Bulgarian Residency for UK citizens
The last date a British citizen could apply for a 5-year Bulgarian residency card was 31.12.2021. After the Brexit transitional period UK citizens can no longer enjoy the relaxed immigration rules available to EU citizens (unless married for an EU citizen).
There are several main differences between residency for EU citizens and Bulgarian residency for UK citizens.
| UK citizens | EU citizens | |
| D visa required | Yes | No |
| Validity of first residency card | 12 months | 5 years |
| Timeline to permanent residency | 5 years (applicant has to spend 30 months in any 5 years period) | 5 years (no physical stay requirements) |
| Timeline to Bulgarian citizenship | 5 years from permanent residency status | 5 years from permanent residency status |
| Family reunification | Straight forward, three staged process (application to local Migration Office, D visa application in the embassy, and final residency application with the Migration Office) | Relaxed route (the process is completed in a week) |
| Validity of residency for family members | 12 months | 5 years |
Our dedicated and recommended by Legal500 team of immigration lawyers will assist through the process of obtaining a Bulgarian residency.
The most affordable and hassle-free option to obtain a Bulgarian D visa is by way of setting up a TRO in Bulgaria. The TRO is a form of entity that belongs to a foreign company. It is similar to branch but cannot trade and does not require employing 10 local citizens.
Family reunification for British citizens in Bulgaria
Family reunification rules for British citizens differ based on when they first obtained Bulgarian residency. If a British citizen is marreid to an EU citizen, the British spouse will enjoy the rules for EU citizens.
| Pre-Brexit | After Brexit | Married to an EU citizen | |
| D visa required | No | Yes | No |
| Validity of first residency card | 5 years | 12 months | 5 years |
| Timeline to permanent residency | 5 years (no physical stay requirements) | 5 years (applicant has to spend 30 months in any 5 years period) | 5 years (no physical stay requirements) |
| Timeline to Bulgarian citizenship | 5 years from permanent residency status | 5 years from permanent residency status | 5 years from permanent residency status |
| Timeline to Family reunification | Few days only | Straight forward, three staged process, around 3 months | Few days only |
| Validity of residency for family members | 5 years | 12 months | 5 years |
Permanent Residency for British Residents in Bulgaria
For British citizens who held a residency card for the full 5-year period before Brexit, obtaining Bulgarian permanent residency is a hassle-free process. British citizens can secure Bulgarian permanent residency, similar to EU citizens, without physically residing in Bulgaria.
The permanent residency application is processed within just 3 working days of submission, just like the first-time residency application. Once approved, the Bulgarian permanent residency card remains valid for an extensive period of 10 years.
For further details about moving to Bulgaria from the UK, please get in touch with our team.
