The fastest and most inexpensive way to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria is provided to pensioners. In accordance with Part 24 (10) of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria (ZCHRB)  a residence permit can be applied for persons who have become entitled to a pension and have sufficient funds to live in Bulgaria. It does not matter on what basis the right to a pension was obtained: old-age pension, seniority pension (for military, police, etc.), disability pension The size of the pension is also not important, it is enough to have on an account in a Bulgarian bank an amount equal to 12 minimum pensions received in Bulgaria today 2400 leva or just over 1230 euros.

What does a residence permit in Bulgaria give to pensioners:

Having received a residence permit, a pensioner can stay in Bulgaria for a year, enter and leave the country an unlimited number of times without applying for a visa. Can issue invitations to the country for guests, apply for visas to the Schengen countries at the embassies of these countries located in Bulgaria, visit some European countries without visas.

What do you need for this? We will advise and help you!

It is necessary to obtain a visa D at the Bulgarian consulate in your country of residence. Step 1  – to obtain a certificate of no criminal record – it takes a long time to do 1.5 – 2 months, then it must be translated into Bulgarian. Step 2  – A trip to Bulgaria at your request; – buy real estate or draw up a lease agreement in Bulgarian; – open an account in any bank in Bulgaria and receive an account statement. The account must have at least 6 minimum pension amounts in the Republic of Bulgaria, namely 1200 leva or 600 euros. – buy insurance from 6 months (in Bulgaria it is cheaper than in Russia). Step 3  – If you cannot come to Bulgaria yourself, we will do everything for you remotely. To do this, you will need to give a power of attorney to our lawyer to conclude housing lease agreements, for opening a bank account and receiving a statement,  registration of medical insurance. Step 4  – obtaining an extract from the district department of the pension fund on pensions received for the last 3 months by the time of applying for a visa D, translation and legalization of the extract and pension certificate. Step 5  – after all the documents are ready, translated and legalized  You personally go to the Consulate to apply for a visa D. And then you wait from 30 to 45 days. Step 6  – Arrival in Bulgaria already with a visa D and migration trip.  We can accompany you. The police clearance certificate and pension statement are valid, and we take a new bank statement. We buy insurance for another 6 months, so that there is a year in general.

List of required documents for a D visa for retirees

• Filled Visa Application Form (in 2 copies with a handwritten signature).
• International passport (valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip), 2 copies of the 1st page of the passport.
• Proof of retirement status. This is a certificate from the pension fund or the military registration and enlistment office (if a military pension), proving that you are a pensioner and indicating the amount of pension for the last three months.
• 2 color photographs on a light background (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
• Medical policy Insurance (coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros).
• Proof of housing. Usually, pensioners provide a notarial deed of their property in Bulgaria. In case of its absence, a real estate lease agreement is possible. If you have a notarial deed of ownership, then it must be accompanied by Act No 16 and a certificate of no tax arrears.
• Proof of financial security (account statement).
• Certificate of no criminal record. Original and translation.

You can find out the latest requirements for applying for a D visa at website of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in your country.  

List of documents for obtaining a residence permit (long-term residence permits) in Bulgaria:

• Application (sample filling);
• a passport valid for at least 18 months from the date of submission of documents, a copy of its main page, the page with visa D and the page with the stamp of the last entry into Bulgaria;
• Proof of accommodation for the duration of your stay: a copy of a notarial deed or a notarized lease agreement;
• Medical policy Insurancevalid on the territory of Bulgaria for the entire period of stay. The amount of coverage must be at least 30 thousand euros (60 thousand leva);
• certificate of criminal record (translated, valid for 6 months);
• a document issued by the competent authorities of the relevant state, confirming the pension provision of a person. Translation and legalization are required;
• a copy of the pension certificate (translated and legalized);
• A Bulgarian bank account statement proving that you have the necessary funds to live in Bulgaria (the minimum pension in Bulgaria is x 12, today it is 2400 leva or a little more than 1230 euros).

The migration service may request any other documents for the issuance of a residence permit, so check the information on the website Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Burgas and on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the city of Varna. A residence permit is issued within 2 – 6 weeks, valid for one year and renewed annually. For advice on obtaining Residence permit in Bulgaria for pensioners Contact us or staff MC Window to Bulgaria in your country.