"Bulgaria has become even more attractive after joining the Schengen area," says Sofia Defosse-Aksyutina, Head of the immigration agency Easy-Visa. "We have a lot of applications for a residence permit from Russians and CIS citizens, Americans, Israelis. The most requested types are residence permits for pensioners and residence permits for sales representatives of foreign companies. But other categories are also in demand. For example, family members of a Bulgarian resident or an EU citizen can apply for a residence permit for the same period as the main applicant.
Agency Easy-Visa helps to obtain temporary and permanent residence permits, as well as citizenship Bulgaria, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Paraguay and many other countries around the world. The company is an immigration expert with 28 years of experience.
It is important that Bulgarian residency does not always imply permanent residence in the country. You can live in two countries and flexibly manage your plans.
Are there any difficulties for Russians and Belarusians?
"Bulgaria is open to all foreigners. Citizens of Russia and Belarus have the right to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence, but there are some bureaucratic difficulties, says Sofia Defosse-Aksyutina. As you know, it is not so easy to open a European bank account with a Russian passport. And for a pensioner's residence permit, you need an account opened in Bulgaria. We help you open an account and get a certificate for the migration service stating that it can be used to receive a pension."
The expert notes that often the success of the entire event, as well as how winding the path to it is, depends on subjective factors. "You can ideally collect a complete package of documents for a pensioner's residence permit, but the visa officer will make increased demands." Professional support minimizes the risk of delays and failures.
Let's take a closer look at some categories of residence permits.
Bulgarian residence permit for pensioners
Traditionally, this is one of the most popular types of residence permit in Bulgaria due to the accessibility and relative ease of the procedure. We emphasize that there is no type of residence permit more loyal to the welfare of the applicant in Bulgaria and in the EU as a whole. Another undeniable advantage is speed: it can take 4 to 6 months from the start of collecting documents to receiving the coveted card. At the same time, permanent life in Bulgaria begins immediately after obtaining a D visa and entering the country - there is no need to wait for the completion of all formalities.
The program is designed for pensioners. Moreover, for Bulgarian legislation, it does not matter on what basis you retired.: due to old age, seniority, or disability. The main thing is that the payment should be official and regular.
Together with the main applicant, can move : spouse, children under 18, dependent family members.
A residence permit is provided to a pensioner for a year with the possibility of annual renewal. After 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residence.
Basic requirements:
1. The very fact that you receive a pension. However, it is advisable that your pension is above the minimum Bulgarian pension (which, in turn, is close to the poverty line). For 2026, Easy-Visa experts recommend focusing on an amount of at least 350 euros in equivalent. If your pension is lower, the local authorities may doubt that you will be able to provide for yourself. However, in practice, the severity of the verification may vary from region to region.
2. The amount sufficient to stay for a year in your Bulgarian bank account. The recommended minimum for a visa is 6 minimum pensions, that is, 2,100 euros, but the expert recommends immediately putting in more than 4,000 euros. You will need a certificate from the bank about the remaining funds.
3. The presence of an address, that is, rented or own housing.
"Please note that since July 2025, after the adoption of amendments to the law on Foreigners, the authorities have been more strictly checking applicants for a residence permit. If earlier, in order to make sure that the applicant lives at the specified address, migration officers simply called the owner, now they come to the apartment indicated in the application," the expert clarifies Easy-Visa.
4. Medical insurance. It can be either Bulgarian or Russian, operating in Bulgaria (It is more reliable to make a Bulgarian one right away!).
5. Certificate of absence of criminal record.
What are the limitations of the program?
A ban on employment.Having obtained a residence permit as a pensioner, you have no right to work for a Bulgarian employer. However, it is allowed to work for a foreign company remotely or to open your own in Bulgaria and be a director there.
If you are moving with your family, your spouse can apply for a residence permit based on a "Family member of a pensioner". Unlike the main applicant, the family member receives the full right to employment.
Step-by-step instructions: how to get a residence permit for a pensioner
The process can be divided into two stages: obtaining a D visa (national long-term visa) in your country and then obtaining the residence permit card itself directly in Bulgaria.
Stage 1: Preparation and obtaining a D visa
1. Address (housing).You need a place that will be registered as your future address.
2. Bank account.Open a Bulgarian bank account. For citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, this is now the most difficult part, often requiring a personal visit or the help of intermediaries.
3. Medical insurance.Apply for a policy with a Bulgarian insurance company for a minimum of 6 months (for a visa) and 12 months (for a residence permit). Insurance amount: at least 30,000 euros.
4. Collecting documents.
○ International passport (valid for 18 months or more).
○ Statement and photo.
○ Certificate from the pension fund stating that you are a pensioner(translated and legalized).
○ Certificate of pension payments for the last 3 months (translated and legalized).
○ Certificate of absence of criminal record (translated and legalized, valid for 6 months).
○ An extract from a Bulgarian account confirming the availability of funds. The amount is calculated as the minimum pension * 6;(for visa D). It is better to invest a little more and immediately focus on the annual minimum (4,200 euros).
○ Confirmation of the residential address.
○ Receipt of payment of the consular fee.
5. Submission to the consulate.Sign up, submit the documents and wait for a decision (about 2 months).
«At all stages, starting from renting a house and preparing a package of documents, we help. Our employee will escort you to the consulate", " notes Sofia Defosse-Aksyutina.
