen with a Bulgarian residence permit?+

Yes. A valid Bulgarian residence permit, together with your passport, allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in other Schengen countries.

What is an LNCh?+

The LNCh (personal number of a foreigner) is your identification number in Bulgaria. You will need it for banks, contracts, health insurance and dealings with institutions.

What happens if my application is refused?+

With the Premium package, we support clients in filing an appeal or applying on an alternative legal ground.