Since the mid-90s, Bulgaria has firmly established itself in the ten most favorable countries for immigration among Russian speakers. The country's entry into the European Union only strengthened the position of the republic - immigration to Bulgaria has now become an excellent tool for European integration and obtaining EU citizenship. Bulgaria, with its warm climate and affordable real estate prices, is an excellent place for setting up a residence or an intermediate stage for moving / finding a job in a more successful European country.
Rights and obligations of persons immigrating to Bulgaria
Since the moment when the republic became a member of the EU, many Russians have wondered if it is possible to move to live in Bulgaria. This opened up many advantages: in accordance with the Constitution of Bulgaria, all foreigners permanently residing in the republic have the same rights as its citizens, with the exception of the rights that follow from Bulgarian citizenship.
So, immigrants who have received a permanent residence permit (primary residence permit) are entitled to:
- living in the republic for at least 12 months;
- employment in Bulgaria without additional permission, obtaining education in Bulgarian universities, teaching children in schools;
- obtaining medical insurance;
- doing business;
- the formation of pension savings, the use of other social rights.
Bulgaria is not a Schengen country, therefore non-Bulgarian immigrants will need a Schengen visa to visit other European Union countries (except Romania, Croatia and Cyprus). Please also note that emigration to Bulgaria from Belarus or another country creates a number of responsibilities for migrants, including:
- comply with Bulgarian legislation and honor the Constitution;
- take out compulsory medical insurance;
- pay taxes in Bulgaria, subject to tax residency;
- have their own insured home and livelihood without resorting to social security;
- have no criminal record at the time of filing an application for a primary residence permit.
Grounds for immigration to Bulgaria
Bulgarian legislation very specifically defines the list of grounds that allow one to immigrate to Bulgaria and obtain a primary legal status in the republic - a residence permit for a permanent resident (permission for a resident for a long-term stay).
In accordance with Part 1 of Art. 24 of the Law "On Foreigners in Bulgaria" (Law "For foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria"), the basis for obtaining a residence permit in the country may be, among other things:
- employment in the Bulgarian territory;
- carrying out commercial activities;
- moving to Bulgaria from Russia as a representative of a foreign commercial enterprise;
- the presence of children who are citizens of Bulgaria or other family members who are citizens of Bulgaria, or foreigners who are family members with a permanent residence permit;
- long-term treatment in a Bulgarian medical institution;
- work for foreign media in Bulgaria;
- the right to a pension in Bulgaria or another country;
- owning high-value real estate or 50% of a company that owns high-value real estate;
- investment in a Bulgarian commercial company.
Consider the most common grounds in more detail.
Immigration through business
Business migration is one of the most popular destinations for moving to the republic - the Bulgarian government is interested in attracting foreign capital. A business in Bulgaria, provided that at least 10 jobs will be created on its basis and Bulgarian citizens will be hired for them, gives the right to apply for a primary residence permit.
Registration procedures in the republic are simplified as much as possible: opening your own limited liability company (limited partnership) takes 3-10 days, the minimum authorized capital is from 2 leva (1 euro).
All a foreigner needs to register is a foreign passport.
The second option, how to go to Bulgaria through business, is to open a representative office of a foreign, for example, a Russian commercial company owned by an immigrant. Important conditions: registration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, submission of tax returns and documentation on the planned activities.
Immigration through employment
An equally common reason for obtaining a residence permit is work in Bulgaria. A residence permit can be obtained on condition that the foreigner, in accordance with the Law on Labor Migration and Mobility (Law for Labor Migration and Labor Mobility), has received a work permit from the Employment Agency (Zaetostta Agency).
Such a permit can be obtained at the request and invitation of a Bulgarian employer, provided that it is not possible to find a Bulgarian citizen with qualifications for the required vacancy. To obtain a permit, an employer must:
- conduct a labor market research and confirm the absence of suitable candidates from local residents;
- prove that during the last year the number of foreign workers did not exceed 20% of the average number of Bulgarian workers;
- provide no less favorable working conditions than for Bulgarians;
- prove that the foreigner has suitable special knowledge, professional skills and experience.
