The proximity of the territories, the similarity of the linguistic environment and an understandable mentality explain the desire of immigrants from the post-Soviet space to settle in Bulgaria. This country has a vast Russian diaspora, which simplifies the adaptation process even for those who miss their homeland a lot. To go all the way of legalization without unnecessary difficulties, you must clearly understand how to get permanent residence in Bulgaria.
Why you should consider a Bulgarian permanent residence
The Republic of Bulgaria is the closest candidate for accession to the Schengen area. This will open up great opportunities for those who live in the country on a permanent basis. This is what permanent residence in Bulgaria gives:
- the opportunity to live, study and work on the territory of the European Union (Bulgaria has been in the EU since 2007);
- low tax rates for businesses;
- affordable prices for basic goods and services;
- quick adaptation due to the ease of learning the Bulgarian language, the proximity of the mentality of Bulgarians and Russians;
- when opening your own business - the opportunity to cooperate with companies in other European countries on the basis of the EU free trade agreement;
- the opportunity to take part in social and state programs;
- simplified procedure for issuing American and Schengen visas, the ability to visit Croatia and Cyprus without a visa permit;
- Permanent residence in Bulgaria for Russian pensioners makes it possible to become a citizen of Bulgaria under a simplified scheme within the framework of the pension program.
Permanent residence permits equalize the rights of migrants and local residents. The restrictions will only apply to participation in elections and the ability to work in government agencies.
Requirements for candidates
To obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria, a Russian citizen must meet several requirements:
- reside legally in the Bulgarian territory for at least 5 years in the status of a residence permit. The total time of absence during this period should not exceed two and a half years;
- comply with local laws and have no criminal record;
- the presence of a place of residence, own or rented (for example, rent or buy an apartment with the help of the BolgarskiyDom agency);
- have a legal source of income that allows you to support the main candidate and persons aimed at immigration as members of his family.
Moving from Russia to Bulgaria for permanent residence is possible on the following grounds:
- Bulgarian origin;
- conclusion of a marriage union and cohabitation with a citizen of Bulgaria;
- emigration of an unmarried minor whose parents are citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria or foreigners living in it on the basis of permanent residence;
- relocation of the parents of Bulgarian citizens, provided that the latter support them on conditions determined by legislation;
- investing over 1 million leva or increasing equity capital by purchasing shares of companies traded on the Bulgarian market;
- you can leave to live in Bulgaria on the basis of the right to co-ownership of a part of a Bulgarian enterprise, more than 50% of which is owned by the state or municipal authorities;
- ownership of intellectual property in the state, objects of copyright, patents, inventions, trade marks;
- ownership of concession agreements;
- investment in a credit institution for a period of more than six months (the institution must be licensed);
- investing over 6 million leva in a trading company on the Bulgarian market, whose shares are not in demand;
- Permanent residence in Bulgaria for Russians is also possible upon birth on the territory of the state, if for some reason citizenship has been lost and the applicant wants to restore it;
- relationship with a Bulgarian citizen;
- the presence of a pension that exceeds the minimum threshold for pension payments in the country (207 levs / 106 euros).
The purchase of real estate on the territory of the state will not be the basis for the right to permanent residence. Own housing worth from 300 thousand euros makes it possible to obtain an annual multivisa, which allows you to stay in the country for 90 days during each half of the year, with the possibility of extending for another three years, in the future - for obtaining a residence permit under the Golden Visa program.
In what ways can you get permanent residence?
There may be several ways to move to Bulgaria for permanent residence from Russia, Ukraine or Kazakhstan. The easiest of all will be for those whose income level is above average.
The Bulgarian economy is developing and investors are welcomed in the republic. By investing in a Bulgarian company and the securities market, one can count on simplifying the legalization procedure.
Other methods include:
- Business creation - due to the lack of jobs, local authorities in every possible way encourage those who are ready to create them. To justify the right to permanent residence, you need to provide 10 citizens of the country with work and pay taxes on time.
- Education - by itself, a diploma from a Bulgarian university does not give the right to obtain a residency status, but a graduate can find a job in a local company, thereby gaining the opportunity of long-term residence for the duration of an employment contract.
- Work - there are many chances for those whose profession is in demand in the country or who have managed to find a permanent job with a long-term contract.
- Pension Migration Program - enables a wealthy pensioner to move to live in Bulgaria. The reason for retirement does not matter. The main thing is that the candidate has at least 12 minimum Bulgarian pensions on his account (2,484 levs or 1,270 euros). From 1 July 2021, the minimum pension will be increased to 220 levs / 112 euros.
- Family reunification - this option is suitable for the relatives of a migrant who legally resides in Bulgarian territory, has sufficient income to support his family and has a permanent place of residence.
How to move to permanent residence
The best way to start the moving process is to get to know the country. This will allow you to draw a clear line between the experience of a tourist visit and the experience of a resident's life. The best time to plunge into the real Bulgarian life is from November to March, that is, outside the tourist season.
