Moving to Bulgaria for permanent residence: methods, requirements, documents

Several facts proving the unusualness of this story

• The family planned the move 17 years ago, but actually carried it out only in 2017.
• They received a residence permit as representatives of a foreign company in Bulgaria. Since they did not have their own legal entity, they had to use the services of a broker.
• The whole family moved abroad, five of us in a car with a trailer. Crossed eight borders in a week.
• The realtor let me down - the housing chosen in absentia turned out to be cold. After four months, the contract was terminated.
• We opened our own “candle factory” – a beauty salon for animals.

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This is our second year living in the Burgas area, and we really like it here. And about the path to Bulgaria I will say this: it was long and thorny.

The first thoughts about moving arose when I was 27 years old. But even then I realized that living actively in another country, getting used to its mentality, and learning the language would be more difficult with age. Nevertheless, I actually did it - with my family and 17 years later.

We could easily go to Israel - both my wife and I have Jewish roots. Germany was also considered in terms of Jewish emigration. We thought about the Czech Republic, especially since Olya was born in Prague. Turkey, Egypt, and Bulgaria were assessed in parallel. For two years we weighed the pros and cons in detail - and in the end we decided: after all, Bulgaria.

Looking ahead, it took a year to prepare the move: we assessed the legal possibilities of migration, the selection of housing, and job prospects. There is always a risk that you will suddenly have to return. But we didn't even consider this possibility. We were 100% determined to succeed.

Reasons for moving to Bulgaria

Social surveys have shown that people most often name the following reasons for moving to this state:

• Favorable climatic conditions. You will enjoy the temperate continental climate, suitable for almost everyone. Ancient travelers spoke about the healing properties of air and water. If you want to improve your health, this is what you need. The change of times occurs in the same way as in the central regions of Russia. The minimal difference will be a slightly warmer winter. There are no Siberian frosts in Bulgaria, but the abundance of snow in the mountains will pleasantly surprise ski lovers.

• Beauty of nature. Everyone who has ever been here never tires of saying that they have never seen such natural splendor anywhere else. Most of the territory is occupied by forest and plain zones, but there are also mountain ranges and sea coasts.

• Rich story. This is a country with a centuries-old culture. Almost all great nations have visited here at different times. The Thracians and Greeks dominated, the Greeks and Romans ruled. This is the former Byzantine Empire, which subsequently fell at the hands of the Ottoman rulers. The local capital Sofia is the second oldest European city.

• Linguistic community. The fact that you don't know Bulgarian shouldn't stop you. You will never be reproached for your inability to speak it. This is unacceptable in an educated society. But they will be surprised that you can explain yourself in it. Middle-aged and older people can speak Russian. During the Soviet era, it was a compulsory subject in local schools, and many words and expressions remained in the memory of this generation. The likelihood that you will be understood is quite high. If you know English, there will definitely be no problems with communication. Local young people speak it at a fairly high level.

• European tolerance. Russians who moved here claim that the Bulgarian people are friendly towards foreigners. The country has a large percentage of Russian population. Orthodox Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully here. Whatever religious views you hold, they will be accepted and understood.

• Favorable conditions for business. Tourism and initiatives in the field of computer technology are popular and in demand here. The beauty industry (salons, hairdressers, spa treatments) and the restaurant business are also in demand. The Bulgarian state has a fairly favorable taxation system. An amount of 10% of profit is charged from the income of individuals and legal entities. Large foreign investors are attracted by the opportunity to enter the European market. For those who want to develop a small business, there is the opportunity to purchase products from other manufacturers in installments. This is especially convenient if the initial capital is not very large.

• Cheap housing. The tax rate on real estate is the lowest in Europe. You can buy your own home on the seashore or in the mountains, in a large city or rural area at 0.15% of the tax value. If you don’t have the funds to buy an apartment, you can always rent it at a low interest rate. Offers for sale exceed demand. Increased competition gives the renter or buyer the opportunity to bargain and choose what they want.

• Low crime rate. Those who have been here assure that you can walk the city streets calmly at any time of the day or night. Despite the fact that Bulgaria is one of the largest wine producers in Eastern Europe, people here drink in moderation and in special establishments. Drunk brawls are not accepted in this country. Immigrants say the only troublemakers could be the gypsies.

