Trade representative office in Bulgaria
A long-term residence permit for representatives of foreign trading companies that have registered their representative office with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The programme is intended for owners and managers of companies opening an office in Bulgaria. A valid passport, health insurance and proof of accommodation are required. The permit is issued together with compulsory registration with the BCCI.
Source: mfa.bg — D visa, ground “representative of a foreign commercial company” (чл. 24, ал. 1, т. 6 ЗЧРБ)
Who may apply
The programme is open to representatives of foreign companies that have registered a trade representative office with the BCCI. Choose the category that matches your status.
Owner or director of the company
- A foreign national with authority to represent the company
- The company is registered in the commercial register of its own country
- A representative office has been opened at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Appointed representative
- A person authorised by the owner to represent the company
- A power of attorney or a letter of appointment
- Documents on the registration of the representative office with the BCCI
When the programme is not a fit
The company plans to carry on retail trade or provide services in Bulgaria
A visa for the self-employed or for investors; the licensing of the activity has to be examined
The representative has no authority to represent the company
Obtain a power of attorney from the owner or an official letter of appointment from the company
The representative office is not yet registered with the BCCI
First complete the registration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Documents to gather
All documents issued abroad have to be legalised with an apostille under the Hague Convention and translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator.
- A valid passport (valid for at least 18 months)
- A criminal record certificate (on the initial application)
- Health insurance (minimum cover of EUR 30,000)
- Proof of accommodation (a tenancy agreement or a title deed)
- A certificate of the current registration of the representative office with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (issued no earlier than one month ago)
- A document on the current standing of the founding company
- A document confirming the representative's authority (for an appointed representative)
Who you can bring with you
Certain categories of family members are exempt from fees when applying for a D visa.
Students admitted under the PMS 228 programme
Family members of a Bulgarian citizen
Minor children (under 18)
How it differs from the routes next to it
The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.
| Trade representative office | Pensioners' residence permit | EU Blue Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa term | Usually 1 year, renewed annually | Usually 1 year, renewed annually | The term of the contract plus 3 months, no longer than 4 years, renewable |
| Grounds | Representative office of a foreign company | Pensioners with sufficient means | IT and top specialists |
| Work | No; a representative office does not carry on commercial activity | No; a separate ground is needed in order to work | Yes, for the employer, in a highly qualified position |
| Residence | Actual residence is expected | Actual residence; absences break continuity | Residence is compulsory |
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
Does not count towards the qualifying period for permanent residence (a special status)
Route to citizenship
Does not lead to citizenship; a switch to another ground is required
Frequently asked questions about Trade representative office
Which documents from the foreign company are required with the application?
What is the minimum amount of health insurance?
Is a criminal record certificate required at every renewal?
What are the minimum requirements for the passport's validity?
Do documents need an apostille and a translation into Bulgarian?
Other ways to move to Bulgaria
- Residence permit for pensionersFinancially independent residence permit
- Sinya karta na ESResidence permit (qualified specialist)
- Refugee status / humanitarian statusAsylum / refuge
- Residence permit — extended stayResidence permit
- Permanent residencePermanent residence
- Long-term resident statusPermanent residence
- Family reunificationResidence permit
- Short-term stayStay
- Single residence and work permitResidence permit
- Seasonal worker permitResidence permit
- Intra-corporate transferResidence permit
- Residence of a family member of an EU citizenResidence permit / permanent residence
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: 8 August 2026.