BulgariaPermanent residence

Long-term residence in Bulgaria

Long-term residence is an administrative status allowing a foreign national to live in Bulgaria on a permanent basis. The status is granted to those who have already lived in the country lawfully for five years without interruption. The permit is valid for five years and may be renewed. The application is filed with the Migration Directorate no earlier and no later than the periods set by law.

Visa term

Five years. The status is renewed on application.

Threshold

The permit costs EUR 56.24, the card EUR 20.45.

Residence

Five years of lawful continuous residence before the application is filed.

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

Who obtains the status and how it is arranged

The status suits those who have already lived in Bulgaria for five years on their current residence permit. Separate time limits apply to filing the application, to its examination and to renewing an expired status.

First grant

Holds a valid residence permit for Bulgaria
Has lived in the country for five full years before filing the application
The residence was continuous and lawful
Files the application two months before the end of the current permit

Renewing the status

Holds valid long-term residence status
Files a new application two months before the end of the permit
Lives at the address stated in the documents
Provides the documents in full

For family members

The spouse of the foreign national applying
Children under 21, including adopted children
Dependent parents
They apply together with the main applicant or separately

When the programme is not a fit

You have lived in Bulgaria for less than five years

Renew your current residence permit or apply for another status (extended or short stay)

The residence was interrupted or unlawful

Contact the Migration Directorate to clarify your status and the possible options

You have no current valid residence permit

First obtain a residence permit through a Bulgarian diplomatic mission

What it costs

Long-term residence permitEqual to EUR 56.24 at the central bank rate	110 BGN
Long-term residence cardEqual to EUR 20.45 at the central bank rate; issued when the permit is granted	40 BGN
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	150 BGN

Paid separately

Translation of documents — If the documents are in a foreign language, the applicant pays for the translation separately
Photographs — Have to be provided at the applicant's expense

Documents to gather

Documents are submitted as originals or certified copies. The application form is issued by the Migration Directorate or is available on the Ministry of the Interior website.

An application on the standard form, signed by the applicant
A valid passport or identity document
A residence permit for Bulgaria (if already obtained)
A certificate of address registration on Bulgarian territory
A document on financial independence (a bank statement, an employment contract)
A criminal record certificate from the country the foreign national came from, or from the last country of residence
A medical certificate (where required by law)
Four colour photographs, 35×45 mm
Documents confirming the purpose of the stay in Bulgaria
Translations of foreign documents, certified in the prescribed manner

How the process runs

The process involves several stages: preparing the documents, filing the application, checks and the decision.

1
Preparing the documents and the application
2–4 weeks
Collect all the required documents. Fill in the application form at the Migration Directorate or download it from the Ministry of the Interior portal. Make sure all copies are certified and have translations.
2
Filing the application with the Migration Directorate
1 day
File the application with the documents at the regional directorate of the Ministry of the Interior. The application has to be filed no earlier than two months and no later than two months before the end of the current residence permit.
3
Preliminary check of the documents
1–2 weeks
The Directorate checks that the documents are complete and correct. If anything is missing, you will be given 30 days to supply it.
4
Examination of the application
2 months
The administrative proceedings on the application last two months from the day it is filed. In complex circumstances the period may be extended by a further two months.
5
Receiving the decision and the documents
1 day
You receive the decision in person. If it is positive, a long-term residence permit and a card are issued. The card carries biometric data.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a foreign national may apply for long-term residence at the same time as the main applicant, or separately if they meet the conditions.

Spouse

The marriage has to be officially registered and recognised under Bulgarian law. The spouse may apply at the same time or after the main applicant's application has been approved.

Children under 21

Biological and adopted children under 21 are included in the family group. A child over 21 files an application in their own right if they meet the requirements.

Wholly dependent parents

Parents of any age may be included if it is documented that they are wholly financially dependent on the applicant and have no means of their own.

Renewal and the grace period

Long-term residence status is renewed on application no later than two months before the end of the current permit. The new permit is issued for five years. The conditions for renewal are the same as for the first grant. The decision is taken within two months. If you filed the renewal application in good time, you may remain in Bulgaria until the decision is taken, even if the current permit has expired.

Frequently asked questions about Long-term residence

Can I apply for long-term residence if I have lived in Bulgaria for exactly five years?

Yes, but only if those five years are complete at the time the application is filed. The application is filed two months before the end of the current residence permit, provided that by that point you have already completed five full years of residence. If the five years are completed after the application is filed, it may be refused.

What happens if I file the application later than two months before the end of the permit?

The application may be refused as filed out of time. Bulgarian law requires the application to be filed exactly two months before the end of the current permit, and no later. If you have missed the deadline, contact the Migration Directorate to clarify the possible options.

How long does it take to receive a decision after filing the application?

The decision on the application has to be taken within two months of the day it is filed. If the case is complex or further checks are needed, the period may be extended by a further two months. You will be given 30 days to provide additional documents if they are required. You will be notified of the decision in writing.

Do I need a visa before applying for long-term residence?

If you are already in Bulgaria on a valid residence permit, no new visa is required. A type D visa (long-stay) is only required for the first entry into the country and is obtained at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate abroad. After obtaining the visa and entering Bulgaria you file the application for a long-term residence permit with the Migration Directorate.

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.