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18 facts quoted from the official source
Bulgaria · Talent & merit
Bulgaria Researcher Residence
For a researcher hosted by a registered Bulgarian research organisation under a research agreement.
- Income required
- — Means required · no figure published
- Can bring
- — Not stated in the official source
- Requirements
- 10 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.
10 requirements quoted from the official source.
The conditions that decide it
- Character and security
An adult initial applicant must provide the applicable criminal-record certificate.
via mfa.bg - Eligibility summary
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Financial means
The applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources.
via mfa.bg - Hosting Agreement Required
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Migration Directorate Application Required
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Registered Research Organisation Required
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Research Project Required
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Route Specific Evidence Required
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Work Permit Required
No separate work permit is required for the hosted researcher.
- Visa Type D Required Conditionally
A Type D visa is required before the initial residence application unless a stated legal exception or qualifying in-country status applies.
via mfa.bg
Also stated by the source
- Accommodation
Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria is required.
via mfa.bg - Health insurance
Medical insurance valid for the stay is required.
via mfa.bg - Official source basis
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5) - Passport or travel document
A valid passport or accepted travel document is required.
via mfa.bg - Report summary
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5)
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 Eur
The standard Article 15(1) Type D visa fee is EUR 100, subject to published exemptions.
via mfa.bg · checked 2026-07-26
Validity
1 proven from the official source.
- Duration
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5)
Processing time
1 proven from the official source.
- Processing Time Days
Permits for long-term residence may also be granted to foreigners [...] who are researchers with concluded contracts for development of a research project with a research organization based in the Republic of Bulgaria, included in the register [...]. The permit [...] shall be issued for a period of not less than one year. [...] The permit [...] shall be issued within 30 days from the submission of
via mvr.bg · checked 2026-08-03 · Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, art. 24b(1)-(5)
How it works
From here to a yes
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FAQ
Straight answers
01Who qualifies for this route to Bulgaria?
The official source states:
For a researcher hosted by a registered Bulgarian research organisation under a research agreement.
02How much money do I need?
The official source states:
The applicant must show sufficient subsistence resources.It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.
Every answer is quoted from the official home-affairs.ec.europa.eu page for this route, last read 2026-07-26.
We checked 18 points against the official source; 18 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
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 home-affairs.ec.europa.euLast read 2026-07-26 Every quote on this page is from this Bulgaria government page.Same category, same country
Other talent & merit routes to Bulgaria
4 other talent & merit routes to Bulgaria.
Post-Research Job-Seeking and Business-Start PeriodResearcher Long-Term Mobility to BulgariaResearcher Short-Term Mobility to BulgariaResidence for Contributions or Bulgarian State Interest
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