For those wishing to move from Russia to any country in Europe, Bulgaria is one of the best options, since it is easy to obtain a residence permit in the Republic. Cultural differences between the inhabitants of Russia and Bulgaria are insignificant, and adaptation takes place quickly.
Features of life in the country
Russians are attracted to Bulgaria by:
- high standard of living;
- good ecology and diverse nature;
- the presence of the sea and beaches;
- low crime rate.
Communication with local residents, many of whom know Russian, is not difficult.
Being included in the list of states unfriendly to the Russian Federation, Bulgaria refused direct flights with it and introduced a visa entry permit, however, it is quite easy to obtain an entry permit and other documents authorizing stay in the country. But recently, the process of opening accounts in Bulgarian banks has become more complicated.
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, while it is one of the poorest countries, which has high inflation and low wages (the minimum wage is 370 €).
There is also an unstable political situation in Bulgaria, corruption scandals often occur. There is almost no investment in the country. Since 2022, Russians with real estate in Bulgaria have withdrawn over € 19 million from the country.
Immigrants negatively assess the poorly developed market of services, including the Internet sphere, bureaucracy, and a relaxed attitude to life and agreements among local residents. In the absence of medical insurance, doctors’ services are expensive. Many migrants have a low opinion of the level of school and higher education in Bulgaria.
The advantages of a residence permit
A Bulgarian residence permit allows a migrant to leave and return to the country indefinitely, and the period of residence is not limited. To visit the countries of the Schengen Agreement, it is required to obtain a visa, and a foreigner with a residence permit is entitled to it.
He can use banking services, take out mortgages and loans on equal terms with Bulgarian citizens. The owner of a residence permit has the right to register a car in his name, and arrange for children to go to kindergarten and school for free.
Migration policy and strategy
The republic has adopted a document defining a national strategy for migrants, the document is designed for 2021-2025. Bulgaria is loyal to those migrants who are able to bring economic benefits to the country — these are young people, students and researchers, highly qualified employees and seasonal workers.
However, in 2024, the “Law on Foreigners” was amended, making it tougher to obtain a residence permit for a number of reasons. Also in 2024, Bulgaria, which partially joined the Schengen area, complicated the procedure for obtaining visas for Russians.
Grounds for obtaining a residence permit
Paragraph 24 of the “Law on Foreigners” lists over 30 types of programs under which a migrant can obtain a permit and reside in the country.
Buying a property
When buying a property worth more than € 306,000, an immigrant is eligible for a residence permit.
The conditions for obtaining a residence permit under this program are:
- the payment must be transferred through the bank;
- if a loan was taken for the purchase, it must be paid for 75%
- The property must be registered with the Bulstat Register within a week;
- the change of ownership tax and registration fee have been paid.
A foreigner does not have the right to buy a plot of land with a house. Consideration of documents takes up to 2 weeks. Those who choose this method should take into account that the average price of a 2-room apartment in Sofia is 50000-70000 €, in the province 10000-20000 €.
We must not forget about the additional costs: for an apartment worth 30,000 euros or more, about 1,500 euros are paid annually. This amount includes utilities, tax, and garbage collection. Therefore, this program for obtaining a residence permit is rarely used by Russian emigrants.
Training
Bulgaria’s residence permit can be obtained by exchange students of secondary schools, full-time students and foreigners undergoing internships. In Bulgaria, higher education can be obtained at a university, college or college. The cost of a year of study in a public institution is 1500-3000 €, in a private one – 8000-10000 €.
Knowledge of the Bulgarian language is required upon admission, and language courses cost up to 2,500 euros. To become a student at a local university, it is enough to submit a diploma or certificate with an average score of 62-75%. The result of the Unified State Exam is not required, as well as passing exams.
A Bulgarian educational institution receives a residence permit from the Ministry of Education for a student/student/intern. To obtain a residence permit, it is required to submit a certificate from the educational institution, which indicates the period of study, the permission of the ministry and a receipt for payment. The extension of a student residence permit depends on academic performance.
Work
According to the “Law on Foreigners”, business travelers and highly qualified foreign employees have the right to obtain a residence permit. Due to the shortage of specialists in Bulgaria, it has been simplified to obtain a work permit for foreigners whose professions are included in the list compiled by the Ministry of Employment.
The following are in demand on the local labor market:
- industrial production engineers;
- chemists;
- electrical engineers;
- specialists in the field of information and communication technologies;
- system analysts;
- computer network specialists;
- software developers.
To obtain a residence permit, a foreigner must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor, where a Bulgarian company submits a request for an applicant. However, permission is given only if there are no candidates from local residents for the position. Taxes to social and pension funds, as well as income tax are deducted from salaries.
