Long-term residence permit in Bulgaria: grounds for obtaining it and the type D visa

A Bulgarian residence permit may be needed by anyone who wants to stay in the country for an extended period. What is required to obtain this status? Let us look at the grounds on which you can relocate.

Anyone planning to stay in Bulgaria for more than ninety days per six months or to move here to live needs to obtain a long-term residence permit, i.e. temporary residence. Without this status it is impossible to obtain a permanent residence permit or citizenship: the only exception is persons of Bulgarian origin who have received the corresponding certificate from the state agency DABCH.

To obtain a long-term residence permit you must enter Bulgaria on a long-stay visa (type D). In turn, both for obtaining such a visa and for obtaining a residence permit, grounds are required. The list of such grounds is set out in the law on foreigners in Bulgaria (Закон за Чужденците в Република България, or ZChRB for short). Who will find it easiest to obtain a long-term residence permit in the country? The law provides this possibility for various categories of foreigners. Let us look at the different options.