# 🇧🇬 Bulgaria — visa routes

> Verified visa and immigration data for Bulgaria from VisaPassage.
> Canonical page: https://visapassage.com/destinations/bulgaria

26 routes with deep coverage. Every entry below is checked against official sources and carries its own verification date. Statuses describe typical eligibility — they are never a promise of approval; individual applications require review.

## Short visits by passport

- **United States**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days
- **United Kingdom**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days
- **Germany**: Visa-free
- **India**: Visa required · apply before travel
- **Canada**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days
- **Australia**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days

Other passports: check https://visapassage.com/visa-checker for your specific passports.

## Visit

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ETIAS travel authorisation | Travel authorisation · typically eligible | 90 days | €7 | €19 | 4 days |
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- tourism | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €90 | €49 | 15 days |
| Bulgaria Short-Stay (Type C) Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €80 | — | 15 days |
| Airport transit visa (Type A) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €90 | €39 | 15 days |
| Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- business | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €90 | €49 | 15 days |
| Bulgaria Short-Stay (Type C) Business Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | €80 | — | 15 days |

- **Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) -- tourism** — Key documents: Completed application form, Passport, Passport photo, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation, Return / onward ticket, Proof of sufficient funds
- **Bulgaria Short-Stay (Type C) Visa** — Key documents: Visa application form, Passport, Passport photograph, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation, Proof of financial means, Travel itinerary / tickets · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mfa.bg
- **Bulgaria Short-Stay (Type C) Business Visa** — Key documents: Visa application form, Passport, Business invitation, Proof of employment / company registration, Travel medical insurance, Proof of accommodation and funds · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mfa.bg

## Study & Training

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| National long-stay visa (Type D) -- study | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | €200 | — |
| Bulgaria Student Residence Permit (Higher Education) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 30 days |

- **Bulgaria Student Residence Permit (Higher Education)** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Admission / enrolment letter, Proof of paid tuition, Proof of means of subsistence, Health insurance, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: up to 20 h/week · Study: Full enrolment at the admitting institution. · Residency after 5 years · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

## Work & Self-Employment

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria Digital Nomad Residence Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 45 days |
| Freelance (self-employment) Visa D + residence permit | Available | — | — | — | — |
| Bulgaria Self-Employment / Freelance Residence Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 60 days |
| StartUp Visa (High-Tech and/or Innovative Project Certificate) | Available | — | — | — | — |
| National long-stay visa (Type D) -- work | Consular visa · Conditional | — | — | €200 | — |
| Bulgaria Single Permit for Residence and Work | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 60 days |
| Bulgaria EU Blue Card | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 90 days |
| Bulgaria Seasonal Worker Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 270 days | €100 | — | 30 days |
| Bulgaria Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 60 days |

- **Bulgaria Digital Nomad Residence Permit** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Proof of remote work, Proof of income, Proof of accommodation, Health insurance, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Remote work for foreign clients/employers only; no access to the Bulgarian labour market. · Study: Incidental study permitted; formal enrolment may require status change. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family members may join via family reunification once the holder is registered. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mfa.bg
- **Freelance (self-employment) Visa D + residence permit** — Non-EU freelancers obtain a freelance work permit (detailed freelance activity plan required), then a Type D long-stay visa and a 1-year renewable residence permit, showing funds of at least the minimum wage (BGN 1,213/month in 2026) for 6-12 months. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: bulgarianexpert.com
- **Bulgaria Self-Employment / Freelance Residence Permit** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Freelance activity permit, Business plan, Proof of qualification and experience, Proof of means of subsistence, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Self-employed/freelance activity as authorised by the freelance permit. · Study: Incidental study permitted. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family reunification available. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg
- **StartUp Visa (High-Tech and/or Innovative Project Certificate)** — Ministry of Innovation and Growth issues a free certificate (decided in 30 days, valid 1 year) for high-tech/innovative projects, leading to a long-term D visa and residence permit; supporting evidence such as a patent, a BGN 100,000+ investment commitment or a Seal of Excellence is required. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: mig.government.bg
- **Bulgaria Single Permit for Residence and Work** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Employment contract, Labour-market access decision, Educational / professional qualifications, Proof of accommodation, Health insurance, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Work permitted for the specified employer and position only. · Study: Study permitted alongside work; formal enrolment may need status change. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family reunification available to the permit holder. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- **Bulgaria EU Blue Card** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Highly qualified work contract, Proof of high qualification, Health insurance, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Highly qualified work; job changes within the first period need approval. · Study: Study permitted alongside employment. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Facilitated, immediate family reunification with labour-market access for family. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- **Bulgaria Seasonal Worker Visa** — Key documents: Visa application form, Passport, Seasonal employment contract, Employer accommodation evidence, Labour-market authorisation, Travel/health insurance, Proof of funds · Rights: Work: Seasonal work only, in agriculture/forestry/fisheries or HORECA, for the authorised employer. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- **Bulgaria Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) Permit** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Proof of group relationship, Assignment letter and contract, Proof of prior employment, Health insurance, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Work only for the host group entity for the assignment period. · Study: Incidental study permitted. · Family: Family may join and may work subject to labour-market access. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

