Rights of foreigners in Bulgaria: what's new in the legislation

New difficulties

The main law governing the stay of foreign nationals in Bulgaria is called exactly that – the «Закон об Иностранцах» (ЗЧРБ). It is amended from time to time. Thus, last December amendments were adopted concerning those who are trade representatives or businessmen acting as employers. Whereas previously no special requirements were imposed on representative offices of foreign companies, now companies must submit a number of new documents. Among them:

• justification of the number of representatives;
• a report on the representative office’s activities;
• a work plan;
• documents attesting to the parent company’s operations and to the absence of tax arrears.

The company «Bulgarian Expert offers a service for preparing the set of documents for the inspection of a Trade Representative Office at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Get in touch via the «Contacts section for details.

Certain difficulties have also been faced by those who run a business in Bulgaria and apply for a long-term residence permit on that basis. Previously the law only mentioned the need to employ at least 10 Bulgarian citizens. Now clarifications have appeared: the employees must work full-time, and ten people must be hired for each founder of the company.

The expected changes concerning residence permits «by investment» for those who have bought property worth 50 thousand euros or more were never adopted.

Work in Bulgaria

Getting a job in Bulgaria, on the contrary, has become easier. True, this does not apply to everyone, but only to highly qualified workers in certain fields, as well as to seasonal workers.

Whereas previously the employer had to collect a large set of documents and carefully justify the need to hire foreigners, the procedure has now been considerably simplified. To obtain a visa for work for up to 90 days, the employee only needs the employer’s permission bearing a note from the Employment Agency. Those taking a job for a period of 3 to 9 months must additionally obtain permission from the Ministry of the Interior, but this procedure is not complicated either.

A company in Bulgaria

Citizens of countries outside the EU cannot buy land in Bulgaria. Despite this law, many foreigners acquire houses with plots. The secret is simple: the land is bought in the name of a company.

Any foreigner can set up a legal entity. This is a straightforward and accessible procedure. The company is not required to carry out any activity; the main thing is to pay taxes and file reports on time. Land and any other property can be registered in the name of the legal entity.

Important: owning a company, even a successfully operating one, does not give the right to a long-term residence permit. Your own company will help you obtain a residence permit only if it employs at least ten Bulgarian citizens for each founder (and they work full-time). In all other cases the owner of the company may come to Bulgaria on a business visa for up to 90 days, but has no right to reside in the country permanently.

If you need to stay in Bulgaria for a long period, you should see to other grounds for a long-term residence permit. Despite all the changes in the legislation and the tightening of requirements, a trade representative office remains the most accessible and widespread basis. Thus, the owner of a company can obtain a residence permit as a trade representative, after which he gains the opportunity to develop his business in Bulgaria without leaving the country.

Company registration in Bulgaria

Registration of a Trade Representative Office in Bulgaria

Long-term residence permit in Bulgaria

Accounting services

Work in Bulgaria

Contacts

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