Bulgaria
The ideal gateway into the European economy and way of life, Bulgaria is diverse, culturally rich, and perfectly placed for working and travelling in and around the continent.
WHY CHOOSE BULGARIA?
As one of the youngest EU member states, Bulgaria boasts a rich and diverse culture, temperate climate, and ideal location in Southeast Europe — and the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria helps get you there faster.
Benefits for citizens:
- Unrestricted right to live, work and study in Europe;
- Right to own land in a EU country.
- Visa free access for 150 countries including England, Canada and Australia.
QUALIFICATIONS
Offered in accordance with the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship includes a fast-track citizenship option. It is also one of the fastest programs to lead to residence. To qualify for the Bulgarian citizenship, you will need to meet the investment requirements listed below.
Application Requirements
- Non-EU citizen;
- Valid passport or another substitute foreign travel document
- Documents supporting the source and origin of the declared and invested funds;
- Proof that the applicant has no criminal record;
- Attest the Power of Attorneys and the Investment Agreement;
- Payment of application fees;
- Make the minimum statutory trips to Bulgaria.
Citizenship Requirements
In accordance with the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, foreign investors who hold a permanent resident permit for at least five years are eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship. The requirements for those who opt for the regular program are as follows:
- Must be over 18 years old;
- Must have maintained permanent resident status and a valid residential address for the past five years;
- Must have never been sentenced by a Bulgarian court for a capital offence or accused in criminal proceedings for such a crime (unless he/she has been rehabilitated).
Investors will need to file a citizenship application and pass medical tests in their current country of residence.
| Investment Program | Description | |
| 1 | Stocks traded in Bulgaria | ~EUR 1,024,000 |
| 2 | UCITs (EU regulated fund vehicles) including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on Bulgaria | ~EUR 512,000 |
| 3 | Investing in any way in Alternative investment funds (AIFs) (including private equity, venture and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria | ~EUR 512,000 |
| 4 | Participation in a Bulgarian company carrying on a Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP) – these are analogues of EB-5 Regional Centers | ~EUR 1,024,000 |
| 5 | Participation in a Bulgarian company employing 10 Bulgarian persons or more | ~ EUR 257,000 |
| 6 | Participation in a Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography | ~ EUR 3,075,000 |
| 7 | Investment in a Certified Investment Project (CIP) (this is different to CPIP above) | Exact amount and conditions are project-dependent. |
- Fast Track: Investors using options 1- 4 can “fast track” obtaining citizenship, by doubling their respective initial investment. For option 5, investors can obtain citizenship by doubling their investment, and essentially employing 20 people, rather than the initial 10.
- Investment Holding Period: Applicants must maintain the investment for a minimum of 5 years total (3 years prior to obtaining citizenship, and 2 years thereafter).
- Obtain a Bulgarian passport (citizenship) for life for the main applicant – children can be added six months after the main application has obtained the citizenship, and the spouse can be added after 1 year of the main applicant obtaining citizenship.
- Bulgaria’s passport enables you to enter, reside, and work in the countries of the EU as a European citizen
- The processing time for the passport takes about 28 to 30 months
- Actual residency in Bulgaria is not required to obtain the citizenship
- Additional fees may apply – inclusive of legal, governmental and advisory Final pricing dependent on family size and age of family members.
Important Note: Please be advised that the Bulgarian citizenship is for the main applicant only. Once the main applicant has obtained the Bulgarian citizenship, they can apply for their children after six months, and for their spouse, after five years.
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December 28, 2021
