Residency Permits

An EU citizen and or members of their family can stay in the Bulgaria with a current passport or ID card for up to 90 days without any need for registration.

For a long term stay of up to 5 years, a Resident's Permit will have to be applied for at the local immigration office. This is now a simple procedure and the permit is issued the same day.

For permanent residence you will have to apply for a "Certificate of Permanent Residence", usually after a 5 year long term stay.

For non EU citizens there are different conditions required for entry and these should be available on the Bulgarian Embassy web site for your country.

Q. How long can I stay in Bulgaria without a permit.

 You have to be citizens of the EU and employed or self-employed

Have health insurance and financial assests to cover their expenses as well as those for members of their family or a student .

It will cost 7 leva plus a nominal fee charged by the banks for their administrative charges. This is the standard fee whatever period it covers you can apply for up to 5 years.

However, if you do apply for 5 years the immigration office might well count the time you have been in Bulgaria taking the start date for the permit from the last entry stamp in your passport.

You should make sure you apply a few weeks before the current permits expires

The situation might well change in 2009 when residency permits may well be no longer required.

NOTE: Also after five continuous years of residency in Bulgaria you can apply for Permanent Residency Certificate or sooner under some conditions such as marriage to a Bulgarian Citizen.

Q. Are there any conditions needed allow me to obtain residency , how much does it cost , how long does it last

and do I have to renew my card.

If you are a EU citizen you will need the following documents for application:

Applicaton form

ID card or passport

A European Health Card

Declaration from Bank that you have a Bank Account

For family members - marriage, birth certificate or document that prove co-habitation with the person - EU citizen

A confirmation letter from the education institution for Students

A receipt for paid governmental fees.

Q.

What documents do I need to obtain my Residency Permit?