Timeline to get Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment
Last Updated on January 11, 2026 by Bulgarian Citizenship Team
This article presents a sample timeline for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship, adapted from the former Citizenship by Investment framework and now fully applicable to the Bulgaria Golden Visa program in 2026 through a fund investment of EUR 512,000. The process is outlined in distinct phases, with indicative timeframes provided for each step as follows:
Step 1 – Pre-approval Stage
While the statutory deadline for processing the pre-approval stage is up to 10 weeks, Advocate Markov and his team successfully completed the pre-approval stage for the most recent applicant, filed in December, in just 4 weeks.
During this stage, applicants must prepare a specific set of documents, many of which will be reused later for the D visa and permanent residency applications. Proper preparation at this early phase is essential, as it helps streamline the subsequent steps and avoid unnecessary delays.
Step 2 – Making the Investment
Making the investment is a standardized process in which the investor transfers the required capital to the fund’s designated bank account. Once the subscription is completed, the fund proceeds with the issuance of new shares, and the increase in share capital is formally recorded with both the Company Registry and the Central Depository.
These registrations ensure that the investor’s participation in the fund is officially documented and fully compliant with regulatory and Golden Visa requirements.
Step 3 – D Visa application
After making the investment and receiving the investment certificate from the Investment Agency, the investor must apply for a D visa. The issuance of the investment certificate takes 2-4 weeks, and the processing time for the D visa application is approximately 30 business days.
Step 4 – Permanent residency
The local Migration Office processes applications for permanent residency within 2 months from the date of submission. The investor must schedule a one-business-day visit to Bulgaria to file the application in person, as remote applications are not permitted. Once approved, the investor must return to Bulgaria to provide biometrics and receive the residency card the next day.
Step 5 – Bulgarian citizenship
Investors seeking Bulgarian citizenship must maintain their qualifying investment for a minimum of five years after permanent residency has been granted and either successfully pass the Bulgarian language test or obtain a statutory exemption before submitting a citizenship application.
Once filed, citizenship applications are typically processed within approximately 12 months, followed by the issuance of a Vice President’s decree, which generally takes an additional 6 months.
FAQs:
How long does it take to obtain Bulgarian citizenship by investment?
The process typically takes approximately 80 months. This includes:
- 6 – 8 months to obtain permanent residency.
- 5 years of maintaining permanent residency, as required by the Bulgarian Citizenship Act.
- 12 months for the Ministry of Justice to review your citizenship application after submission.
Please note that this timeline does not account for the presidential decree, which may take an additional 6 months.
How challenging is the citizenship interview?
The citizenship interview is a straightforward process involving standard questions. The key to a successful interview is maintaining a positive and relaxed demeanor.
Can my children apply for Bulgarian citizenship?
Yes, children of investors can apply for Bulgarian citizenship as soon as the main applicant has been granted citizenship. Children are not required to take a Bulgarian language exam or prove Bulgarian ethnicity. They qualify based on their parent holding Bulgarian citizenship.