Having issued a proper work permit from a specific employer, a foreigner has the right to obtain a national visa of category D, enter Bulgaria on its basis and apply for a residence permit.
Immigration by investment
Investing in the Bulgarian economy is another reason for obtaining a residence permit. There are two most common investment instruments in the republic, and the first is real estate in Bulgaria.
The purchase of real estate gives the right to obtain a residence permit, provided that the value of the object is at least 600 thousand leva (300 thousand euros) per applicant.
At the same time, options for buying housing are allowed both directly by individuals and by companies. In the latter case, only the owner of a share of more than 50% of the authorized capital of the company that owns the real estate can apply for a residence permit.
The second investment option is an investment of at least 250 thousand leva (125 thousand euros) in an enterprise that will operate in an economically disadvantaged region of the republic within the meaning of the Law “On Encouraging Investments” (Law “For Nasrchavane on Investments”). This enterprise should create at least 5 jobs for Bulgarians. A residence permit is received only by the owner of a share in the authorized capital exceeding 50%.
Immigration through education
Studying in Bulgaria can also serve as the basis for obtaining a primary residence permit. In accordance with Art. 24c of the Law on Foreigners, a long-term residence permit for up to 1 year can be issued to foreigners who have an appropriate national visa and who are:
- full-time students at a Bulgarian university;
- students of secondary education institutions on exchange programs;
- foreign interns.
Most often, such a residence permit is requested by students of Bulgarian universities. Since the maximum period of validity of such a residence permit is no more than 1 year, the residence permit, based on the results of the transfer to the next course of study, must be renewed annually.
Initially, in order to obtain a residence permit, you must submit to the migration authorities an invitation from the university, proof of payment for the course, and also confirm the availability of funds for your own maintenance.
Immigration for retirees
Another unique program is immigration to Bulgaria for pensioners.
Local legislation allows issuing a residence permit to all foreign pensioners who are entitled to a Bulgarian or other pension and have sufficient funds to ensure their own existence.
There is no economic or kinship tie or approval from government agencies, the main condition is the availability of a sufficient amount of money.
Immigration takes place in two stages. At the first, the pensioner requests a national visa category D, confirms the place of residence, provides evidence of financial and social security, pension rights and enters the country.
Having already entered the country, a foreign pensioner requests a residence permit at the place of residence in Bulgaria. The package of documents is usually the same as for a visa.
The most important condition is the availability of financial and social security. Usually it is enough that the pension paid in the last 3 months is 400-500 euros / month. Plus a bank statement confirming the presence of 1-1.5 thousand euros on the account of each applicant.
Conclusion of marriage with a citizen of Bulgaria
Marriage with a citizen of Bulgaria is another ground that gives the right to live as a permanent resident. In accordance with Clause 18, Part 24 of the Law “On Foreigners in Bulgaria”, the residence permit can be applied for, among other things, by family members of a Bulgarian citizen and his descendants from abroad.
Spouses of Bulgarian citizens, according to Art. 2 of the law are also members of their family, so they can get a residence permit under the family reunification program. The presence of family relations must be documented - a marriage certificate. The place of registration of the marriage does not matter.
In addition to spouses, other relatives also have the right to family reunification, including children under the age of 21 and unmarried children of Bulgarian citizens, adult incapacitated children, parents in need of care or other relatives in exceptional circumstances.
Getting asylum
The Bulgarian Republic is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Status of Refugees, therefore it is obliged to provide asylum to everyone who needs it. Refugee status in Bulgaria, in accordance with the Law "On Asylum and Refugees" (Law "For Asylum and Refugees"), can be obtained by any foreigner due to justified persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, membership of a social group and on other grounds, if he is outside the state of nationality and cannot receive full protection from it. In addition to international protection based on persecution, the asylum granted gives the alien the right of residence.
Family immigration
Many people decide to emigrate to Bulgaria from Russia as a family. But this process usually happens in stages. Usually, for one reason or another, one of the family members receives a residence permit. Subsequently, other members may move under the reunification program.