Foreigners with unique high qualifications have the opportunity to conclude a contract with a Bulgarian employer and receive a Blue Card. Such a document allows you to live in the country for the entire term of the contract, but not less than 2 and not more than 5 years. The resident confirms his high qualification with a work record and a diploma.
Seasonal workers receive a residence permit for 9 months with the possibility of a one-time extension or prolongation when changing their place of work. However, seasonal workers are not granted permanent residence.
“Remote workers, freelancers” who have received permission to practice freely from an employment Agency can get a residence permit. In this case, employees pay for insurance and taxes themselves, for the self–employed the rate is 10%, for sole proprietors – 15%.
Entrepreneurship, business
Residence permits are issued to entrepreneurs who develop the Bulgarian economy.
There are several programs:
- invest in an existing Bulgarian company from € 306,000;
- invest from € 128,000 in the company and create at least 5 positions for local residents;
- to create a company with jobs for 10 Bulgarians;
- to launch a unique innovative startup, while confirmation from the Ministry of Innovation is required.
If a foreigner is willing to invest over 512,000 euros in the economic fields defined by the Bulgarian government, he can count on a residence permit.
By representation
A residence permit is given to foreigners who represent their company in Bulgaria. Such an enterprise operating in the Russian Federation for at least 2 years must be registered in Bulgaria and pay taxes to the local budget.
The immigration service often requests tax certificates confirming financial turnover and profitability. Additionally, an office action plan with job responsibilities may be required. The representative must have at least 1,900 euros in his account, rented or own real estate.
Treatment
To obtain a residence permit on this basis, it is required to present a certificate from a medical institution about the need for medical care, as well as a document on the availability of funds to pay for treatment and accommodation.
Marriage and family reunification
A residence permit in Bulgaria can be obtained by family members of a resident: wife/husband, children and parents. It is required to present documents that confirm the relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate) and the availability of living space. The resident sends a letter of sponsorship with an obligation to support the arrivals.
The immigrant must submit an application at least six months before the expiration of his permit.
A person who has entered into a marital relationship with a Bulgarian citizen is issued a residence permit on a marriage certificate, it does not matter in which country the marriage is registered. However, the receiving party confirms the availability of living space, and migration authorities regularly check the authenticity of marital relations.
Pension program
Foreigners with age-appropriate social benefits can be legalized in Bulgaria. Foreigners must have monthly pension payments of at least €268 and a bank deposit of €3,220.
Refugee status
An asylum seeker in Bulgaria is granted resident status after a written appeal to the President of the country, the letter is transmitted through the Refugee Agency. Family members of a refugee can also request a similar status.
Refugees have the right to medical care and education, can work and move. Bulgarian legislation also provides for the status of “temporary protection”, which is used in the event of a mass influx of migrants.
Research activities
In order to obtain a residence permit under this program, it is required to submit a joint work agreement with a research structure in Bulgaria. If, at the end of the residence permit period, the candidate has been registered with an Employment Agency, he can extend the residence permit for 9 months to find a job. A residence permit is also issued for family members of the resident.
Religious and volunteer activities
Invited by Bulgarian religious communities can obtain a residence permit by submitting documents confirming their non-profit activities. The basis for legalization is also volunteer work, which is carried out in accordance with the norms of the European Volunteer Service.
Special merits
The Government of the Republic can provide a residence permit on an individual basis. Foreigners with scientific, social, cultural or sporting achievements are welcome in the country.
Registration procedure
To apply for a residence permit, adult foreigners must:
- provide reasons for your stay in the country;
- be registered in insured housing (own or rented);
- have an annual health insurance for 30,000 €;
- have finances (5800 € per year for each person).
How to get a residence permit in Bulgaria for Russians. Scheme.
The candidate must not have a criminal record.
Where to register
To obtain an entry visa, all documents are submitted personally to the diplomatic mission or consulate of Bulgaria in their country. In the Russian Federation, the Consular Department is located in Moscow.
After obtaining a long-term D visa, the immigrant registers in Bulgaria at his place of residence. Documents for obtaining a residence permit are submitted to the Migration Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of residence.
Documents
A residence permit in Bulgaria requires the submission of the following documents:
- statement;
- a copy of a foreign passport with a D visa;
- an annual rental agreement or a document on your own real estate;
- a card with a residence permit;
- an extract from the bank on the availability of an amount equal to the sum of 12 minimum wages;
- certificate of non-criminal record;
- medical insurance with coverage of 30,000 €.
The standard set of documents is supplemented with a receipt for payment of the state fee.
Depending on the justification for moving to Bulgaria, additional documents on education, work experience, illness, business registration, etc. are provided. The candidate for resident submits biometric data. All documents must be translated into Bulgarian and notarized.
Stages of registration
After obtaining a D visa and entering Bulgaria, the migrant submits documents for a permit for a long stay in the country. Initially, the migration department gives him a temporary residence permit for 2-4 weeks. During this period, it is required to issue and submit documents for a residence permit.
