Living in Bulgaria with a German residence permit

Question

Living in Bulgaria with a German residence permit

Sergey Antonov asks:

Russian citizenship, I live in Germany (residence permit, retired). Can I live in Bulgaria permanently or for a long time by buying a house or apartment?

08.09.2025

BULGARIA. Consultation

Visa, residence permit, citizenship

Expert answers (4)

NATALIIA OPENYSHEVA (Royal Properties) · Answer 1 · 2026-03-05T13:51

You can apply for a Bulgarian residence permit on the basis of a "Secured pensioner" and permanently reside in Bulgaria, if this issue is still relevant to you.

Alla Akhayan (Yavlena) · Answer 2 · 2025-09-09T10:18

Yes, you can contact the Migration Service of the Republic of Bulgaria for more detailed information.

Daniela Yordanova (Yavlena) · Answer 3 · 2025-09-09T09:08

If a pensioner from Russia wants to live in Bulgaria permanently, then buying a house or apartment alone is not enough. Real estate helps, but you need to get a residence permit for legal residence.

First, the pensioner applies for a D visa at the Bulgarian Consulate. To do this, you need a passport, a certificate of pension and income, proof of funds in the account, documents for housing (property or rent) and medical insurance. With this visa, you can enter Bulgaria and apply to the migration service there.

A long-stay permit is being issued in Bulgaria. It is usually given for one year, and then extended every year while maintaining the conditions: pension, housing and insurance.

After five years of residence in the country, such a permit gives the right to apply for permanent residence (permanent residence). This status already eliminates the need for an annual renewal.

Thus, buying an apartment or a house in Bulgaria makes the procedure easier, but retirement income, insurance and compliance with migration rules are of key importance.

Natalia Zavalishina (Distant Property) · Answer 4 · 2025-09-09T05:23

Good afternoon. As a rule, for permanent residence, you still need a residence permit/permanent residence in Bulgaria, even for EU citizens. This is if you plan to transfer your pension to Bulgaria, use medical care, etc. If you just want to buy a property and visit it periodically, then you can do without a residence permit/permanent residence in Bulgaria.