For example, if a foreigner has a permanent or an unlimited residence permit, other members of his family are also entitled to receive a primary residence permit (clause 13, part 24 of the Law “On Foreigners”). Furthermore, in accordance with Art. 25b of the law, a long-term residence permit is also issued to family members of a foreigner who has received refugee or other humanitarian status.
Immigration procedure
The full cycle of immigration consists of going through several stages. Obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria is only the first stage of naturalization. Residence permit for a permanent resident, in accordance with Art. 23 of the Law "On Foreigners", issued for a maximum period of 1 year. Provided that the grounds for obtaining it remain, such a residence permit can be renewed annually, which a foreign citizen must regularly apply to the migration authorities.
After 5 years of such residence, you can get permanent residence in Bulgaria (certificate for permanent residence). According to clause 5 of part 25 of the law, the right to such permanent residence arises provided that during these 5 years the foreigner has legally resided in the Bulgarian territory and has not been absent from the republic for more than 30 months at the time of application.
A permanent residence permit is issued indefinitely and does not need to be extended.
Bulgarian citizenship is the final stage of immigration and naturalization. In accordance with the Law "On Citizenship" (Law "For Bulgarian Citizenship"), unconvicted adults have the right to receive it:
- who have lived under permanent residence for at least 5 years;
- know the Bulgarian language;
- have sufficient income;
- renounced their existing citizenship.
Immigration documents
The main thing that is needed to emigrate to Bulgaria is a properly completed package of documents. For each reason for applying for a residence permit, the set of documents will be different, but the standard one (both for a D visa and for a residence permit) will necessarily include:
- application (you can download a sample application for a residence permit here);
- international passport;
- two photos in 35x45 mm format;
- a medical insurance policy valid in the EU with a coverage of at least EUR 30,000;
- documents confirming the right to housing (lease / purchase agreement);
- proof of the availability of sufficient funds for their own security not lower than the subsistence level (for example, a bank statement);
- certificate of good conduct;
- for children - a birth certificate, notarized consent of the second parent.
In addition to them, documents confirming the basis for immigration will be required. For example, documents for family reunification in Bulgaria will also include marriage certificates, birth certificates, a copy of the permanent residence certificate of a family member residing in Bulgaria. In the case of employment, a work permit and an invitation from the employer are required.
Possible fees: consular fee for a visa 100 euros, a fee for a residence permit 250 euros + related costs up to 1 thousand euros.
Can Immigration Be Denied
Everyone decides for himself whether to move to Bulgaria from Russia. Moreover, in 2021, the reason for refusing to issue a residence permit may be:
- submission of an incomplete package or forged, invalid documents;
- lack of grounds for issuing a residence permit;
- the presence of a criminal record;
- violation of the migration legislation of the European Union;
- refusal of a residence permit from another EU country;
- knowingly providing false information.
Russian diaspora in Bulgaria
Russian emigrants in Bulgaria form a relatively small but very active diaspora - about 10 thousand people, which is the largest national community in Bulgaria. They live mainly in large cities such as Sofia, Burgas and Varna.
Thanks to common cultural traditions and history, there is a benevolent attitude towards representatives of the Russian diaspora on the part of local residents, a negative attitude was recorded by no more than 3% of Bulgarians.
Several Russian organizations operate in large cities, for example:
- Balkan Organization of Russian Compatriots;
- Coordinating Council of Organizations of Russian Citizens in Bulgaria;
- Russian Academic Union in Bulgaria;
- "Russian community" and some others.
There are also schools where Russian is taught. There is a Russian-language school only at the Russian Embassy.
Russian emigrants to the republic are attracted by the mild southern climate, the presence of many seaside resorts and reasonable prices for real estate: a decent 3-room apartment in a new building can be bought for 50 thousand euros, moreover, on a mortgage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let us summarize the main pros and cons of emigration to Bulgaria. Among the main advantages are the many programs and grounds for immigration, cheap real estate and relatively low prices even by Russian standards.But, despite the EU membership, the country is still not included in the Schengen zone, and therefore the Bulgarian residence permit cannot provide visa-free access to the EU countries yet.