In case of a positive decision, the resident receives a residence permit. The permit must be extended at least 2 weeks before the expiration of the current permit.
How long to wait
Unlike many countries, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria does not take much time. It takes from 1 week to a month to collect visa documents. Obtaining a D visa at the Bulgarian consulate takes up to 30 working days, but in reality up to 45 days or more. Having a D visa, it is required to enter the country within 180 days.
After submitting documents for a residence permit, the application is considered by the migration service within 2 weeks. A plastic residence permit card is issued urgently in 3-5 days, in the usual case – a month. In total, it takes from 4.5 months for immigration. If a migrant decides to use the services of specialized firms, registration does not take place in an expedited manner.
Cost
The paperwork is paid in euros:
| Option | Amount, € |
| The fee for issuing a visa D | 100 |
| Fee for reviewing documents for a residence permit | 5 |
The fee for obtaining a residence permit:
|
102 255 |
Production of a plastic residence permit card:
|
23 128 |
Of the additional costs, it is necessary to take into account the translation of documents (from € 9 per sheet), notary services (from € 10) and apostille (from € 20). When extending a residence permit, the state fee and the production of a new card are paid annually. A fine of 25 € is charged for late residence permit.
Validity period
A Russian citizen can stay in Bulgaria for up to 180 days with a visa permit. Immigrants who have issued a residence permit have the right to stay in the republic for 1 year (in some cases 2-5 years).
You do not need to leave Bulgaria to renew your permit. If an immigrant has lived in Bulgaria for 5 years, and at the same time has not left for more than 30 months in total, then he has the right to apply for permanent residence.
Possible difficulties
It is not difficult to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria if there are serious reasons for moving. This is the main difficulty faced by immigrants – they need to provide strong evidence of their usefulness to the Bulgarian economy.
At the same time, migration laws are gradually becoming more complicated: if earlier up to 5 migrant representatives could work on behalf of a foreign enterprise in Bulgaria, then according to a government decision in 2024, there are already 2.
To avoid problems with obtaining a residence permit, experts recommend applying for an up-to-date list of documents at the migration department, which is located at the place of residence.
Reasons for refusal
The most common reason for refusal to grant a residence permit in Bulgaria is an incomplete set of documents or their incorrect registration. They also refuse those whose documents are falsified.
They always refuse when there is a shortage of finances in the bank account. Since the amount of the subsistence minimum changes annually, the current data should be clarified at the consulate.
Insufficient grounds for moving are grounds for refusal. The reasons for which a foreigner requests to provide a residence permit must be supported by appropriate documents.
The violator of the migration regime of Bulgaria and other EU countries will be denied a residence permit, as well as those who are on the list of persons whose appearance is undesirable or threatens the security of the republic. Those who come from a region where an outbreak of diseases or a difficult epidemic situation has been recorded can receive a refusal. People suffering from infectious diseases are also denied.
They do not provide a residence permit to those who entered the country as a husband / wife of a Bulgarian citizen, however, after checking by the migration service, it turned out that the marriage is fictitious. Upon receipt of a refusal within 14 days, the candidate for a residence permit has the right to correct errors, add to the list of documents and re-submit them for consideration by paying a fee.
Cancellation
The reasons for the cancellation of a residence permit are:
- the migrant left Bulgaria for six months or more;
- the student or student has been expelled from the educational institution;
- the amount of investment has decreased;
- the company does not make a profit;
- violations of Bulgarian laws have been recorded;
- the migrant has issued a residence permit status in another EU state.
If the migrant has expired the extension of the residence permit, his document will be withdrawn, and in order to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria, you will first have to obtain a long-term visa.
Features of registration for certain categories of citizens
If the parents have been issued a residence permit, there will be no refusal in respect of a minor child. A separate package of documents is prepared for a child upon receipt of a visa, most often under the program “Family Reunification”. The package includes medical insurance (30,000 €), an exit permit from the parent and a certificate that the second parent has a residence permit in Bulgaria.
A certificate from the parent’s account stating that there is an amount equal to 6 minimum salaries in his account is mandatory. When applying for a visa and obtaining a passport, a child of any age must personally visit the consulate.
When applying for a residence permit at the migration department of the Bulgarian Police, the child must also be present in person. The cost of a permit under the “Reunification” program for children is 77 €, the production of a residence permit card and the fee are paid separately.
The residence permit in Bulgaria is extended annually, and after 5 years of permanent residence in the country, documents are submitted for permanent residence. Having a residence permit, unlike a tourist visa, allows you to leave the country indefinitely, open a business, buy a car. Obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria is one of the simplest procedures in the EU, despite the constant tightening of the “Law on Foreigners”.
Video about a residence permit in Bulgaria
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