Long-term residence permit for freelancers: freelance activity permit

A person who has obtained the right to carry out freelance activity in Bulgaria may obtain a long-term residence permit on this basis. This possibility is provided for in Art. 24, para. 1, item 15 of the ZChRB. And Art. 24a states that a foreign freelancer must first obtain a permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The Law on Labour Migration and Labour Mobility also provides for obtaining such a permit.

Obtaining the permit (licence)

“Дейност на свободна практика” is any professional economic activity carried out independently, “for oneself”, and not for a third-party employer. At the same time, a type D visa on this basis is not issued to foreigners in the cases listed in Art. 24, para. 1 – 13 and 16 – 20 of the ZChRB. The first stage is obtaining a licence from the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. To obtain the licence, a foreign national must submit the following documents:

An application for issuance of the permit.

A copy of the pages of the international passport with personal data.

Two colour photographs.

A brief description of the freelance activity (purpose, type, nature).

A plan of activities for the entire period during which the freelance practice in Bulgaria is planned to be carried out. It must be drawn up in accordance with the requirements set out in the Regulation on the implementation of the Law on Labour Migration and Labour Mobility.

Documentary evidence that the applicant has at least two years of experience in the profession.

A document confirming the availability of funds to implement the plan drawn up.

A certificate of proficiency in the state language of Bulgaria at B1 level or higher.

A document confirming that all conditions have been met for practising a professional activity included in the list of regulated professions in Bulgaria.

Other documents – if necessary.

The plan of activities, which is a mandatory part of the set of documents for obtaining the long-term residence permit, must include:

a clear definition of the objectives of the activity;

information on the current state of the economic environment (external and internal);

identification of the market;

a description of the general trends in its development;

a financial justification;

a description of the possibilities of achieving results that can be measured in practice;

evidence of the economic and/or social effect of the freelance activity.

Procedure for obtaining the long-term residence permit

As with obtaining a residence permit on other grounds, a foreigner must first obtain a type D visa. It is required to enter Bulgarian territory with it. Then, no later than 2 weeks before the expiry date of the visa, the documents for the long-term residence permit must be submitted. The residence permit is issued for a maximum of 12 months. Two weeks before it expires, documents may be submitted to renew the long-term residence permit. In all cases the same set of documents is required. There are minor exceptions to this rule – they are noted in brackets. The type D visa can be obtained at a Bulgarian consulate in the country of lawful residence. The fee is 100 euro, the processing time is from 30 working days. The long-term residence permit is issued in Bulgaria by the migration service at the regional police directorate at the place of residence. The fee for processing the documents is 5.11 euro. After the permit is granted, a fee of 255.65 euro must be paid. At the same time, payment is made for the production of the plastic personal card.

List of documents:

An international passport valid for a further year and a half from the date of submission of the documents, as well as copies of its first spread and of the page with the stamp of the last entry into Bulgarian territory.

The personal card and a plain photocopy of it – for repeat submission.

A completed visa application form with a colour photograph (for the long-term residence permit – the corresponding application instead of the form).

A certificate of no criminal record. It is submitted only for the visa and for the initial issuance of the long-term residence permit. The document must be translated into Bulgarian and legalised. The certificate must have been issued no earlier than 5 months before the documents are submitted. Minors and stateless persons are exempt from the obligation to present this document.

Proof of housing in Bulgaria. For owners this is a title deed (copy), for tenants – accordingly, a lease agreement (notarised copy). A declaration of address (notarised copy) must be attached to the lease agreement. The signatures of the parties in these documents must be certified by a notary.

Medical insurance for the entire period of stay in the country, valid on the territory of Bulgaria. The insured sum is at least 60 thousand leva.

As proof of financial means – a certificate from any Bulgarian bank where the applicant has an account, confirming the availability of the required sum. It amounts to 6 minimum salaries when applying for a type D visa, and, accordingly, 12 minimum salaries when applying for the long-term residence permit. Note: (as of 01.01.2026 the minimum salary in Bulgaria is 620 euro);

A certified copy of the licence to carry out freelance activity issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.