5 dangerous myths about what a national residence card allows you to do in the Schengen area
Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area has given rise to many distorted ideas about the rights and opportunities of holders of a residence permit (long-term residence permit / продължително пребиваване). Agency brochures often promise “the freedom to live and work anywhere in Europe”. However, a national long-term residence permit issued by one EU country is by no means equivalent to a passport or to the status of an EU citizen.
We go through the main myths and the legal realities, so that you do not end up facing deportation, fines or the cancellation of your status.
Reality: A Bulgarian long-term residence permit card gives you the right to stay in other Schengen countries strictly under the tourist rule of 90 days within any 180-day period. Staying in another EU country beyond that period without a local residence permit is a breach of the immigration rules.
As for living in Bulgaria itself: Holding a Bulgarian long-term residence permit does not oblige a third-country national to stay in Bulgaria permanently in order to renew it each year — the foreigner may move freely around the EU or hold a residence permit in another country of the union (the key legal requirement is not to be absent from EU territory for more than 12 consecutive months and to renew the documents on time).
Important note: These rules do not apply to European Union citizens holding a long-term residence permit in Bulgaria — for them the right of residence is governed by separate EU legislation, under which an absence from Bulgaria of more than 6 months in a year leads to the loss of status.
Reality: A work permit (access to the labour market) issued by Bulgaria is valid EXCLUSIVELY on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. You have no right to take up employment in Germany, Italy or other EU countries without obtaining a local work permit.
Reality: A direct mechanism for “converting” or automatically exchanging one country’s residence permit for another’s within the European Union DOES NOT EXIST. To move to another EU country, you will have to submit a separate set of documents from scratch at that country’s consulate on new grounds.
Reality: Tax residence is determined not by where your personal card was issued, but by the 183-day rule and by the centre of your vital interests. If you actually live in Germany for more than 183 days, you are obliged to pay taxes in Germany at their rates, even if you hold a Bulgarian long-term residence permit card.
Reality: The five-year qualifying period for obtaining permanent residence or citizenship is counted strictly within the country that issued the residence permit. Years spent living under a long-term residence permit in Bulgaria give you the right to apply for EU long-term resident status/a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria, but if you move to another EU country, your qualifying period of residence starts again from zero.
| Area / Right | What a Bulgarian long-term residence permit DOES give | What a Bulgarian long-term residence permit DOES NOT give |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free entry to the Schengen area | YES (tourist regime: 90 days out of 180) | NO (does not grant the right to reside permanently outside Bulgaria) |
| Right to work | YES (only within Bulgaria) | NO (salaried employment in other EU countries is prohibited) |
| Running a business | YES (registering an OOD (LLC)/EOOD (single-member LLC) in Bulgaria) | NO (does not grant the right to run an operating business in the EU without a branch) |
| Healthcare and education | YES (access to the Bulgarian system) | NO (in other EU countries, only emergency care under insurance) |
| Status prospects | YES (a path to EU long-term resident status / a Bulgarian permanent residence permit) | NO (years spent in Bulgaria do not count towards a permanent residence permit in other EU countries) |
A Bulgarian long-term residence permit is an excellent tool for living legally in a comfortable EU country with low taxes, as well as for travelling freely around the Schengen area without visas. However, it should not be seen as a “fallback option” for unconditional living or working in Western Europe. When planning your move, rely on the actual provisions of the law, not on the promises of intermediaries!
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ImmigrationObtaining a long-term residence permit on the grounds of "family reunification" (Art. 24, para. 1, item 13 or Art. 25b of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria — ЗЧРБ) directly ties the legal status of one spouse to the marriage remaining in force.
ImmigrationDocumented Bulgarian origin is an excellent foundation for legalising your status in Bulgaria and obtaining status in the European Union. In practice, however, many people make a common mistake: once they have gathered the set of documents, they immediately apply for Bulgarian citizenship.
ImmigrationThe family reunification procedure in Bulgaria differs considerably depending on the legal status of the person the relatives are moving to join. The key differences concern the need for prior approval from the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior and the visa regime.
This article describes the general procedure. Your situation almost always has specifics — tell us about it and we will point out the shortest route.
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