Long-term residence permit for a trade representative of a foreign company in Bulgaria

One of the most sought-after grounds for obtaining a long-term residence permit in Bulgaria is the status of a commercial representative of a foreign organisation registered with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

A trade representative office is not a legal entity and has no right to conduct commercial activity on the territory of Bulgaria. Its functions are strictly limited to marketing, advertising the parent company, market research and the search for potential partners.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining the status

The process consists of preliminary registration with the Chamber and two subsequent immigration stages.

Registration and obtaining the documents: First you need to register the TRO with the BCCI (or be added to an existing one), providing the Chamber with evidence that the parent company's business is genuine. As a result, a TRO Certificate is issued.

Applying for a type D visa: In the country of their lawful residence, the representative submits the documents in person to the Bulgarian consulate.

Visa cost: 100 €.

Processing time: From 30 working days.

Result: A type D visa is issued for 180 days.

Obtaining the long-term residence permit in Bulgaria: After entering on the type D visa, you must apply in person to the Migration Directorate of the regional police department at your place of residence. The documents must be submitted no later than 10 working days before the visa expires.

Processing fee: 5.11 €.

Permit fee (after approval): 255.65 € (the status is granted for 1 year).

Production of the personal card: The plastic ID card is paid for separately depending on the chosen urgency tariff.

Financial requirements and costs in euro (€)

All state duties, fees and bank balance requirements are calculated exclusively in euro (€). The financial threshold is tied to the minimum wage in Bulgaria, which from 1 January 2026 is 620 €.

Personal account in a Bulgarian bank: The representative must provide an official certificate confirming an open account and the funds held in it:

For the type D visa (for 6 months): at least 6 minimum wages — 3 720 €.

For the long-term residence permit (for 1 year): at least 12 minimum wages — 7 440 €.

Medical insurance: A specialised policy for foreigners with coverage of at least 30 000 € (the equivalent of the former 60 000 leva), valid on the territory of Bulgaria for the entire period of residence.

Strict requirements for the parent company and the limits

To rule out the registration of “shell” firms, the BCCI and the migration authorities carry out a thorough check against the following criteria:

Quota of up to 2 representatives: On the basis of a single foreign company, no more than two commercial representatives may obtain a long-term residence permit in Bulgaria.

Length of the business's operation: The foreign parent organisation must have been actively and lawfully operating in the market of its own country for at least two years before the documents are submitted to the BCCI.

Taxes and activity: The company must duly pay all taxes and charges at home and confirm its real financial activity and turnover over the last 2 years.

Real office: The trade representative office must have genuine commercial premises (an office) on the territory of Bulgaria in order to carry out its presentation activity.

List of required documents

All foreign documents must be translated into Bulgarian by a licensed translator and legalised (bear an apostille).

1. For registering the TRO with the BCCI (from the parent company):

Extract from the state register on the registration of the foreign company.

Certificate of the tax numbers assigned to the legal entity (KPP/INN).

Certificate confirming the absence of even minimal debts on taxes and charges in the country of incorporation.

Official financial documents confirming the company's economic activity over the last 2 years.

Justification of the need to open a representative office in Bulgaria and a detailed plan of the TRO's work for the coming year.

Minutes of the general meeting of the founders on opening the TRO and appointing the specific representatives (no more than two).

Notarised power of attorney for the representative and a notarised specimen of their signature.

Copy of the representative's passport.

Documents for the office: A notarised copy of the lease agreement for the commercial premises (for a term of at least one year) or the title deed to the property where the TRO's office will be registered.

1. The representative's personal set of documents (for the type D visa and the long-term residence permit):

BCCI Certificate: The main confirmation of the grounds. The document is valid strictly for 1 month from the date of issue, so it is ordered last, before submission to the consulate or to Migration.

International passport: Validity — at least 1.5 years (18 months) from the day the documents are submitted. Copies of the first spread and of the page with the stamp of the last entry are required.

Application: A legibly completed visa application form with a colour photo (for the visa) or an application of the prescribed form (for the residence permit).

Proof of housing in Bulgaria: A title deed (for owners) or notarised copies of the housing lease agreement and an address declaration from the owner of the flat (for tenants).

Statement from a Bulgarian bank: A certificate confirming the funds (3 720 € or 7 440 €).

Medical insurance: With coverage from 30 000 €.

Certificate of no criminal record: The original with a legalised translation. At the time of submission the document must remain valid for at least 1 more month. Not required for stateless persons.

Copy of the residence permit card: Provided only when the status is subsequently extended.

Annual extension and cancellation of the status

The long-term residence permit is extended every year directly in Bulgaria. The documents are submitted to the Migration Directorate no later than 2 weeks before the current permit expires. On extension, the standard fees are paid (5.11 € for processing and 255.65 € for the annual permit).

An important advantage: When extending annually within Bulgaria, there is no need to provide the certificate of no criminal record from the country of origin again.

To obtain a new BCCI Certificate (which is requested afresh every year), the founding powers of attorney and signature specimens are no longer needed. However, the representative must provide an official report on the trade representative office's activity over the past year in Bulgarian.

⚠️ Strict control: The BCCI immediately notifies the migration service of any changes in the circumstances of the TRO's registration. If the parent company closes, accumulates debts at home or officially withdraws from the services of a particular representative, the foreigner instantly loses the lawful right to stay in Bulgaria and their residence permit is cancelled.