Permanent Residency for Investor Families
Last Updated on November 24, 2024 by Bulgarian Citizenship Team
An overview of how family members of investors can obtain permanent residency in Bulgaria
As a result of amendments to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act in March 2021 and April 2022, the citizenship by investment program based on government bonds was officially discontinued. In its place, a new Bulgaria Golden Visa program was introduced, allowing investors to qualify through investments in Bulgarian AIFs and Bulgarian ETFs.
Permanent residency for the Family of an Investor
Under Article 25 of the Foreigners Act, spouses and children of foreigners with permanent residency in Bulgaria are eligible to apply for permanent residency. A valid Family D visa is a prerequisite for this process. The application for permanent residency for family members is processed within three months, similar to the timeframe for the primary applicant.
Temporary Residency for Parents of an Investor
Parents of an investor are eligible to apply for a Family D visa, which serves as a prerequisite for obtaining a temporary residency card in Bulgaria. The temporary residency is initially valid for 12 months and can be renewed annually.
To transition from temporary residency to permanent residency, the parent must reside in Bulgaria for at least 30 months within any five-year period. This pathway provides a structured and gradual approach to establishing a long-term residence in Bulgaria for investor family members.
Citizenship for the Family of an Investor
Children of investors are eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship under Article 15 of the Citizenship Act without needing to meet residency or language requirements. Additionally, they are not required to renounce their existing citizenship.
Family members of Bond Investors
Family members of bond investors now enjoy the same benefits available under the new Bulgaria Golden Visa program without the need to transition their investment from bonds to funds. Eligible family members can apply for permanent residency by first securing a Type D visa and subsequently submitting a permanent residency application.
Children of bond investors also benefit from the relaxed conditions mentioned above. However, the primary investor must either pass a Bulgarian language proficiency exam or seek our assistance to apply for an exemption.
