Bulgaria

Residency And Citizenship By Investment

Welcome to Bulgaria

The ideal gateway into the European economy and way of life, Bulgaria is diverse, culturally rich and perfectly placed for working and travelling in and around the continent. 

Facts about Bulgaria

Capital

Sofia

Population

6,951,482

Total Area

110,993.6 km2

Currency

Bulgarian Lev

Why Choose Bulgaria

As one of the youngest EU member states, Bulgaria boasts a rich and diverse culture, temperate climate and ideal location in Southeast Europe — and the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria helps get you there faster.

Fast Process

Fast process to residency (6 to 9 months)

Fast-track to citizenship

Fast-track option allowing for citizenship within 2 years

Investment Opportunities

Guaranteed investment and available financing option

Any Language Welcome

No language requirements for residence or citizenship

Keep Your Nationality

No obligation to relinquish current nationality

Attractive Tax System

Lowest tax rates and free-trade environment within the EU

Benefits for permanent residents

Visa-free travel

Free movement within the Schengen countries after Bulgaria becomes a member state

Premium Health care

Access to high quality health care in Bulgaria and the EU

Tax exemptions

Conditional tax exemption on world income

Benefits for citizens

Options in Europe

Unrestricted right to live, work and study in Europe

Access to EU

Right to own land in any EU country

Qualifications

Offered in accordance with the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship includes a fast-track citizenship option. To qualify, applicants must fulfill one of the investment options in addition to meeting the following criteria:

  • Be a non-EU citizen
  • Possess a valid passport or another substitute foreign travel document
  • Have a personal net worth greater than €1 million (required by banks for the financed investment option). For the full investment option the net worth requirement is €511,292
  • Provide documents supporting the source and origin of the declared and invested funds
  • Hold no criminal record
  • Attest the Power of Attorneys and sign the Investment Agreement
  • Pay application fees
  • Make the minimum statutory trips to Bulgaria

Investment Options

Full Investment

Applicants choosing this option must deposit BGN 1 million (€511,292) in a Governmental Bond Portfolio for an investment period of five years with no further payment required. At the end of the five-year period, the full amount of BGN 1 million (€511,292) will be returned to the investor without any accrued interest. The investment is fully guaranteed by the government bonds.

Financed Investment

For a set pre-paid fee, clients can leverage their capital by choosing the Financed Investment option. These individuals pay a reduced amount that will be used to finance a BGN 1 million (€511,292) closed 5.5-year loan from a chartered bank. This loan is initiated and repaid at no further cost to the investor.

Applicants choosing the Financed Investment option will need to demonstrate net worldwide assets of €1 million, a requirement of the chartered bank. 

Fast-track citizenship option

The fast-track option allows investors to apply for citizenship faster by doubling their investment. The requirements for this option are as follows:

  • Have at least 1 year of permanent residency status
  • Double the investment by putting €512,000 in government bonds
  • Hold the two investments for a period of 2 years after becoming Bulgarian citizen

Financing options are available to qualified applicants.

Citizenship applications for participants in the fast-track citizenship program are examined under express procedure.

Citizenship requirements

In accordance with the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, foreign investors who hold a permanent resident permit for at least five years are eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship. The requirements for those who opt for the regular program are as follows:

  • Must be over 18 years old
  • Must have maintained permanent resident status and a valid residential address for the past 5 years
  • Must have never been sentenced by a court for a capital offence or accused in criminal proceedings for such a crime (unless he/she has been rehabilitated)

Investors will need to file a citizenship application and pass medical tests in Bulgaria.

Our Process

The table below breaks down the application process into eight basic steps. Some require the applicant’s involvement while others are taken care of by Arton Capital or the competent Bulgarian financial institution (once power of attorney has been granted by the applicant). Each step must be completed before continuing to the next. 

Month 1

Main Applicant

Step 1

File preparation and submission. Application fees are due at this stage.

Step 2

Appointment at a Bulgarian Consulate for document signing.

Step 3

Investment transfer by the applicant.

Month 3

Main Applicant

Step 4

Investment Certificate issued.

Step 5

Second appointment at a Bulgarian Consulate for Visa D application.

Month 5

Main Applicant

Step 6

Visa D granted, followed by a first trip to Bulgaria. Submission of application for permanent residence (PR). 

Months 8-9

Main Applicant

Step 7

Permanent residence approved, followed by a second trip to Bulgaria. Submission of application for Bulgarian PR card. 

Step 8

Receipt of Bulgarian PR card (three days after application). 

Phase 2

Family Members

Once the main applicant is issued the Bulgarian ID document, the procedure for qualifying family members begins. The process for obtaining a Bulgarian ID may take six months (this includes two mandatory trips to Bulgaria for each qualifying family member). 

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