How to obtain EU long-term resident status in Bulgaria: calculating the 5 years and permitted breaks

Under Article 24g of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria (ZChRB), foreign nationals who have legally resided in the country for 5 years may apply for a special pan-European status — EU long-term resident status («дългосрочно пребиваване в Европейския съюз»).

Mandatory conditions and the residence qualifying period

The main requirement for obtaining EU long-term resident status is lawful and uninterrupted presence in Bulgaria during the 5 years preceding the application. Continuity means the timely renewal of the long-term residence permit or another lawful residence authorisation.

Limits on absence from the country:

Travel outside Bulgaria (including to other EU countries) is allowed, but the periods of absence are strictly regulated by European Union legislation:

No more than 6 consecutive months (per single trip);

No more than 10 months in total over the entire 5-year period.

Rules for counting the 5-year period

By no means all types of stay in Bulgaria count towards this five-year record.

What does NOT count at all towards the period for EU long-term resident status:

Stay as staff of diplomatic or consular missions or as members of their families;

Stay as participants of international organisations accredited in Bulgaria and as members of their families;

Temporary presence in the country: work under an au pair programme, seasonal work, provision of cross-border services and business trips;

Cases where the foreigner's residence permit was initially formally limited by law.

What counts partially or on special terms:

Students, pupils and trainees (Art. 24v ZChRB): Their period of study counts at a rate of 50% (for example, 4 years of university study equal 2 years of the record for EU long-term resident status).

Persons with international protection: The 5-year period includes the time from the filing of the application for protection until the date of receipt of the Bulgarian identity document. If this process took more than 18 months, the period counts in full. If less than 18 months — only half of it counts.

Important: Pending proceedings for granting international protection, as well as holding a residence permit in another EU country on the basis of other types of protection (other than international), do not give the right to obtain EU long-term resident status.

List of required documents (current for 2026)

To file an application with the Migration Directorate, a foreigner must prepare a package of documents. All foreign certificates must be translated into Bulgarian and officially legalised.

Application in the prescribed form.

Foreign passport: Valid for at least another 3 months on the date of filing. Plain copies of the first page and of all pages with stamps or visas are submitted.

Proof of financial means: A certificate from a Bulgarian bank confirming funds in a personal account. The amount must be no less than 12 Bulgarian minimum monthly wages (as of 01.01.2026 the minimum wage is €620) — at least €7,440.

Housing: Documents confirming ownership of a home (title deed) or a long-term lease (notarised lease agreement and a notarised address declaration from the owner).

Medical insurance: A valid insurance policy for foreigners with coverage of at least €30,000 for the entire period (not required for persons insured under Bulgaria's compulsory health insurance system — NZOK).

Certificate of no criminal record: Issued in the home country or the country of permanent residence no earlier than 5 months before the day of filing (with a legalised translation).

Receipt for payment of the document processing fee of €5.11 (equivalent to 10 leva).

Procedure and authorities

Filing the application: Carried out in person by the foreign national at the regional migration office of the regional police department (MVR) at their place of residence. Documents may be filed immediately after the required 5 years have elapsed.

Review: The basic review period for the application is 2 months. During this time the foreigner must remain legally in the country (the current long-term residence permit status must be valid). If additional checks or requests for documents are necessary, the head of the authority may extend the period by another 2 months.

Outcome: On the basis of the documents submitted, the head of the regional migration department issues an official order granting the foreigner EU long-term resident status.

Final payments and issuance of the personal card

After a positive decision, the applicant must pay the fees, converted into euro:

State fee for granting EU long-term resident status: A one-off payment of €56.24 (equivalent to 110 leva). Please note: this status is significantly cheaper than a permanent residence permit, the fee for which is €511.29.

Production of the plastic card (EU long-term resident's residence permit): The card is issued for a period of 5 years, after which it is renewed under a simplified technical procedure.

Standard rate (30 days): €23.01 (equivalent to 45 leva).