BulgariaResidence permit

Family reunification in Bulgaria

The programme allows family members of foreign nationals to move to Bulgaria if their relative already has a permitted stay there of at least a year. Proof of stable income of no less than the country's minimum salary is required. The family lives together in Bulgaria on a long-stay permit issued by the Migration Directorate. Family members may apply for permanent residence after five years of continuous residence.

Source: Ministry of the Interior, Migration Directorate — Разрешения за пребиваване

Who the route is open to, and in what situations

Family reunification in Bulgaria works in two main scenarios: where a foreign national with a permitted stay already lives in the country, or where the sponsor is a Bulgarian citizen.

The sponsor is a foreign national with a permitted stay

Has lived in Bulgaria with an official permit for at least a year
Earns or has income of no less than the country's minimum salary or pension
Provides a notarised declaration of the address of residence
The family member files the application within the 14 days before the current permit expires

Family members who are moving

Spouses (married to the sponsor)
Minor children (including foster children and stepchildren)
Unmarried adult children unable to support themselves for health reasons
The sponsor's parents, if the sponsor supports them

The sponsor is a Bulgarian citizen

A Bulgarian citizen may sponsor foreign family members with no minimum period of residence
The same requirements as to finances and documents apply
The decision is taken faster where there is a direct family relationship
After five years of residence in Bulgaria the family members may obtain permanent residence

When the programme is not a fit

The sponsor has lived in Bulgaria for less than a year, or their status has already expired

First restore or obtain your own residence permit, then file the reunification application

Income below the minimum monthly salary, or no source of funds

Increase the income or involve a guarantor who meets the financial requirements

The relatives are not on the list of family members (for example brothers, sisters, a mother-in-law who is not supported)

Consider other residence programmes (for example the foreign national obtaining a permit in their own right on the basis of their own income)

The application was filed out of time (later than 14 days before the sponsor's permit expires)

Send a request to the migration unit explaining the reason for the delay

What it costs

Residence permit for up to 6 monthsFor each family member	200 BGN
Residence permit from 6 months to 1 yearFor each family member	500 BGN
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	700 BGN

Paid separately

Criminal record certificate — Issued free of charge by the competent authority of the home country
Certificate of health insurance — The cost is included in the health insurance policy

Documents to gather

All foreign documents have to be translated into Bulgarian and legalised (apostilled).

A family reunification application (the form is issued by the migration unit)
A valid passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the permit applied for)
A marriage certificate or confirmation of family status (original and copy)
Birth certificates for the children (original and copy)
A criminal record certificate (from the law enforcement authorities of the country of origin)
Proof of the address of residence in Bulgaria (a tenancy agreement, a title deed, a notarised declaration from the owner of the property)
The sponsor's financial documents (a bank statement, a salary certificate, a pension document, an income declaration)
A certificate of health insurance in Bulgaria
A notarised address declaration from the sponsoring foreign national

How the process runs

The process starts with filing the application and ends with receiving the residence permit.

1
Preparing and translating the documents
2–3 weeks
Collect all the required documents, have the foreign documents translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator and obtain an apostille on the documents from the competent authorities.
2
Obtaining the address declaration
1–2 days
The sponsoring foreign national has to appear before a notary with a document confirming their address of residence (a tenancy agreement, a utility bill, a title deed).
3
Filing the application with the migration unit
1 day
File the complete set of documents with the regional migration unit of the Ministry of the Interior directorate. The application may be filed by the family member in person or by their representative. Filing deadline: no later than 14 days before the sponsor's current permit expires.
4
Examination of the case and the decision
1 month
The Migration Directorate examines the application and takes a decision within one month of the filing date. If further checks or documents are needed, the period may be extended by one month.
5
Receiving the residence permit
2–5 days
After a positive decision the family member attends the migration unit to collect the plastic residence permit card. The permit is issued for 6 months or 1 year, depending on the period applied for and the sponsor's financial standing.

Who you can bring with you

The Bulgarian Foreigners Act defines which family members are entitled to reunification. Special rules apply to adult children.

Spouse of the sponsor

Married to the sponsor on the day the application is filed. The marriage document has to be translated and legalised.

Minor children (including foster children and stepchildren)

Under 18. No other guardian is required. Where there is a second parent, their consent may be required.

Unmarried adult children

Included if their state of health prevents them from supporting themselves. A medical report is required.

Parents of the sponsoring foreign national (in certain circumstances)

Only if the sponsor supports them. A very rare case; usually considered individually depending on the particular circumstances.

More distant relatives (brothers, sisters, a mother-in-law)

Are NOT on the list of family members entitled to reunification under the standard procedure.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The sponsor has lived in Bulgaria on a permitted stay for at least a year. For a family under art. 33r of the Foreigners Act no minimum period is required.

A residence permit obtained under the reunification programme is issued for 6 months or 1 year. Once it expires, if the sponsoring foreign national still has a permitted stay and sufficient financial standing, the permit may be renewed on the same terms. If the financial situation has improved, the family member may apply for a renewal for a longer period (up to 3 years). Family members of a Bulgarian citizen who have lived in Bulgaria continuously for five years are entitled to apply for permanent residence (postoyanen prestoy).

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

A family member of a Bulgarian citizen applies for permanent residence after five years of continuous residence in the country.

Frequently asked questions about Family reunification

What is the minimum salary required for family reunification?

The sponsor has to have stable, regular, predictable and sufficient income of no less than the minimum monthly salary set in Bulgaria, or the minimum pension. For 2026 this figure is set by law, but it is best to check the exact amount with the regional unit of the Ministry of the Interior, as the minimum salary may change.

Can the sponsor be a Bulgarian citizen?

Yes. If the sponsor is a Bulgarian citizen, there is no requirement of at least a year's residence in Bulgaria. The same requirements as to income, documents and the composition of the family apply. Family members of a Bulgarian citizen do, however, have advantages when obtaining permanent residence in the future.

Can an adult child move to Bulgaria under the programme?

An unmarried adult child may move only if their state of health prevents them from supporting themselves. In that case a medical report confirming the limitation on their capacity to work is required. In all other cases an adult has to look for another route to residence.

How long does it take to obtain the residence permit?

The standard period for examining the application is one month from the date it is filed. If the Migration Directorate needs further checks or documents, the period may be extended by one month. Once the decision is taken, issuing the plastic card may take a few more days.

Other ways to move to Bulgaria

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Bulgaria.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.