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Bulgaria · Independent means

Bulgaria Pensioner Residence

16 facts quoted from the official source

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

Income required
—
Means required · no figure published
Can bring
—
Not stated in the official source
Requirements
12
each quoted below
Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

12 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it
  • Bulgarian Bank Account RequiredA bank account in Bulgaria is required.
  • Character and securityAn adult initial applicant must provide the applicable criminal-record certificate.
  • Financial meansThe pensioner must have sufficient means for the stay.via mvr.bg
  • Migration Directorate Application RequiredThe residence application is handled by the Ministry of Interior Migration Directorate or its regional unit.via home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
  • Pension Entitlement RequiredThe applicant must be legally entitled to a pension.
  • Pension Jurisdiction ScopeThe statute accepts pension entitlement under Bulgarian or foreign law.via mvr.bg
  • Pension Transfers To Bulgarian Account RequiredThe account must receive the relevant pension transfers.
  • Route Specific Evidence RequiredDocuments proving the particular statutory residence ground must be supplied.
  • Visa Type D Required ConditionallyA Type D visa is required before the initial residence application unless a stated legal exception or qualifying in-country status applies.
What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

  • AccommodationEvidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.
  • Health insuranceMedical insurance valid for the stay is required.
  • Passport or travel documentA valid passport or accepted travel document is required.
Also stated by the source
  • Eligibility summaryThe current Visa D checklist publishes Article 24(1)(10) residence for pensioners.
  • Official source basisThe current Visa D checklist publishes Article 24(1)(10) residence for pensioners.
  • Report summaryThe current Visa D checklist publishes Article 24(1)(10) residence for pensioners.
Family

Who you can bring

— Not stated in the official source. The official page for this route does not address dependent-family rights, so we do not publish a claim either way.
Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Fees
1 proven from the official source.
  • Visa D Standard Fee EurThe standard Article 15(1) Type D visa fee is EUR 100, subject to published exemptions.checked 2026-07-26
How it works

From here to a yes

See if you qualify — freeThe 3-minute check scores your profile against every Bulgaria route at once, this one included. No signup, no card.
Get your full report — €10One personalised report ranks every route you can actually get, with the full requirement set for your profile — so you apply for the right one.
Apply with the official sourceThe application itself always happens with the government — the enacting authority linked below. The report points you straight at it.
FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Bulgaria?
The official source states: For a person entitled to a Bulgarian or foreign pension who has sufficient resources for residence in Bulgaria.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states: The pensioner must have sufficient means for the stay. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
03Do I need health insurance?
The official source states: Medical insurance valid for the stay is required.
04Do I need to show accommodation in Bulgaria?
The official source states: Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.

Every answer is quoted from the official mfa.bg page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.

We checked 16 points against the official source; 16 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Validity and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

Not stated in the official source — the official source names no exclusion for this route.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source mfa.bgLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Bulgaria government page.
Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-26 · Our methodology
 · Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.
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