Why Bulgaria

In my opinion, we should have gone to Israel or Germany earlier when we were younger. It would be difficult for us to adapt now. But there are also enough arguments for Bulgaria. Firstly, there is a real warm sea there, and I always dreamed of living near big water. Secondly, the country is part of the European Union, and obtaining EU citizenship in the future is also an important argument.

In Bulgaria it is easier to find housing, develop a business and, most importantly, obtain a residence permit. We learned the main thing about a residence permit: an adult can obtain it as a representative of a foreign company registered in Bulgaria. On this basis, a type D visa is first issued (at the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Russian Federation), and then a residence permit, which is renewed every year for five years.

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Rights and obligations of persons immigrating to Bulgaria

Since the moment the republic became a member of the EU, many Russians have wondered whether it is possible to move to Bulgaria. This opened up many advantages: in accordance with the law, all foreigners permanently residing in the republic have the same rights as its citizens, with the exception of the rights that arise from Bulgarian citizenship.

Thus, immigrants who have received a permanent resident residence permit (primary residence permit) are entitled to:

• residence in the republic for at least 12 months;
• employment in Bulgaria without additional permission, obtaining education at Bulgarian universities, educating children in schools;
• obtaining health insurance;
• conducting business activities;
• formation of pension savings, use of other social rights.

Bulgaria is not a Schengen country, so non-Bulgarian immigrants will need a Schengen visa to visit other European Union countries (except Romania, Croatia and Cyprus). Please also note that emigration to Bulgaria from Belarus or another country gives migrants a number of responsibilities, including:

• comply with Bulgarian legislation and honor the Constitution;
• take out compulsory health insurance;
• pay taxes in Bulgaria, subject to tax residency;
• have your own insured housing and means of subsistence without resorting to the social security system;
• have no criminal record at the time of filing an application for an initial residence permit.

Search for a broker. Communication

Even before moving, while in St. Petersburg, I found a broker via the Internet who registered a representative office of a Russian company with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As a rule, such a broker - Russian or Ukrainian - is either an employee or owner of the company. And he registers you as his employee - an employee of a company with a representative office in Bulgaria.

His job is essentially preparing and providing documents for legal relocation. These papers can only be collected with the cooperation of a real representative office of a foreign company. Therefore, the importance of brokerage services is difficult to overestimate. I myself would not have collected the necessary package for each family member.

***

After discussing all the details with the broker, I received by mail the necessary documents to obtain a type D visa. The papers were submitted to the Bulgarian Consulate General in the Russian Federation and on their basis I received a six-month work visa D.

Everyone who receives it must leave Russia within a month and, within the remaining period of five months, obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria. When we arrived, the broker also assisted us in preparing a package of documents for submitting them to the local migration office. And we successfully obtained a residence permit.

It took about six months to find a broker! Hard work online, many factors influence the choice.

To obtain a residence permit, we were required to provide a document confirming my employment in the representative office, a rental agreement with the owner of the property and financial security (there must be funds in the Bulgarian bank account in the amount of €2.5 thousand (approximately 5.5 thousand leva) per adult, and half of this amount per child). Here you have to keep your money in a Bulgarian bank. After five years of annual renewal of the residence permit, permanent residence is issued for a period of five years. And whether to renew it or apply for citizenship is at your discretion.

The cost of brokerage services averages €1 thousand per representative. Plus we pay €250 per year for five years to keep your place in the dealership.

***

This option for obtaining a residence permit is absolutely legal. Although, yes, it is risky. After all, there is no written contract concluded with a broker – relationships are built on trust. No one can guarantee that his company will operate for five years in order to renew the residence permit annually without any problems. And for renewal you need documents from the representative office - a certificate from the BCCI.

If the company suddenly closes, then this person, in theory, should give me a position in another company... or I will have to look for another broker.

No one is immune from risk, so look at how long the representative company has been working on the market, read reviews. Check everything using common sense - that’s exactly what we did.

***

A good broker helps you keep your finger on the pulse. The rules for obtaining a residence permit on the basis of a representative office of a foreign company are constantly changing and becoming more stringent. For example, if previously it was possible to register 30 people through a representative office, now, as I understand it, only three.

Moreover, they have tightened the screws regarding citizens of the Russian Federation - candidates are often rejected even at the interview stage at the Bulgarian consulate in the Russian Federation. Behind the scenes, of course... But, for example, citizens of Kazakhstan and Ukraine do not have such problems. They easily receive a D visa and residence permit.

