Applicant Criteria.
Minimum age 18 (no maximum age)
Possess a valid passport and live legally in any country
Visit Bulgaria four times, for 2-4 days each visit (but no further residency requirement)
Pass a security background check
Invest €1,024,000 in Bulgaria-listed stocks/shares for permanent residence (plus €1,024,000 for fast track citizenship)
No strict net worth, path of funds, management experience, language, or education requirements
Make a declaration on source of funds (no detailed source of funds documents)
Spouse must be married to the principal applicant for min. 5 years, or apply for permanent residence (PR) and citizenship separately through Supplemental Offering (recommended)
Benefits of Permanent Residence.
There is no in-country residence requirement, but permanent residents may choose to work, live, and study in Bulgaria
No Bulgarian income tax if the PR-holder resides outside Bulgaria
Permanent residence is valid for the applicant’s lifetime, as long as the investment in Bulgaria stocks is maintained
Once Bulgaria joins the Schengen area, PR-holders will have visa-free access to all Schengen countries
Supplemental Offering allows a new spouse or non-dependent child to apply for lifetime PR at the same time as the rest of family
Applicants may apply for Fast Track Citizenship after holding PR for just 1 year (or apply after 5 years, under the standard citizenship program)
Benefits of Citizenship.
Bulgarian citizenship allows the family to travel, live and work throughout the European Union and Switzerland
Visa-free access to 142 countries (including Canada and Europe)
Principal applicant receives lifetime permanent residency (PR) in 4-6 months, and citizenship in less than 2 years
Citizenship is transferrable by descent (to all children and grandchildren)
Once the principal applicant receives citizenship, he/she can reside/work/study in Europe, and take the spouse and dependents with him/her
Supplemental Offering allows spouse or non-dependent children to apply for citizenship at the same time as the rest of family (otherwise the spouse must wait 3 years to apply for citizenship)