A residence permit is a special permit document due to which a citizen can stay in the territory of a certain state for a long time. In addition to residence, a residence permit gives a citizen of a foreign state the right to certain benefits, as well as the possibility of visa-free entry into and exit from this country. In this case, the amount of benefits depends on the state that issued the residence permit. In Bulgaria, for example, a resident of a foreign state has the right to open his own business under a simplified taxation system. More information about the benefits offered to a resident with a residence permit is described in this article.
Possible ways to obtain a residence permit
Each country has its own conditions for obtaining a residence permit. How to apply for a residence permit in Bulgaria? The most common method (characteristic not only for this, but also for most states) is to invest a foreigner’s own funds in the state’s economy. You can invest in securities, business structures, state funds, as well as real estate. The size of investments varies greatly in different countries and depends on the economic stability in the country. It is believed that the more stable the state, the more expensive a residence permit will cost a foreigner. Obtaining a residence permit through the purchase of housing is the most common.
Advantages of a residence permit in Bulgaria
A residence permit in Bulgaria for Russians is the most sought-after permit document. Our compatriots are attracted by their kindred language, pleasant mild climate, confident economy and low cost of living.
Due to the presence of a residence permit, residents of the republic get the opportunity to freely enter and leave the country without visas. In addition, guests of Bulgaria have the right to conduct their own business, to receive higher, primary and secondary technical education. In addition, residents of Bulgaria have the opportunity of simplified obtaining a Schengen visa.
The procedure for obtaining a residence permit
How to get a residence permit in Bulgaria? This is easiest to do here compared to other European countries. For this, a citizen of a foreign country must have a category D. visa. It is issued on the basis of documents on the sale of real estate, and also subject to the presence of one of the following factors:
- employment in RB companies;
- an invitation from one of the enterprises in Bulgaria;
- own business in Bulgaria with ten jobs;
- if the person is a company representative of another state;
- official marriage with a resident of Bulgaria;
- studying at one of the Bulgarian universities;
- the presence of a child who is a citizen of the republic,
- if a person for a long time used medical services in the country;
- foreigner is an accredited journalist;
- the presence of a Russian pension certificate.
If you have a visa D and one of the above conditions, a citizen has the right to receive a document on a residence permit. However, in reality, this is not so simple. The easiest way is to obtain a residence permit through the purchase of real estate and registration of a representative office in Bulgaria. Perhaps the easiest way to get a residence permit in Bulgaria is for pensioners.
Residence permit for pensioners
This type of permit is most often issued to Russians.This is because our pensioners are much more comfortable living in Bulgaria on a Russian pension than on it in Russia. In addition, the climate of Bulgaria is more suitable for sick people. The prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit document is the presence of a D visa, a Russian pension certificate and own or leased housing.
It is worth noting that pensioners are considered not only elderly people, but also those who receive a disability pension or care for loved ones. However, the size of the pension is important, which is limited to 70 euros. Housing can be own or leased, and the cost of renting an average of 2-3 times lower in Bulgaria than in Russia. Russian retirees often live in Bulgaria on the funds they receive from renting a Russian apartment. They have enough of this money to rent real estate in a foreign country, for medical services, travel and entertainment.
Residency document for real estate purchase
The question of how to get a residence permit in Bulgaria when buying real estate is very popular among Russians. Many are interested in the conditions for obtaining a residence permit and the features of its use.
First of all, those wishing to become residents of Bulgaria should be aware that the minimum cost of real estate, which allows obtaining a residence permit, is 300 thousand euros. A residence permit in Bulgaria is not issued automatically with the acquisition of housing. At first, the guest of the country will only be given the opportunity to stay in the country for a long time. In the future, it will be necessary to renew this permit annually for five years before the government allows the foreigner to stay in the country for a longer period of 5 years.
In the future, you can stay for permanent residence in a country such as Bulgaria. Real estate (a residence permit depends on its value) can be purchased in Bulgaria for less than 300 thousand euros, however, to obtain a residence permit, you will need to have some additional reason in this case (the conditions for issuing a D visa have been considered above).
Residence Permit for Representation
In order to obtain a residence permit in this way, you must be an employee of a Russian company with a representative office in Bulgaria. A lot of businessmen from Russia today register their representative offices in the Chamber of Commerce of Bulgaria. The cost of accreditation in such an institution is about 1 thousand euros. For Russians, this area is a whole business segment, representative offices in many cases are registered specifically for the sale of accreditations to those wishing to have a residence permit in Bulgaria. It is not openly accepted to talk about such a method, although this is not a secret for the Bulgarian migration services.
