Residence & Settlement in Bulgaria

Who may stay how long — and what role property and a company play. An overview for EU and non-EU citizens.

1. The status categories at a glance: Four groups matter: the Bulgarian national; the EU/EEA citizen with freedom of movement; the non-EU citizen with a residence permit (resident); and the short stay of up to 90 days. EU citizens fall under the freedom-of-movement act (ЗВПНРБ), non-EU citizens under the Foreigners Act (ЗЧРБ).
2. EU and EEA citizens: For up to three months you may stay with just an ID card or passport — no residence document may be required during this time. For a longer stay you register and receive a long-term residence certificate (up to five years); this requires employment or sufficient own means with health insurance. After five years of continuous residence you gain permanent residence. Property ownership plays no role here — residence follows freedom of movement alone.
3. Short stay for non-EU citizens (90 days): For non-EU citizens the 90/180 rule applies: up to 90 days within any 180 — visa-free or with a Schengen visa, depending on nationality. Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 2024/2025 (air and sea borders since March 2024, land borders since January 2025).
4. Long-term residence for non-EU citizens: Anyone staying longer than 90 days needs a long-stay entry visa (visa D) and then a residence permit. Three tiers: продължително (long-term residence, up to one year, renewable), дългосрочно (long-term EU residence, five years) and постоянно (permanent settlement).
5. Property is not a residence right: A common misconception: a normal property purchase gives non-EU citizens no residence right. Ownership alone is not a ground for residence — a legal basis under the Foreigners Act is always required, and any statutory investment exceptions must be checked individually with a lawyer. As an owner you use the regular 90-day rule; a longer stay needs its own permit. (The former citizenship-by-investment scheme was abolished in 2022.)
6. The company route — together with Svetlana: Buyers from outside the EU who want more than a holiday often ask about a longer stay. Important first: a Bulgarian company (OOD) — through which non-EU buyers hold land — does not in itself create a residence right. Residence through your own company is tied to strict conditions (such as creating jobs for Bulgarian citizens), and a trade representation may not itself carry out commercial activity. Whether a route works is decided by case-by-case official review — forming a company does not guarantee residence. Independently of that, Bulgaria is an attractive business location: a flat 10% on corporate and personal income and just 5% on dividends, among the lowest rates in the EU. Svetlana coordinates the review and the steps with her network of lawyers, notaries and tax advisers — from company formation and tax structuring to support through the residence procedure.

This overview (as of 2026) does not replace individual immigration, legal or tax advice; requirements, deadlines and amounts depend on nationality and the basis for residence. Svetlana connects you with her network of lawyers, notaries and tax specialists.

Life & Culture

Life & Culture: settling into everyday Bulgaria

Bulgaria is warm, safe and relaxed, but daily life works a little differently from Western Europe. Knowing this in advance helps you settle in faster and enjoy the country from your very first week. The notes below are frank and practical, to make your start easier.

Language and script: English, Cyrillic and the Russian advantage: In the cities, along the coast and with younger people, English gets you a long way. In public offices and rural areas, the Cyrillic alphabet helps. Only deep in the provinces are signs, forms and menus sometimes Cyrillic alone, whereas on the coast and in the cities the Latin script is usually shown alongside. Anyone who speaks Russian enjoys a real advantage: Bulgarian and Russian are closely related, and Russian is widely understood on the coast and among older generations. Even a few words of Bulgarian open doors.
Mentality: reserved, but reliable: Bulgarians tend to meet strangers with reserve rather than exuberance. This is not rejection; it is politeness. If you make the first personal contact, trust and genuine helpfulness usually follow. A personal approach matters more than formality: much is settled directly rather than by e-mail. Proactive updates and follow-up questions are less common than many Western Europeans expect. You get furthest by saying, kindly but clearly, what you need.
The notary, public offices and service: Things usually get done reliably, yet the style differs markedly from Western Europe. The clearest example is the notary appointment: it runs as a high-volume operation, handled mostly by notarial assistants; the deed is usually not read aloud, and there is no legal review of the transaction comparable to the German model. For many Western Europeans this is a shock at first. A sworn translator attends, and Svetlana prepares the appointment to the standard you expect. With tradespeople it pays to follow up on commitments in a friendly way. Service in restaurants and shops can be more matter-of-fact; a constant smile between strangers is unusual in Bulgaria and is no sign of unfriendliness.
Safety and honest dealings: Bulgaria is very safe: crime is low and pushy behaviour is the exception. In the large holiday hubs such as Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, at the height of the season, a little extra awareness is wise, as anywhere in the world. Beyond them you will find a calm and respectful everyday life.
Svetlana's role: your bridge on the ground: This is exactly where Svetlana excels. She knows both worlds and bridges the cultural differences. She prepares appointments to the standard you know from Western Europe, discusses the documents with lawyers and the notary in advance, and helps where language matters. What first feels unfamiliar quickly becomes familiar.

Official sources

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