In this regard, we are doubly lucky. In addition to the fact that we were given a D visa and a residence permit without any problems, we actually jumped into the last carriage...

My wife and I went to Bulgaria as two representatives. Now documents on this basis are submitted by only one (!) family member, who goes to Bulgaria and gets a residence permit there. Only after this, his relatives who remained in Russia submit papers to the Bulgarian consulate and, on the basis of family restoration, receive a D visa.

We recently submitted documents to extend our residence permit. According to the new rules, I was registered as a co-representative of the company, and my wife’s basis was changed - now she is in Bulgaria in connection with the restoration of her family.

How do pensioners live in Bulgaria?

Those who have retired and moved to this state are unlikely to count on a rich and comfortable life in Bulgaria. Today, the minimum pension in Bulgaria is 207 levs (106 euros or almost 7,800 rubles). From July 2021, the authorities promise to raise the pension to 220 levs (112 euros or 8,270 rubles).

This level of payments is received by the majority of Bulgarian pensioners, and it is easy to assume that it will be very difficult for an emigrant to live on this money, even taking into account the relatively low (when compared with the rest of Europe) cost of the food basket and housing.

Russian pensioners manage to survive in Bulgaria due to the pension payments they receive in their homeland and passive income from renting out real estate.

Employment and your own business

I found a Russian company that has a local representative office, got a job as a sales representative, but in fact I never worked there for a day. I know what the company does, who my boss is, etc. The migration department, where they accept documents for obtaining/extending a residence permit, may ask questions about this.

Although they know that this option for obtaining a residence permit is legal. And also very popular among foreign citizens of working age. For example, I do not have the right to officially work in Bulgaria with a residence permit status as a hired employee - only in a representative office or in my own scheme, of course, that’s also possible, but if I’m caught, I’ll be deported.

***

Looking ahead, at this moment in time we have opened a company, an analogue of an LLC in the Russian Federation, which allows us to conduct commercial activities in Bulgaria.

Now I work as a manager in a construction team - we do repairs at sites. Electrical wiring, plumbing, tiles, complex engineering solutions...

And together they also opened a beauty salon for animals. My wife is a groomer with extensive experience. In addition to haircuts, we organized pet photography, we bring exclusive clothes for animals... Now we are developing step by step, taking into account the specifics of the local population.

So it’s possible to open your own “candle factory” in Bulgaria. The main thing is to decide on the direction.

Legal assistance for immigration to Bulgaria

International Business is a certified agent in the migration field. Lawyers help to obtain legal grounds for entry and residence in the territory of 27 member countries of the European Union, and also provide support in enrolling in educational institutions, finding employment and organizing your own business abroad. For over 10 years, a team of experienced specialists has been providing citizens of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus and other CIS countries with comprehensive immigration services to Bulgaria . International Business lawyers will prepare a high-quality dossier for you, according to which you are guaranteed to receive the right to reside in Bulgaria. Thanks to the apostilization process, your documents will successfully pass verification by the authorized immigration authorities of the state.

Road

We moved to Bulgaria, as I already said, five of us. Olya and I, our three girls (the youngest was still a baby), a small dog (a retired chihuahua), a hairless cat, a turtle... We got into a minibus with a trailer, loaded them under the ceiling and drove off.

Clothes, dishes - everything is minimal. Initially we thought of going through Estonia, but in the end we went through Finland. Simply because it is easier to obtain a Schengen visa at the consulate of this country.

The most difficult customs is ours. For five and a half hours at night I played Tetris, dismantled and collected things in the in-depth inspection bay. They were looking for antiques, gold and diamonds, rare books, awards, medals, and art objects. But this quest was completed.

I packed all my things more compactly and went to Finnish customs. It was completed in five minutes. The Finns didn’t even look at the animals, although all the documents for them were ready. The customs officer seemed even pleasantly surprised that we were going to Bulgaria.

Next is seven days of travel. We drove 600-700 km a day. First, Helsinki - ferry to Tallinn - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - Poland - Slovakia - Hungary - border with Romania, where the customs officer took our passports, went into the booth, and ten minutes later came out shouting “Hey, Russian!” and already stamped documents. Next is the bridge over the Danube and the Bulgarian border.

