Southeast Europe · Immigration

Bulgaria

103 immigration routes

Bulgaria sits in Southeast Europe. Its immigration system runs 103 distinct routes — led by family, work and residence-based status, each set out in official law. 99 of them cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
103across 17 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
99 of 103cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Family17 of the 103 routes — see them under Family below
Region
Southeast Europe
Capital
Sofia
Population
6,433,302
Official language
Bulgarian
Currency
BGN
Time zone
UTC+02:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 103 routes, grouped by purpose — 99 of 103 cite an official government source directly. Any route below without one says so on the route.

Work

16 routes

For highly qualified employment in Bulgaria under an eligible contract and salary level.

Official government source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Investment

11 routes

Business & self-employment

1 of 4 says who you can bring
4 routes

For a representative of a foreign company whose Bulgarian commercial representation is registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a non-EU founder approved to develop a high-tech or innovative project through a Bulgarian company.

Official government source: mig.government.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 6 sources

Talent & merit

5 routes

Study

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Family

16 of 17 say who you can bring
17 routes

Residence for the parent or other direct ascendant of the Bulgarian or spouse of a Bulgarian citizen.

Can bring: spouse, parents
Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Independent means

1 route

For a person entitled to a Bulgarian or foreign pension who has sufficient resources for residence in Bulgaria.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Residence-based status

5 of 14 say who you can bring
14 routes

For an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who has resided lawfully and continuously in Bulgaria for five years or meets an early worker-based permanent-residence condition.

Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Free movement

4 of 8 say who you can bring
8 routes

For an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen who accompanies or joins another EU free-movement citizen in Bulgaria as a family member.

Can bring: grandparents, spouse, children, parents
Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Registered residence in Bulgaria for an EU, EEA or Swiss student or vocational trainee.

Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Youth mobility

1 route

— No eligibility summary published for this route yet

Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

Cultural, religious & volunteer

3 routes

For a foreign religious servant invited by the central management of a registered religion in Bulgaria.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

For a foreigner authorised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice to carry out qualifying non-profit activity.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26 · 4 sources

Short stay & visit

5 routes

Humanitarian protection

3 of 7 source-cited · 1 of 7 says who you can bring
7 routes

For an international-protection applicant granted Bulgarian humanitarian status because the refugee test is not met but serious-harm protection applies.

Official source of the governing body: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26

For a foreigner granted the distinct constitutional asylum status by the competent Bulgarian state authority.

Official source of the governing body: mvr.bg · checked 2026-07-26

For an international-protection applicant recognised as a refugee by the Bulgarian State Agency for Refugees.

Official source of the governing body: help.unhcr.org · checked 2026-07-26

Ancestry & return

2 routes

Medical treatment

1 route

Transit

2 routes

For a traveller subject to an airport-transit visa requirement who remains in the international transit area.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26

For a traveller entering the Schengen territory through Bulgaria solely to continue to another destination.

Official government source: mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26

Other & special

1 of 3 says who you can bring
3 routes

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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