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Bulgaria · Business & self-employment

Bulgaria Startup Visa Residence

19 facts quoted from the official source

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

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
14
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

14 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Bulgarian Company Equity Share Min PercentAfter the Type D visa, the founder must own at least 50 percent of the Bulgarian company.via mvr.bg
  • Business Plan RequiredA business plan and project presentation must support the certificate application.
  • Character and securityAn adult initial applicant must provide the applicable criminal-record certificate.via mfa.bg
  • Electronic Application RequiredFrom 2 January 2026 the certificate application is filed electronically through ISUN 2020.
  • Eligibility summaryThe Ministry of Innovation and Growth publishes the active Startup Visa certificate and residence pathway.
  • Financial meansThe applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources.via mfa.bg
  • High Tech Or Innovative Project RequiredThe project must be high-tech or innovative.
  • Migration Directorate Application RequiredThe residence application is handled by the Ministry of Interior Migration Directorate or its regional unit.via home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
  • Route Specific Evidence RequiredDocuments proving the particular statutory residence ground must be supplied.
  • Startup Certificate RequiredA Startup Visa certificate from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth is required.
  • Visa Type D Required ConditionallyA Type D visa is required before the initial residence application unless a stated legal exception or qualifying in-country status applies.via mfa.bg
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • AccommodationEvidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.via mfa.bg
  • Health insuranceMedical insurance valid for the stay is required.via mfa.bg
  • Passport or travel documentA valid passport or accepted travel document is required.via mfa.bg
Also stated by the source
  • Official source basisThe Ministry of Innovation and Growth publishes the active Startup Visa certificate and residence pathway.
  • Report summaryThe Ministry of Innovation and Growth publishes the active Startup Visa certificate and residence pathway.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Visa D Standard Fee EurThe standard Article 15(1) Type D visa fee is EUR 100, subject to published exemptions.via mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
  • Certificate Validity MonthsThe certificate is valid for one year.
Processing time
1 proven from the official source.
  • Certificate Processing DaysThe Ministry publishes a 30-day certificate procedure.
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Bulgaria route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Bulgaria?
The official source states: For a non-EU founder approved to develop a high-tech or innovative project through a Bulgarian company.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Medical insurance valid for the stay is required.
04Do I need to show accommodation in Bulgaria?
The official source states: Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official mig.government.bg page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 19 points against the official source; 19 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source mig.government.bgLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Bulgaria government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
Same category, same country

Other business & self-employment routes to Bulgaria

3 other business & self-employment routes to Bulgaria.

Commercial Activity Creating Ten Bulgarian JobsFreelance or Self-Employed Activity PermitRepresentative of a Foreign Commercial Company
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