An incident happened here. I told the border guard a joke about how “I want to go to Paris again, where I haven’t been, but I already wanted to.” We laughed, he put a stamp... and, as it turned out later, the wrong one - instead of entry to exit. The Bulgarian migration department noticed this and did not inflate the problem.

All moving expenses, including brokerage services and consular fees, amounted to about 1 million rubles.

When will citizenship be given?

In view of the centuries-old friendly relations between Russia and Bulgaria and the common history uniting these states, Russians can become Bulgarian subjects under a simplified program. While citizens of other states (with the exception of EU countries) receive the right to citizenship only after 5 years of residence in Bulgaria under a residence permit. Russians can submit documents to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice 3 years after their official entry. The application is considered within a year, after which a written notification of the decision of the Ministry of Justice is sent to the applicant at his place of residence. If the decision is made in favor of the applicant, he is invited in person to take the oath before the authorized consul.

Terms and documents

To submit an application for a citizen of the Russian Federation to acquire Bulgarian citizenship, you will need original acts from the following list:

• Foreign passport;
• Birth certificates;
• Documents certifying the social and family status of a citizen (certificates of marriage, divorce, birth of children, death of close relatives, etc.);
• Questionnaires and applications of an applicant for Bulgarian citizenship;
• Autobiographies (written in Bulgarian);
• Certificates indicating that there are no problems with the law of the country in question;
• Determinations of the decision regarding the original citizenship of the Russian Federation (renunciation or application for dual citizenship status).

It is worth noting that, unlike most states of the European Union, Bulgaria does not require renunciation of Russian citizenship. The future Bulgarian citizen must submit documents in person. A legal representative can file documents for another person based on a deed of trust only if the citizen in question has not reached the age of majority.

Apartment. Difficulties

For a long time, while still in St. Petersburg, we chose where to go, and in the end we settled on Burgas. Proximity to the sea was a major factor. Sofia is a bit far from the water and everything is more expensive there, although, of course, it’s easier to find a job.

We did not have the opportunity to travel to Bulgaria on a tourist visa in advance, find accommodation and conclude an agreement with the owner. And it must be presented at the Bulgarian consulate in the Russian Federation. And the broker helped us in this matter - he made a lease agreement for an apartment in which we did not actually live.

But, of course, we found another place to live remotely, painstakingly scouring the Internet. We already had ideas about the country, since we had been to Bulgaria before. We selected an object to suit our needs and made an advance payment. In fact, it was not very big - €150, but upon arrival we had to pay the full amount for rent for a year and another deposit for two months - we found out about this already on the way. And that's not counting the services of a realtor!

As it turned out later, there is no such scheme - pay a year in advance, make a deposit two months in advance! But then the blackmail began, since the rental agreement was concluded for 14 months, and the owner, realizing that the children and I were not going anywhere, demanded payment for another two months. I think if it weren’t for the tedious journey, we would have immediately abandoned such a scheme!

***

Initially, our requirements for the apartment were clear: a small option for five, for year-round use. We needed a garage to store things and a trailer. The last point has become a problem: in Bulgaria, apartments are rented without additional storage rooms and garages, there are only small closets for summer things...

Of course, if we knew all the nuances, we would never have chosen our first apartment. Two bedrooms and a living room combined with a kitchen in an old four-story residential building; it has two entrances and one apartment on each floor. It's really not far from the sea, but the apartment turned out to be very cold. There was a boiler room, but you had to pay for it separately, and we were forced to heat ourselves with air conditioning. And this is a utopia.

After four or five months we were able to get out of our tenancy agreement and moved to another place. The house is located here, in Sarafovo, only a little further from the first home.

The process of terminating a rental agreement is a separate issue. We spent two months studying local nuances, administrative laws and identifying the right behavior strategy!

My advice is to look for an apartment locally, and let friends and acquaintances who have been living in Bulgaria for several years help. Because even if you choose an apartment on your own in the summer, you won’t know how cozy and warm it will be in the winter. Only after living here for a year can I say which houses in the surrounding area are warm and which are not.

Offers for rental housing in Bulgaria:

Apartments in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria 50 € per day Area 60 m2, 2 rooms Stroyinvest Group BG – z…

Apartments in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria 30 € per day Area 40 m2, 1 room Stroyinvest Group BG – z…

Apartments in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria 35 € per day Area 40 m2, 1 room Stroyinvest Group BG – z…

Apartments in Pomorie, Bulgaria 75 € per day Area 65 m2, 2 rooms Sunrise BG Home

House in Medovo, Bulgaria €39,300 per month Area 90 m2, 5 rooms BulgarianESTates Ltd.

