Bulgaria residence by investment

Discover travel and business opportunities

Calculate the cost

From €310,000

Investment size

1 year residence

To exceed every year

Up to 12 months

Processing time

Schengen area

Without visa

Bulgaria residence permit

Bulgaria offers one of Europe's most accessible residency programs, combining EU benefits with affordable living costs. The country provides multiple pathways to legal residence, including real estate investment, business formation, or financial deposits. Successful applicants gain the right to live, work, and study in Bulgaria while enjoying visa-free travel across the Schengen Area.

The program stands out for its straightforward requirements and fast processing times. Unlike many Western European countries, Bulgaria maintains a flat 10% tax rate for both personal and corporate income, making it particularly attractive for entrepreneurs and investors. The residency permit is initially valid for one year and can be renewed annually, with the option to apply for permanent residency after five continuous years of legal stay.

Real Estate Market Overview

Property investment represents the most popular route to Bulgarian residency. The real estate market offers excellent value compared to other EU destinations, with prices varying significantly between urban centers and rural areas. In the capital Sofia, modern apartments in desirable neighborhoods remain affordable by European standards. Coastal cities along the Black Sea provide attractive options for those seeking vacation homes or rental properties, while mountain resorts offer year-round tourism potential.

The minimum investment threshold for residency purposes is reasonable, especially when considering Bulgaria's low cost of living. Purchasing property not only secures residency rights but also represents a tangible asset in a market with steady appreciation potential. Foreign buyers enjoy nearly the same property rights as Bulgarian citizens, with straightforward purchase procedures and transparent ownership registration.

Capital

Sofia

Population

6,437,360

Official language

Bulgarian

Currency

Lev

Timezone

UTC+2, in summer UTC+3

The country's area

110939 sq. km

Major Religion

Christianity

What does a Bulgaria residence permit gives?

Visa-free

Visa-free travel in the Schengen area.

Tax rates

Attractive tax system (one of the lowest personal and corporate tax rates in the EU).

Low business cost

Low business costs where the applicant intends to benefit from the residence rights (e.g., a corporate income tax of 10%), low cost of living.

Low cost of living

Low daily living expenses make Bulgaria an attractive choice for obtaining a residence permit — allowing you to maintain a high standard of comfort at a reasonable cost.

Flexible renewal terms

The Bulgarian residence permit can be renewed. The key requirement is to continue meeting the eligibility criteria. This provides investors with stability and the opportunity for long-term stay in the country without the need to change their status.

Path to permanent residency

After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency. To qualify, you must have spent at least 30 months out of the 5-year period physically residing in Bulgaria.

Path to сitizenship

After holding permanent residency for 5 years, you become eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship, provided all legal requirements are met.

Should you have any questions, or if you would like a detailed breakdown of the exact costs for your family, kindly contact us and we will be delighted to help you.

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Visa-free countries with Bulgarian residence permit

Visa-free entry to the countries of the Schengen area

Belgium

Hungary

Germany

Greece

Croatia

Denmark

Spain

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Slovakia

Slovenia

Finland

France

Czech Republic

Sweden

Estonia

Bulgaria

Ireland

Cyprus

Romania

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Switzerland

Tax regime of Bulgaria

Bulgaria boasts one of the lowest tax regimes in the European Union, making it a prime destination for businesses and individuals. Key features include:

Tax Rates

Income Tax: A flat rate of 10% for both individuals and corporations, significantly below the EU average of 20–30%.
VAT: Standard rate of 20%, aligning with the EU average of ~21%.

Tax Residency

Individuals qualify as tax residents if they:
Hold a permanent address in Bulgaria.
Reside in the country for over 183 days within a calendar year.
Are posted abroad by Bulgarian entities (e.g., employees on international assignments).

Tax Year & Deadlines

The tax year follows the calendar year (January 1 – December 31).
Corporate tax returns must be filed by March 31 of the following year.

Double Taxation Treaties (DTTs)

Bulgaria has established double taxation treaties with over 65 countries, preventing dual taxation on income and fostering international business. This network enhances cross-border investment and trade by simplifying fiscal obligations. Key treaty partners include:

Europe: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, UK, Ukraine. Asia: China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, UAE, Vietnam. Americas: Canada, United States. Africa: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa. Other: Australia, New Zealand, Russia.

Don’t just guess. Get the best advice from one of our experts

Whether you need tax advice to prepare for a move abroad, to buy property or even retire, One World Migration can help. Consults upfront can help avoid costly mistakes and stress later.

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Business set up

Starting and running a business in Bulgaria is a straightforward and cost-effective process for foreign investors. The country offers attractive conditions, including a low corporate tax rate of 10%, access to the European Union market, and a stable economic and legal environment. Company registration takes only a few days and can be completed with minimal costs. Foreign nationals are allowed to be founders and managers of Bulgarian companies.

First step

Collecting Company documents

Get a consultation for free

Second step

Duties are payable to the local authorities

Third step

Registration in the Bulgarian Trade Register

Fourth step

Receiving Incorporation Certificate.

Fifth step

Opening of a corporate bank account

Investment in several types of funds for permanent residency

from €500,000

Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), focused on Bulgarian markets.

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Buying a real estate property for a 1-year residence permit

from €310,000

The property must be held directly by the person applying for a resident permit (applicant). Because of restrictions on the ownership of land by non-European nationals, this option generally requires buying or otherwise owning an apartment, flat, house or another building.

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Post-immigration services

Apart from company registration, opening a bank account for an individual,opening a bank account for a company, there are other post-immigration services available, as following:

Company registration

Company registration/incorporation (local and offshore companies)

Banking assistance

Banking assistance (local and offshore accounts)

Real estate services

Exclusive real estate services

Driving license

Getting a driver's license

Requirements for applicants

Main appliciant

Pre-approval process

Go through the pre-approval process (exceptions apply)

Find out my chances

Our successful cases

Testimonials from satisfied clients

I thank One World Migration for the opportunity to move to Turkey with their help. I looked to relocate my company to be closer to my European partners and suppliers from the Middle East.

BONGANI DLAMINI

I first came to Portugal as a tourist 3 years ago. Having assessed the situation and got acquainted with this country, I decided that I wanted to stay here to live. Thanks to the efforts of One World Migration, this became possible.

LANING SUN

The decisive factor for me in my decision to obtain Grenadian citizenship was the possibility of a visa-free visit to Europe, where my husband and I love to come both on business trips and on vacation. Thank you One World Migration!

SUNITA SINGH

I have to thank OneWorld Immigration and their customer mentality for the Grenada citizenship. They were able to prepare all the necessary documents in the shortest possible time and without undue worry and accompanied us throughout the entire process.

Yulia Pavlova

Frequently Asked Questions

About obtaining Bulgarian residence

Who is eligible for Bulgaria PR?

The spouse of the investor will be eligible for permanent residence after the investor has been granted his/hers. A spouse would need to have held permanent residence for 5 years and the investor should have been granted their citizenship before being eligible to apply for citizenship. Children of any age can benefit from the process and apply for citizenship immediately after the investor obtained his/her.

Are there any nationality restrictions in obtaining Bulgarian residence permit?

Will Bulgarian residence and passport allow me the access to Schengen zone?

What is PR’s validity?

Obtain Bulgaria Residency Through Investment – Your Path to Freedom and Opportunity

Fill out the form, and our specialists will contact you to discuss the Bulgarian residence permit program. We offer tailored solutions to help you achieve your goals and unlock new opportunities.

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