## Invest & Capital

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment (Investor Route) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €511 | — | 60 days |
| Prolonged Residence for Real Estate Owners | Available | — | — | — | — |
| Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment (golden passport scheme) | Not available | — | — | — | — |
| Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Company Investment (Job Creation) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €511 | — | 60 days |

- **Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Investment (Investor Route)** — Key documents: State fee payment, Passport, Proof of qualifying investment, Proof of accommodation, Proof of means of subsistence, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Permanent residents have free access to the labour market. · Study: Full access to education as a permanent resident. · Residency: Grants permanent residence directly; citizenship eligibility after 5 years of holding the investment. · Family: Family members may obtain residence; spouse and children need not reside to maintain status. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg
- **Prolonged Residence for Real Estate Owners** — Foreigners who invest at least BGN 600,000 (~€307,000) of new funds in Bulgarian real estate, paid through a Bulgarian bank, qualify for a prolonged (temporary) residence permit renewed annually. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: ilflaw.com
- **Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment (golden passport scheme)** — Parliament abolished investor citizenship on 24 March 2022, effective 5 April 2022, under EU pressure; only investor residence (no direct citizenship) remains. · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: euronews.com
- **Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Company Investment (Job Creation)** — Key documents: State fee payment, Passport, Company and investment documents, Proof of job creation, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Permanent residents have free labour-market access. · Study: Full access to education. · Residency: Grants permanent residence directly; citizenship eligibility after 5 years. · Family: Family members eligible for residence. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg

## Retire & Lifestyle

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria Pensioner / Retirement Residence Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 30 days |

- **Bulgaria Pensioner / Retirement Residence Permit** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Proof of pension income, Proof of means of subsistence, Health insurance, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Study: Study permitted on a personal basis. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family reunification available. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mfa.bg

## Family & Origin

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria Family Reunification Residence Permit | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 90 days |
| Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Bulgarian Origin | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €51 | — | 60 days |

- **Bulgaria Family Reunification Residence Permit** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Proof of family relationship, Sponsor's residence permit, Proof of accommodation, Proof of means of subsistence, Health insurance, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Labour-market access available after lawful residence (immediate for Blue Card families). · Study: Study permitted. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Covers spouse, minor children and dependent ascendants of the sponsor. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg
- **Bulgaria Permanent Residence by Bulgarian Origin** — Key documents: State fee payment, Passport, Birth certificate, Proof of accommodation, Proof of means of subsistence, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Permanent residents have free labour-market access. · Study: Full access to education. · Residency: Grants permanent residence directly; citizenship by descent under Art. 15 Citizenship Act. · Family: Spouse and minor children may obtain residence. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg

## Special Categories

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria Researcher Residence Permit (Hosting Agreement) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | €100 | — | 30 days |
| Bulgaria Long-Term Resident (EU) Status | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days |

- **Bulgaria Researcher Residence Permit (Hosting Agreement)** — Key documents: Type D visa application form, Passport, Hosting agreement, Proof of qualifications, Proof of means of subsistence, Health insurance, Proof of accommodation, Criminal record certificate · Rights: Work: Research activity under the hosting agreement; no separate work permit required. · Study: Research and incidental study permitted. · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family reunification available to researchers. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
- **Bulgaria Long-Term Resident (EU) Status** — Key documents: Current residence permit, Passport, Proof of 5 years' legal residence, Proof of stable means of subsistence, Health insurance, Proof of accommodation · Rights: Work: Near-equal treatment with nationals, including free labour-market access. · Study: Full access to education. · Residency: Already long-term/permanent status; citizenship by naturalisation thereafter. · Family: Family members may hold or derive residence. · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: mvr.bg

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Source: VisaPassage (https://visapassage.com/). Cite the canonical page above when referencing this data. Markdown index of all destinations: https://visapassage.com/destinations/llm.md.