| Country | Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe |
| Minimum investment | BGN 2 million (EUR 1,024,000) |
| Additional fees from | EUR 57,500 |
| Investment type | Government bond / Business |
| Program type | Citizenship |
Highlights
A member of the EU and soon to join the Schengen zone, Bulgaria offers an attractive golden visa program. Bulgarian citizenship gives you the right to travel and stay visa-free within Europe, high-quality health care, low tax rates and access to the free EU market. Processing time is only 2 years, during which you can enjoy the benefits of permanent residency in Bulgaria. You do not have to give up your current passport, you do not have to speak the local language, you do not have to own real estate in Bulgaria and you do not have to reside in Bulgaria after becoming a citizen. With a Bulgarian passport, you will have unrestricted right to live, work, study and own land in any EU country.
Family
The benefits of Bulgarian citizenship can be extended to your family members as well. This applies to your spouse and children of any age.
Program description
First, you become a permanent resident in 6-9 months from submission. You will have to make two trips to a Bulgarian Consulate in your home country, and two trips to Bulgaria in the process. After your file has been prepared, you will have to sign it at a Bulgarian consulate, then transfer the first investment amount of BGN 1 million (EUR 512,000). Once your investment certificate is issued, you visit the Consulate a second time to apply for a D-type visa. With the visa granted, you make your first trip to Bulgaria to submit your permanent resident application. Finally, you make your second trip to Bulgarian to obtain your permanent resident card.
After one year as permanent resident, you can apply for fast-track citizenship by making an additional investment of BGN 1 million (EUR 512,000), either as a deposit in government bonds, or by investing in a government-approved business. This second investment will also cover your spouse and children. The total time from the residency application to citizenship is under 2 years.
Travel options
A Bulgarian passport is highly valuable, making you eligible for visa-free travel to 143 countries and the right to live and work anywhere in the EU.
Financial terms
For the residency application you must deposit BGN 1 million (appr. EUR 512,000) in a Governmental Bond Portfolio for 5 years. At the end of the period, the full amount will be returned to you (without interest). Your investment is fully guaranteed by the Bulgarian government. It is also possible to finance the required amount through a European bank.
For fast-track citizenship, another investment of BGN 1 million (appr. EUR 512,000) has to be made and maintained for 2 years. This second investment can be made as a deposit in a Governmental Bond Portfolio or as an investment in a state-approved business.
The citizenship application requires the payment of a due diligence fee of EUR 7,500 for the main applicant, with additional fees for more family members. A processing fee of EUR 25,000 per couple has to be paid for both the residency and citizenship applications, with EUR 2,500 payable for each child under 18.