Changes in obtaining permanent residence permit status

What it used to be

Permanent residence permit status gives the right to live in the country permanently, with practically the same rights as Bulgarian citizens. Of course, you cannot vote on equal terms with citizens, nor travel around the EU without a visa, but you can work as an employee and do without health insurance for foreigners. In addition, there is no need to confirm the grounds for staying in the country every year, gathering a stack of papers and paying fees.

The status is granted indefinitely, and only upon obtaining it do you need to pay 1000 lv (this does not apply to persons of Bulgarian origin, who pay only 50 leva)

Until recently, the equivalent of the “identity card” was issued to the happy holders of a permanent residence permit for the period of validity of their international passport. After that, a new card could be obtained without paying any additional fees, and one could live in Bulgaria without concern for as long as the new identity document was valid.

What it is now

At the end of May 2016, notices appeared in the migration offices stating that from 21.05.2016 onwards, amendments to the Law on Bulgarian Personal Documents came into force. Now, pursuant to Art. 59, para. 2, item 2, a permanent residence permit can be obtained for the period of validity of the document certifying the foreigner’s identity (the international passport), but for no more than a five-year term.

The second amendment (Art. 59, para. 2, item 2a) concerns family members of Bulgarian citizens. In this case, a permanent residence permit can be obtained for the period of validity of the international passport, but the term cannot exceed five years. The document is issued to those who have obtained the right to permanent residence on the basis of Article 25, para. 1, item 11 of the ZChRB, i.e. to family members of Bulgarian citizens who have been on the territory of the country for a five-year term. Thus, the changes affect not only those who came to Bulgaria as a pensioner, a trade representative or on other grounds, but also the spouses of the country’s citizens.

Everyone who deals with obtaining permanent residence permit status after 21 May receives the corresponding document valid until 2021 at the latest.

In order not to lose permanent residence permit status, you must stay in Bulgaria for at least 1 day per year.

What comes next

So far there is nothing in the laws to indicate that permanent residence permit status has ceased to be indefinite. That is, one may assume that after five years it will simply be necessary to replace the Bulgarian documents without paying additional fees (other than for issuing the card). But it is still too early to draw conclusions: some amendments to the laws may be in preparation.

Let us hope for the best!

How to obtain a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria?

Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation

Bulgarian citizenship by origin

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