Residence permit in Bulgaria for a pensioner
Babynina Galina asks:
Hello. I have a permanent residence permit in Estonia. Is it possible, having a good pension, for a Russian citizen to move to the Czech Republic or Bulgaria and get a residence permit?
Expert answers (1)
(Invest Cafe)
Yes, a Russian citizen with permanent residence in Estonia and a good pension can move to the Czech Republic or Bulgaria and apply for a residence permit, but the conditions and requirements in these two countries differ significantly. Below is a detailed analysis of each country.
🇧🇬 Residence permit in Bulgaria for pensioners
Bulgaria is one of the few EU countries that offers an official residence permit for pensions for citizens of third countries, including Russia.
✅ Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for pensioners:
Age — over 55 years old;
A documented pension received from Russia or another country;
Sufficient income — for 2025 it is about 2,000 leva per month (about 1,000 euros), but preferably more;
Housing in Bulgaria — property or long-term lease (at least 1 year);
Medical insurance valid in Bulgaria;
Certificate of non-criminal record.
📋 The order of registration:
Submission of documents to the Bulgarian Consulate in Estonia (or in another EU country);
Obtaining a D visa;
Upon arrival, apply for a residence permit at the Bulgarian Migration Service;
The review period is 1-2 months;
The first residence permit is given for 1 year, then it can be extended.
🟢 Advantages:
A simple procedure;
No language proficiency requirements;
You can get a residence permit even without buying real estate;
An easy way to permanent residence in 5 years.
🇨🇿 Residence permit in the Czech Republic for pensioners
The Czech Republic does not have a separate category of residence permit for pensioners, like Bulgaria. However, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for other reasons, in particular, through sufficient financial support (self—sufficiency / residentí úč ely).
✅ An option is possible — "Residence permit for the purpose of stay: accommodation"
A residence permit is often called for "self-sufficient" persons (without employment).
Requirements:
Proof of income and/or savings — at least about 110,000-120,000 CZK (~4,500-5,000 euros) in the account + monthly income from pension;
Proof of housing in the Czech Republic — ownership or rent;
Medical insurance policy covering the entire period of stay;
Motivation letter (why do you want to live in the Czech Republic);
Certificate of non-criminal record;
Passport and translations of all documents into Czech.
The order of registration:
Submission of documents to the Czech Consulate at the place of legal residence — in your case in Estonia;
Obtaining a long-term D visa;
After entering the Czech Republic, apply for a long—term residence permit;
The review period is from 60 to 120 days.
🔴 Cons:
A more bureaucratically complex process;
Translations and apostilles are needed;
Unofficially, retirement status is not considered a basis — it is issued precisely as living at one's own expense.
📌 Output
If you want to get a residence permit easier and faster, then Bulgaria is the best choice for pensioners: everything is official, legal, and a well—established procedure.
If the Czech Republic is more attractive for personal reasons, a residence permit is possible, but more documents are needed, and there is no "pension" category as such.
🇧🇬 Residence permit in Bulgaria for pensioners
Bulgaria is one of the few EU countries that offers an official residence permit for pensions for citizens of third countries, including Russia.
✅ Conditions for obtaining a residence permit for pensioners:
Age — over 55 years old;
A documented pension received from Russia or another country;
Sufficient income — for 2025 it is about 2,000 leva per month (about 1,000 euros), but preferably more;
Housing in Bulgaria — property or long-term lease (at least 1 year);
Medical insurance valid in Bulgaria;
Certificate of non-criminal record.
📋 The order of registration:
Submission of documents to the Bulgarian Consulate in Estonia (or in another EU country);
Obtaining a D visa;
Upon arrival, apply for a residence permit at the Bulgarian Migration Service;
The review period is 1-2 months;
The first residence permit is given for 1 year, then it can be extended.
🟢 Advantages:
A simple procedure;
No language proficiency requirements;
You can get a residence permit even without buying real estate;
An easy way to permanent residence in 5 years.
🇨🇿 Residence permit in the Czech Republic for pensioners
The Czech Republic does not have a separate category of residence permit for pensioners, like Bulgaria. However, it is possible to obtain a residence permit for other reasons, in particular, through sufficient financial support (self—sufficiency / residentí úč ely).
✅ An option is possible — "Residence permit for the purpose of stay: accommodation"
A residence permit is often called for "self-sufficient" persons (without employment).
Requirements:
Proof of income and/or savings — at least about 110,000-120,000 CZK (~4,500-5,000 euros) in the account + monthly income from pension;
Proof of housing in the Czech Republic — ownership or rent;
Medical insurance policy covering the entire period of stay;
Motivation letter (why do you want to live in the Czech Republic);
Certificate of non-criminal record;
Passport and translations of all documents into Czech.
The order of registration:
Submission of documents to the Czech Consulate at the place of legal residence — in your case in Estonia;
Obtaining a long-term D visa;
After entering the Czech Republic, apply for a long—term residence permit;
The review period is from 60 to 120 days.
🔴 Cons:
A more bureaucratically complex process;
Translations and apostilles are needed;
Unofficially, retirement status is not considered a basis — it is issued precisely as living at one's own expense.
📌 Output
If you want to get a residence permit easier and faster, then Bulgaria is the best choice for pensioners: everything is official, legal, and a well—established procedure.
If the Czech Republic is more attractive for personal reasons, a residence permit is possible, but more documents are needed, and there is no "pension" category as such.
13.05.2025
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