Apartment in Varna, Bulgaria 700 € per month Area 90 m2, 3 rooms STEFANOV INVEST

Apartment in Sozopol, Bulgaria 75 € per day Area 100 m2, 3 rooms Aurora Plus

Studio in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria 143 € per month Area 38 m2, studio Aurora Plus

Apartment in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria €256 per month Area 70 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartment in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria €256 per month Area 58 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartment in Pomorie, Bulgaria 60 € per day Area 90 m2, 3 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 194 € per month Area 67 m2, 3 rooms Aurora Plus

Studio in Burgas, Bulgaria 36 € per day Area 44 m2, studio Aurora Plus

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 21 € per day Area 40 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 16 € per day Area 30 m2, 1 room Aurora Plus

Studio in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria 44 € per day Area 37 m2, studio SUNNYBEACHINVEST

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 155 € per month Area 50 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartments in Sveti Vlas, Bulgaria 30 € per day Area 105 m2, 3 rooms Fort Knox

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 155 € per month Area 79 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

Apartment in Burgas, Bulgaria 180 € per month Area 70 m2, 2 rooms Aurora Plus

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How can you obtain permanent residence?

There may be several ways to move to Bulgaria for permanent residence from Russia, Ukraine or Kazakhstan. It will be easiest for those whose income level exceeds the average.

The Bulgarian economy is developing, and investors are welcome in the republic. By investing in a Bulgarian company and the securities market, you can count on simplification of the legalization procedure.

Other methods include:

• Creating a business - due to the lack of jobs, local authorities strongly encourage those who are ready to create them. To justify the right to permanent residence, you need to provide jobs for 10 citizens of the country and pay taxes on time.
• Education - a diploma from a Bulgarian university in itself does not give the right to obtain residency status, but a graduate can find employment in a local company, thereby gaining the opportunity for long-term residence for the duration of the employment contract.
• Work – many chances for those whose profession is in demand in the country or who managed to find a permanent job with a long-term contract.
• Pension migration program - provides an opportunity for a wealthy pensioner to move to live in Bulgaria. The reason for retirement does not matter. The main thing is that the candidate has at least 12 minimum Bulgarian pensions (2,484 leva or 1,270 euros) in his account. From July 1, 2021, the minimum pension will be increased to 220 levs / 112 euros.
• Family reunification - this option is suitable for relatives of a migrant who resides legally on Bulgarian territory, has sufficient income to support the family and has a permanent place of residence.

How much does life cost in Bulgaria?

The amount on which a family of three can live for a month in these parts consists of the following points:

1. Food products – 20,000 rubles.
2. Household goods – 2000 rub.
3. Gasoline - 1 liter 95 costs 62 rubles.
4. Vacation – 16,000. Tourism is thriving in this country and sightseeing tours are much cheaper than in Russia. For example, a trip of 3 days and 2 nights in Bulgaria will cost 3800-4500; 2 days and 1 night – 3500-4500 rub. 1 day in a good hotel – 650-750 rub. A trip to a decent restaurant costs 700 rubles on average. per person. Swimming pool 60 rub. for pensioners, 100 rub. for everyone else
5. Media and communications (Internet, TV, mobile phone) – 2500 rub.
6. Electricity – 3000 rub. But we must take into account seasonal fluctuations (more in winter, less in summer) and the condition of the house (warm apartments require less energy even in the cold season). People who like the heat will pay a little more.
7. Water – 1300 rub.
8. Utility bills – 2000 rub. The cost directly depends on the house and the services provided by housing and communal services. This amount includes video surveillance, elevator, cleaning.
9. Medicines – 1000 rubles, provided they are purchased regularly. The number was named by the person with whom the old mother lives.
10. A one-time annual payment, including property tax and garbage removal, is approximately 6,000 rubles, depending on the price of the apartment and its location.

The list of prices shows that if you have housing and work, the three of you can live comfortably on 30,000 rubles a month. We will leave 10,000 for entertainment and one-time needs. Two adults with a standard salary will be able to support themselves and a child, and even afford to have a cat.