Stage 2: Obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria
1. Entry.When the D visa is ready, you enter Bulgaria. You show this particular visa at the border.
2. Applying for a residence permit.During the validity period of the D visa (usually 6 months) you are submitting documents to the regional department of the migration service of the police. Completing the package of documents:
○ A copy of the D visa and the entry stamp.
○ A new lease agreement (for at least one year), if necessary, or proof of ownership.
○ New account statement (the amount should now be minimum pension * 12). In 2026, about 4,200 euros.
○ Insurance for a year.
○ Receipt of payment of the state fee.
3. Check.Police officers may come to you to check if you really live at the stated address.
4. Approval and state fees. Approval comes in about 2 weeks. After that, you pay for:
○ The state fee for the residence permit itself (500 leva / approximately 250 euros).
○ The fee for the production of the card (250 euros for urgent production in 3 days).
5. Biometrics. You come to take your fingerprints and take a photo.
6. Getting a card. You get a residence permit card. You can exhale and go celebrate in a cafe or by the sea.
Bulgarian residence permit for highly qualified specialists, or the EU Blue Card
This type of permit is intended for foreigners with higher education (or extensive experience in professions requiring qualifications) and an invitation to work in Bulgaria. In fact, this is the Bulgarian implementation of the pan-European Blue Card program.
The blue Card, or Blue Card, is both a residence permit and a work permit, explains the immigration consultant. "People of different professions move along it.": economists, financiers, marketers, programmers.
Basic requirements for the applicant:
1. An employment contract or job offer from a Bulgarian employing company.
2. Higher education: a diploma of higher education (bachelor's or master's degree) recognized in Bulgaria, or at least 5 years of work experience in the relevant specialty, and for managers and IT specialists at least 3 years during the last 7 years.
3. The required salary level:The annual gross salary should be at least 1.5 times the average annual salary in Bulgaria. This threshold is reviewed annually. At the beginning of 2026, it amounts to about 750 euros, meaning the applicant needs to receive at least 1,125 euros.
4. Medical insurance for 6 months. 5. Confirmation of financial viability. You will need a certificate of the remaining funds from the bank, you can use a Russian one. Immigration experts recommend putting the amount in the region of 7000 euros. 6. Certificate of absence of criminal record. Requirements for the employer:
1. The duration of the validity period.A residence permit is issued immediately for up to 5 years with the right to extend without having to leave the country. In the future, this length of service is counted towards obtaining Bulgarian permanent residence or a long-term residence permit in another EU country.
2. Work experience.The card entitles you to official employment in Bulgaria in the specialty specified in the permit, as well as to remote employment.
3. Mobility.The owner can travel on business trips to other EU countries (up to 90 days in each half-year). In addition, after 12 months of work in Bulgaria, it becomes possible to apply for a Blue Card in another EU country in a simplified manner while maintaining the accumulated length of service.
4. Protection upon dismissal.In case of job loss, the law gives time to find a new employer without having to leave Bulgaria immediately. Those who have worked for less than 24 months are given 3 months; for those who have worked for more than two years, this period is increased to 6 months. During this time, you can either find a new job or change the reason for your stay.
5. The speed and simplicity of the design. The D visa takes only 20 days to complete (in practice it may be faster), whereas for other reasons the wait may take up to 90 days. The application process takes only 2-2.5 weeks.
6. Together with my family.Family members of the main applicant (spouse and children) also receive a residence permit immediately for up to 5 years.
Step-by-step instructions: how to get a Blue Bulgarian Card
Stage 1. The employer's petition
The employer applies to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria to obtain a decision on hiring a foreign specialist.
Stage 2. Visa D
Within 20 days of receiving a positive decision, the candidate must apply for a long-term D visa at the Bulgarian Consulate in his country. The cost of the visa fee is 100 euros, the standard waiting period is 20 days (often faster).
Stage 3. Entry and application for a residence permit
After entering Bulgaria, the applicant has 7 days to apply to the Migration Service for a residence permit. The review takes 3 business days. After that, an application is submitted for the issuance of a personal plastic card - it takes from 3 to 30 days to produce it, depending on the chosen urgency.
At the time of applying for a Blue Card, a foreigner may already be in Bulgaria for a different reason - this is not an obstacle to changing their status.
Permanent residence in Bulgaria for large investors
This is a privileged program that allows the applicant to immediately obtain a permanent residence permit for 5 years, and after this period apply for a passport.
There are several levels of investments in companies and securities for obtaining permanent residence: from 511,000 to 3.07 million euros.
Let's remind you that there is a way for real estate investors. It involves the purchase of a residential or commercial property worth from 307,000 euros, but it implies a temporary rather than permanent residence permit.
Summary
The agency Easy-Visa accompanies at all stages of obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence and further - up topassport registration.
Note that in Bulgaria, unlike Italy, France, Poland, and Portugal, a second citizenship is not allowed, meaning that the original one is renounced. Exceptions are cases of naturalization by roots. "There are many ethnic Bulgarians living in Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova, and in some places entire villages have been preserved. We help such people to conduct archival research, collect documents and apply for a Bulgarian passport. In this case, you do not need to renounce your primary citizenship," explains Sofia Defosse-Aksyutina.
The Easy-Visa team works with various legalization programs in Bulgaria and beyond. Russian-speaking specialists will help you understand the legal intricacies and administrative procedures, including opening a bank account, registering a business, and buying or renting a home. Get professional advice right now!
Advertisement.Defosse-Aksyutina Sofya Valeryevna
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The article was prepared with the information support of the company Easy-Visa
For more information, please contact us directly.
