Increase in the minimum wage and pension in Bulgaria in 2022

Foreigners with a long-term residence permit and the increase in wages and pensions in Bulgaria

When applying for a type D visa and a long-term residence permit you must provide a bank statement certifying that the foreigner has sufficient means of subsistence. To apply for a long-stay visa or a residence permit for six months, the bank account must hold at least six minimum monthly wages for people of working age, and at least six minimum pensions for those intending to obtain a long-term residence permit on the basis of a pension. To obtain a residence permit for a one-year term, twice as much money will accordingly be required.

In 2021, when applying for a one-year long-term residence permit, young people needed to have 7800 leva in their bank account. From 2022 this amount will increase, and now you will need to have 8520 lv. in the account to obtain permission to stay in the country for a year.

Citizens receiving a pension, for whom in 2021 it was enough to show a statement confirming 3600 lv. in the account in order to obtain a one-year residence permit, must now have at least 4440 leva.

Those planning to immigrate to Bulgaria should take into account in advance both the scale of these amounts and the fact that the minimum wage and the minimum pension in Bulgaria are raised every year.

Foreigners with a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria: how the increase will affect them

Unemployed foreigners with a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status must pay monthly contributions to the compulsory health insurance system (for those in employment this is done by the employer). The amount of these contributions (здравни осигуровки) changes depending on the level of the minimum wage. In 2021 it was 26 leva. In 2022 unemployed persons will pay 28.4 leva per month.

Residence permit in Bulgaria (long-term residence permit)

Permanent residence permit in Bulgaria

Long-term residence authorisation — EU long-term resident status