Anyone who is thinking about how to apply for permanent residence in Bulgaria begins by requesting a visa category D (national). It provides the right to long-term residence in the country on one of the above grounds.
Then the process looks like this:
- Entry into the country on the basis of a national visa permit (no later than one month from the date of its issue).
- Submission of an application for a residence permit.
- Annual extension of the residence permit.
- Residence on the territory of the state on the basis of a residence permit for at least 5 years.
- Submission of an application for permanent residence.
- Resident status for another 5 years.
- Request for Bulgarian citizenship.
In February 2021, an additional status was introduced in Bulgaria - long-term residence - DMZ. This need arose in order to bring the country's migration legislation in line with EU legislation.
The difference between DMZ and permanent residence in Bulgaria is as follows:
- The period of absence in the country for it should not exceed 10 months (for permanent residence - 30 months).
- It is issued for 5 years (permanent residence is valid indefinitely).
- Registration cost - 110 levs (permanent residence - 1000 levs).
Package of documents
The list of required papers will depend on the reason for emigration. To begin with, here is a basic list that must be prepared for each candidate in 2021:
- Statement.
- A receipt confirming the payment of the state fee for the examination of the application (10 levs / 5 euros).
- International passport with a copy of the main spread and pages with a stamp on entry into the country and a visa.
- Confirmation of the availability of housing in the Bulgarian territory.
- An account statement confirming the availability of funds sufficient to lead a decent lifestyle or confirmation of a legal source of income.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
Those who move with children need to know what is needed for permanent residence in Bulgaria in this case:
- Copy and original of the child's birth certificate.
- International passport.
- Statement.
- Medical insurance, issued for the entire period of stay in the state.
- The consent of the second parent, certified by a notary, if the family does not move in full.
- A letter from both parents expressing their consent to grant the child a Bulgarian permanent residence.
- Confirmation of housing availability.
- Financial guarantees.
Documents for permanent residence in Bulgaria for pensioners, in addition to the main package, must contain:
- Certificate on the amount of pension payments for the last 3 months.
- Account number in a Bulgarian bank and confirmation of the availability of a sufficient amount on it.
- Evidence of housing.
In addition to this list, it is necessary to attach documents confirming the basis for the request for resident status:
- when buying bonds - a certificate from the Central Securities Depository, and for the use of intellectual property - a document from the Patent Office;
- when investing in a Bulgarian company - the EIC of the company (a unified identification code of a Bulgarian legal entity) and a bank statement on crediting the required amount to the account;
- in the presence of Bulgarian roots - a certificate issued at birth, or a certificate from the State Agency of Bulgarians abroad.
All papers drawn up in a foreign language must be translated into Bulgarian and certified by a notary. An application is submitted to the Migration Department at the place of registration. These institutions are in every regional center of the country.
You must apply for permanent residence no later than 3 months before the expiration of the permitted stay in the country.
After the applicant receives a notification about the assignment of permanent residence status to him, you must pay another fee - for the provision of this service (1000 levs / 511 euros).
The procedure ends with the assignment of a single civilian number to the migrant - EGN. With this number, you need to contact the Migration Department for the production of a personal card, which will indicate all the personal data of the applicant, including the EGN and the basis for migration.
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Where is the best place to live
Where it is better to buy real estate in Bulgaria for permanent residence, it is impossible to say unequivocally. Everyone chooses for himself the option that suits his needs.
Most of all positive reviews can be heard from those who settled in Varna, Burgas, Sofia.
The Bulgarian capital is a suitable option for businessmen and families who plan to give a good education to their children. But Burgas is more suitable for those who are interested in work. For a comfortable quiet life, this is not the best choice.
A measured and calm life awaits migrants in Varna and Plovdiv. In general, the further the place of residence is from large cities, the more rural lifestyle will be.
Which cities in Bulgaria Russian pensioners move to is due to their desire to live closer to the sea. Most often these are Burgas, Dobrich and Varna. Dobrich is in the lead in the list, as it is located 40 km from the coast and at an altitude of 225 m above sea level. This means that in winter the climate here is not so humid, and there are fewer tourists.
How pensioners live in Bulgaria
Those who have retired and moved to this state will hardly have to count on a rich and comfortable life in Bulgaria. Today the minimum pension in Bulgaria is 207 levs (106 euros or almost 7800 rubles). From July 2021, the authorities promise to raise the pension to 220 leva (112 euros or 8270 rubles).
Most of the Bulgarian pensioners receive such a level of payments, and it is easy to assume that it will be very difficult for an emigrant to live on this money, even taking into account the relatively low (when compared with the rest of Europe) cost of the food basket and housing.
Russian pensioners manage to survive in Bulgaria due to the pension payments they receive at home and passive income from renting out real estate.
Outcomes
To emigrate to Bulgaria for permanent residence, you need to secure a basis, which must be documented. This can be work under a long-term contract, investment in the local economy, Bulgarian origin, etc.
The candidate must enter the country on a national visa and live in the Bulgarian territory for at least 5 years with a residence permit. Buying real estate does not entitle you to simplified legalization.
