The ideal gateway into the European economy and way of life, Bulgaria is diverse, culturally rich, and perfectly placed for working and traveling in and around the continent.
WHY CHOOSE BULGARIA?
As one of the youngest Schengen member states and a member of the European Union (2007) and NATO (2004), Bulgaria boasts a rich and diverse culture, temperate climate, and an ideal location in Southeast Europe — and the Investor Program for Permanent Residence in Bulgaria helps get you there faster.
Benefits of the program:
- Fast process to permanent residency (6 to 9 months);
- Special exemption from physical residence enforced with legislation;
- Stable investment in a licensed and regulated investment fund;
- No language requirements for permanent residence;
- Possibility to transfer the permanent residence status to an unlimited number of generations;
- Possibility to obtain temporary residence status for financially dependent parents;
- Permanent residency for lifetime.
Benefits for Permanent Residents
- Free movement within the Schengen countries;
- Lowest tax rates and free-trade environment within the EU;
- Access to high-quality health care in Bulgaria and the EU;
- Access to high-quality education in the country.
QUALIFICATIONS
The Investor Program for Permanent Residence is offered in accordance with the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
To qualify, applicants must fulfill the investment requirement in addition to meeting the following criteria:
- Be a non-EU citizen;
- Possess a valid passport or another substitute foreign travel document;
- Have a personal net worth greater than €512,000;
- Provide documents supporting the source and origin of the declared and invested funds;
- Hold no criminal record;
- Pay application fees;
- Make the minimum statutory trips to Bulgaria.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
- A minimum investment of EUR 512,000 in units of an investment fund licensed by the Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission.
Applicants must deposit the investment amount for a minimum period of five years as of the date of their permanent residence approval, with no further payment required.
The investment fund must meet the requirements set by the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act:
- Minimum net asset value of the fund: 5,000,000 BGN;
- Licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission;
- Investment strategy focused on shares and/or bonds of Bulgarian companies traded on a regulated market or multilateral trading system in the Republic of Bulgaria.
ELANA Bulgaria Mutual Fund
Arton partners with one of the first asset management companies in Bulgaria — ELANA Fund Management. With over 20 years of experience in fund management, it is part of the oldest non-banking financial institution in Bulgaria, known as a leader and innovator in the finance and investments sector for over 30 years.
ELANA Fund Management manages multiple mutual funds and close to 100 million EUR in assets. It is one of the mutual funds that meet the requirements of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, and an investment in its units will qualify an investor for permanent residence in the country.
INVESTMENT PROCESS
To qualify as a foreign investor in Bulgaria, applicants undergo a preliminary verification and approval by the government authority supervising the foreign investment process in the country — Invest Bulgaria Agency.
Arton fully facilitates and represents its clients in the pre-approval process.
Once Invest Bulgaria Agency grants its positive opinion on the applicant and issues an official statement, they can proceed with the process of obtaining permanent residence in Bulgaria. The next step will be a visa D application at the accredited Bulgarian diplomatic mission in the country of residence or nationality.
APPLICATION FEES
Application fees associated with the Investor Program for Permanent Residence in Bulgaria include government application fees, legal and translation fees, and service fees related to background verification and validation of source of funds.
All application fees charged by the Bulgarian government and by your service provider are subject to change. These fees depend on the number of applicants and the complexity of the process. Please contact us if you have any questions or need more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ 1: Can I study in another EU country as a Bulgaria PR holder?+–
Yes, you can, but you will generally be classed as a foreign student and will need to pay additional student fees. However, the European Commission has launched many exchange programs between EU universities to enable students to have easier access to study abroad.
FAQ 2: How many trips do I have to make to Bulgaria?+–
There are two statutory trips for each applicant at different stages of the process.
FAQ 3: How long does it take to have my Bulgarian ID card?+–
Under the express procedure, the cards are usually ready on the third business day following the day of application.
NEXT STEPS
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