Long-term residence permit for family members of foreigners with asylum or humanitarian status

Family members of foreign nationals who have been granted asylum, temporary protection or humanitarian status in Bulgaria have a legal right to obtain a long-term residence permit. This is possible provided that the host foreigner already holds a permit to stay in the country valid for at least one year.

Step-by-step family reunification procedure

The process is divided into preliminary approval inside Bulgaria and the subsequent immigration stages for the family members.

Stage 1: Filing the reunification application (in Bulgaria)

The host foreigner wishing to be reunited with their family applies in person to the Migration Directorate of the regional police department at their place of residence and submits an application on the prescribed form (form No. 3).

Review period: The decision is taken within 15 days from the date of filing.

Outcome: The migration service officially notifies the Bulgarian consulate in the country where the family members are located of the approval, which entitles them to a simplified visa procedure.

Stage 2: Obtaining the type D visa (in the family members' home country)

Once approval has been granted, the family members apply in person to the Bulgarian consulate on the basis of the permit or official certificate issued.

Visa fee: €100.

Outcome: A long-stay type D visa is issued, with which the holder must enter Bulgaria.

Stage 3: Obtaining the long-term residence permit (in Bulgaria)

After arriving in the country, family members must appear in person at the Migration Directorate no later than two weeks (14 days) before the type D visa expires in order to have their personal residence cards issued.

Financial requirements and state fees in euro (€)

With Bulgaria's transition to the euro (€), all financial figures are set in the single European currency. The minimum wage in Bulgaria as of 1 January 2026 is €620.

Sufficient means requirement: The host must prove that they have funds to support the family amounting to at least one Bulgarian minimum wage for each month of each family member's stay (a minimum of €620 per month per person). The funds are evidenced by a certificate from a Bulgarian bank.

Document review fee: €5.11 (the equivalent of 10 leva).

Annual state fee for the long-term residence permit: €76.69 (the equivalent of 150 leva) — paid for each family member after approval is granted.

Production of the personal plastic card: Paid separately, depending on the chosen issuing speed:

Standard service (30 days): €23.01 (the equivalent of 45 leva).

Fast service (15 days): €46.02 (the equivalent of 90 leva).

Express service (2 days): €127.82 (the equivalent of 250 leva).

List of required documents

All foreign documents, certificates and statements must be officially translated into Bulgarian by a licensed translator and legalised (bear an apostille). Documents evidencing family ties and the right to maintenance must be recognised in accordance with Bulgarian law.

1. Set of documents from the host foreigner in Bulgaria (for approval):

Application on form No. 3.

Copy of the international passport (the page with the photograph; the passport must be valid for at least 6 months).

Official proof of housing (title deed or notarised lease agreement with an address declaration).

Statement from a Bulgarian bank (at least €620 per person for each month of the planned stay).

Marriage certificate or birth certificates of children (under 18).

Criminal record certificate from the country of origin (issued no earlier than 5 months before filing, translated and legalised). The document is not required for minors and stateless persons.

Additional documents confirming the obligation to support the family members or the need to care for them on medical grounds (if applicable).

1. Set of documents from the family members (for the type D visa and the Migration Directorate):

International passport with copies of the main pages.

Legibly completed visa application form with a colour photograph (for the consulate) or an application on the prescribed form (for the Migration Directorate).

Medical insurance for foreigners with coverage of at least €30,000, valid in Bulgaria.

Evidence of housing and of financial means for living (the host party's documents are provided).

Criminal record certificate (with a legalised translation; not required for minors, stateless persons, or when the permit is subsequently renewed).

Originals and copies of birth/marriage certificates to prove the family relationship.

Official reunification permit or an official certificate on the permitted stay of the foreigner being joined.

Medical documents confirming serious health problems because of which the family member objectively requires care and reunification.

Annual renewal of the status

The residence permit is renewed every year provided that the grounds (the host's status and the family ties) remain in place. The application to the Migration Directorate for renewal must be made no later than two weeks before the current permit expires.

When documents are filed again inside Bulgaria, the same set of documents is submitted together with a copy of the current personal card; however, the criminal record certificate does not need to be provided again.