Southeast Europe · Immigration

Bulgaria

90 immigration routes

Bulgaria sits in Southeast Europe. Its immigration system runs 90 distinct routes — led by work, family and investment, each set out in official law. 86 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

13 further routes are recorded for Bulgaria but not shown here — their details are still under review.

Immigration routes
90across 16 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
86 of 90cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work14 of the 90 routes — see them under Work below
Region
Southeast Europe
Capital
Sofia
Population
6,433,302
Official language
Bulgarian
Currency
EUR
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 90 routes, grouped by purpose — 86 of 90 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

14 routes

For a third-country national undertaking a structured traineeship under an employment contract with a Bulgarian employer.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For highly qualified employment in Bulgaria under an eligible contract and salary level.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For an EU Blue Card holder moving to highly qualified employment in Bulgaria after qualifying residence in another Member State.

Eligibility: 1Report facts: 9
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

For a specialist whose work or residence in Bulgaria is authorised by an applicable international agreement.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 10
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 3 sources

For an ICT permit holder from another Member State working temporarily at a Bulgarian group entity for up to 90 days in 180.

Eligibility: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official source of the governing body: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Investment

11 routes

Business & self-employment

4 routes

For a representative of a foreign company whose Bulgarian commercial representation is registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 5Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a non-EU founder approved to develop a high-tech or innovative project through a Bulgarian company.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 5Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: mig.government.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 6 sources

Talent & merit

5 routes

For a researcher hosted by a registered Bulgarian research organisation under a research agreement.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 2Report facts: 10
Official government source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-08-03 · 4 sources

Study

3 routes

For a student holding residence in another Member State and completing part of a multi-state programme or inter-institutional agreement in Bulgaria.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official source of the governing body: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Family

12 routes

Residence for the parent or other direct ascendant of the Bulgarian or spouse of a Bulgarian citizen.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 7Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a qualifying family resident retaining an individual residence right after divorce, death or exceptional family circumstances.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 7
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

Independent means

1 route

For a person entitled to a Bulgarian or foreign pension who has sufficient resources for residence in Bulgaria.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 10
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Residence-based status

11 routes

For a foreigner with five years of legal continuous residence in Bulgaria and no more than 30 months of absence.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Report facts: 8
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

Free movement

8 routes

For an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who accompanies or joins another EU free-movement citizen in Bulgaria as a family member.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 2Report facts: 5
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Registered residence in Bulgaria for an EU, EEA or Swiss self-employed person.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Registered residence in Bulgaria for an EU, EEA or Swiss insured and self-funded person.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Registered residence in Bulgaria for an EU, EEA or Swiss student or vocational trainee.

Eligibility: 3Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 5
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Registered residence in Bulgaria for an EU, EEA or Swiss worker.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 4Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Cultural, religious & volunteer

3 routes

For a third-country national undertaking youth volunteering through the European Voluntary Service with a Bulgarian host organisation.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 14
Official government source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a foreign religious servant invited by the central management of a registered religion in Bulgaria.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 11
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a foreigner authorised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice to carry out qualifying non-profit activity.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 11
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Short stay & visit

5 routes

Humanitarian protection

1 of 5 source-cited
5 routes

For a person in Bulgaria who cannot return to their country because of persecution or other serious threats to life or freedom.

— Secondary source — not the enacting authority · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For an international-protection applicant granted Bulgarian humanitarian status because the refugee test is not met but serious-harm protection applies.

— Secondary source — not the enacting authority · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreigner granted the distinct constitutional asylum status by the competent Bulgarian state authority.

Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

For an international-protection applicant recognised as a refugee by the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees.

— Secondary source — not the enacting authority · checked 2026-07-26

Ancestry & return

2 routes

Medical treatment

1 route

Transit

2 routes

For a traveller subject to an airport-transit visa requirement who remains in the international transit area.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26

For a traveller entering the Schengen territory through Bulgaria solely to continue to another destination.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26

Other & special

3 routes

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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