After 5 years of living in Bulgaria with a residence permit, you can switch to permanent status - permanent residence or DVZ. This is the next step after annual extensions: it is no longer necessary to confirm the basis every year, and the rights are almost equal to the rights of citizens.
5 years of residence is not the only way to permanent residence. It can also be obtained on other grounds, such as Bulgarian origin or marriage to a Bulgarian citizen.
Both statuses are essentially permanent and give the same rights within Bulgaria. The difference is in one key point: DVA is a European status that opens the way to other EU countries, and permanent residence is purely Bulgarian.
Permanent Residence – Bulgarian Status
5 years of residence, absence from the country for up to 30 months during this period
Valid only in Bulgaria
Visa-free travel within the EU for up to 90 days, but does not give the right to a residence permit of another EU country
Suitable for those who plan to live in Bulgaria
Long-term residence – European status
5 years of residence, absence from the country for no more than 10 months during this period
Recognized by all EU countries
Gives the right to move to another EU country and apply for a residence permit there without a D visa
Suitable for those who look wider than one country
For travel through residence - 5 years with a residence permit (absence: for permanent residence no more than 30 months, for DVA no more than 10 months). For other grounds - its own conditions.
The exact list of documents depends on your situation and the basis - we will tell you at the consultation what you need.
Submit the documents in person at the place of registration in Bulgaria.
The status itself is indefinite. Only the plastic card changes: for permanent residence, its validity period cannot exceed the validity of the passport, for a residence permit - a longer period is possible. Without a valid passport, the card is invalid.
Full analysis of conditions, documents, deadlines and real examples
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