Paperwork for permission
To obtain a document allowing residence in Bulgaria, it is required to submit the following papers to the consular service:
- an application for a residence permit;
- special format photographs;
- a copy of a foreign passport with a note on the availability of a visa D;
- medical insurance with a security of at least 30 thousand euros, valid for at least 6 months;
- a document confirming payment of the state duty for considering the application;
- a statement with a statement of the status of the personal account;
- confirmation of the absence of prosecution;
- confirmation of one of the grounds for a residence permit permit (purchase of real estate, a pension certificate, certificate of employment in a Russian representative office, etc.).
Important points when applying for permission
If you know about some of the pitfalls associated with obtaining a residence permit, you can save a significant part of the money, nerves and time.
- The timing. A residence permit should be issued immediately after arrival in Bulgaria. If the D visa expires, you will have to return to your homeland. An application for a residence permit is usually considered for at least two weeks.
- Address to professionals. If you have problems with the Bulgarian language or an understanding of the terminology of the Bulgarian legislation, you can turn to specialists who speak Russian for help. They will not only translate documents, but also help with their execution.
- Rates. Paperwork urgently costs much more than planned. Therefore, if the issue of saving finances is acute, care should be taken to submit documents as planned. The standard procedure will cost the applicant 10 BGN, the price of the permit itself is 200 BGN (valid for 6 months) and 500 BGN (valid for 12 months). An urgent issue of a residence card will cost the resident an additional 220 leva.
- Card renewal. If the validity of the residence card expires, an application for its renewal should be submitted a maximum of 3 weeks before the final deadline. The set of documents will be identical to the one submitted for the first time.
- The correctness of the information provided. When applying for a residence permit, it is necessary to indicate only real data (addresses, phone numbers, etc.). This information is checked personally by the migration service staff, therefore, fraud can lead to a lifetime refusal to issue a card.
Grounds for refusal of a residence permit
A residence permit in Bulgaria can be canceled if it turns out that the resident provided incorrect information or committed illegal actions in the country. In addition, a residence permit may be refused if:
- if the resident was imprisoned for a term of three years or more;
- false documents were used by an alien;
- the guest has a disease due to which he poses a danger to other people;
- when a man has nothing to live for;
- if the resident has violated migration rules or customs regulations;
- if he concluded fictitious marriage with Bulgarian;
- committed a legal crime in respect of the tax legislation of Bulgaria.
Permanent Residence Permit
A permanent residence permit in Bulgaria is different in that it provides a number of additional opportunities to its holder, in particular:
- a resident has the right to stay in the country for five years;
- entry is carried out without visas and other permits;
- a person gets the opportunity to work in Bulgaria for hire;
- a resident can use free Bulgarian medicine;
- can count on a Bulgarian pension;
- children of a person with permanent residence can attend school and kindergarten for free;
- Students get free tuition at universities and colleges.
Despite the wide list of human rights with a residence permit, he still does not have access to the right to vote in elections in Bulgaria. Only citizens of the country have the right to vote.
How to get Bulgarian citizenship
Obtaining official Bulgarian citizenship by a foreign citizen must be preceded by his residence on the territory of the country for at least 5 years, the absence of a criminal record during this time, the regular receipt of income sufficient for living, and knowledge of the Bulgarian language. In addition, the Russian must renounce the citizenship of the Russian Federation.
The interest of different countries in issuing residence permits
The interest of various states in attracting foreign residents is not the same. In Turkey, for example, a residence permit is granted automatically with the acquisition of a property of any value, and in England a foreigner needs to invest millions of pounds into the country's economy.
The interest of the Bulgarian authorities in issuing residence permits is significantly higher than in England, this clearly demonstrates the entry threshold, which is estimated at 300 thousand euros, which is quite feasible for the citizens of Russia. A residence permit in Bulgaria when buying real estate since 2014 is a real opportunity to become a resident of this country.
It is noted that the relaxation of the regime for issuing residence permits in foreign countries is always associated with the need for additional financial injections from emigrants. So there was an opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria when buying real estate since 2013. It has long been noted by financial analysts that states with a stable economy are reluctant to issue residence permits. So do not be seduced by the ease of obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria, it is possible that you should first weigh in detail all the advantages of living in this country.
Who is interested in Bulgarian citizenship
Surveys of homeowners in Bulgaria indicate that more than 30% of respondents expect to move to this state in the future, 20% of Bulgarian property owners expect to leave our country in the near future, and 10% buy housing there specifically for a residence permit. Such data indicate that our compatriots, buying foreign housing, in most cases expect to leave the Russian Federation and obtain a residence permit in Bulgaria when buying real estate. Since 2014, this can be done thanks to the relevant decree of the government of this country.
The motives of these people are different. A Russian emigrant is often a well-to-do person, concerned about the future of his children in Russia, or dissatisfied with the social conditions of living in it. Someone is guilty of the Russian economy as the culprit of emigration, someone is guilty of dissatisfaction with the government, the education system, and the level of medicine. A smaller part testifies against the harsh Russian climate. Thus, a residence permit in Bulgaria when buying real estate is for Russians a way of avoiding undesirable reality.
