Long-term residence permit as a family member of a foreigner living in Bulgaria

Family members of a foreigner legally residing in Bulgaria have the legal right to obtain a residence permit (long-term residence) in the country.

Who is entitled to reunification?

Under Article 24, para. 1, item 13 of the Law on Cohabitation and Migration (ZChRB), a long-term residence permit on this ground can be obtained by:

Spouses of a foreigner;

Minor children (under 18) of a foreigner who has obtained a long-term residence permit, EU long-term resident status or permanent residence permit in Bulgaria;

Guardians and minor children under guardianship.

Important: As soon as a child turns 18, he or she legally ceases to be considered a family member of the parents for the purposes of migration law and can no longer obtain or extend a long-term residence permit on this ground.

List of required documents

A separate, independent set of documents is prepared for each family member. All copies (lease agreements, address declarations, etc.) must be notarised.

Standard package:

Foreign passport + copies of the main page and of the page with the stamp of the last entry into Bulgaria. The passport must be valid for at least another 18 months at the time of filing.

Proof of housing in Bulgaria: A title deed to the property OR a lease agreement, necessarily accompanied by a notarised address declaration from the owner.

Tip: When drawing up the lease agreement, be sure to include in it all family members with the right of residence.

Proof of financial means: A certificate from a Bulgarian bank confirming the funds in the account.

From 1 January 2026 the minimum wage in Bulgaria is 620 €. The account must hold an amount equivalent to the minimum salaries for the entire period of residence.

For children and spouses: It is not mandatory to open a separate account for the child/spouse. A certificate from the main applicant's account is accepted, supported by a notarised declaration of full financial support and coverage of all the family member's expenses.

Criminal record certificate: Issued no earlier than 5 months before filing (apostille/legalisation and an official translation are required). Minor children (under 18) and stateless persons do not submit this certificate.

Medical insurance: Issued for 1 year for foreigners, with coverage of at least 30 000 €.

Application: A completed type D visa application form (when filing at the consulate) or an application for a long-term residence permit (when filing in Bulgaria).

Documents confirming the ground (family relationship):

Notification (decision) of the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria with a positive opinion on family reunification (copy).

A copy of the identity card of the foreigner to whom the reunification is linked.

Documents on the family relationship (a notarised copy, translation into Bulgarian and legalisation are mandatory):

Marriage certificate — for spouses.

Birth certificate — for children under 18.

Declaration of parental consent (notarised) — required when a minor child is reunited with one of the parents (the consent of the other parent to the child's residence in Bulgaria).

Step-by-step procedure

The reunification procedure takes place in two key stages: first the host party obtains permission in Bulgaria, then the family members receive a visa and enter the country.

Stage 1: Obtaining permission in Bulgaria (done by the host foreigner)

A foreigner who already has legal status in Bulgaria applies in person to the Migration Directorate at the place of residence and submits the documents for reunification. Copies of the family members' passports, documents on the family relationship and the consent of the second parent (if applicable) are attached to the application.

Processing time: Up to 1 month.

Result: Issuance of an official notification of the right to reunification.

Stage 2: Obtaining a type D visa (done by the family members being reunited)

With the permission obtained, the spouse or children apply to the Bulgarian consulate in their country of legal residence to obtain a type D visa.

Processing fee: 100 €.

Processing time: From 30 working days.

Stage 3: Applying for a long-term residence permit in Bulgaria

After entering Bulgaria on a type D visa, an application for a long-term residence permit must be filed with the local Migration office (no later than 2 weeks before the visa expires).

Document processing time: 14 days.

Processing fee: 5.11 €.

Permit fee (after approval): 255.65 €. On the basis of this payment the personal resident card is produced.

Extending the status

The annual extension of the "family member" long-term residence permit is noticeably simpler. A criminal record certificate does not need to be provided again. Only a copy of the current personal card is added to the standard package of financial and housing documents