RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR PENSIONERS

As in other cases, to obtain a residence permit, you first need to obtain a long-term visa (type D). This visa is issued for six months. It is necessary to cross the border of Bulgaria with it, about which an appropriate mark must be put in the passport. Documents for a residence permit are submitted no later than two weeks before the expiration of the permit to stay in the country. The application is processed within two weeks and costs 10 levs. A residence permit is issued for a maximum of a year. Two weeks before the end of the term, you can apply for an extension of the permit, if necessary. The applicant must confirm the basis on which he or she wants to obtain a visa, and then a residence permit.

For pensioners, the following documents act as confirmation of the ground:

• Pensioner's ID.
• A document from the authority paying the pension (an extract from the district office of the Pension Fund or the social security department). The certificate indicates the amount of pension payments for at least 3 months preceding the submission of documents for a visa.

The supporting documents must be translated into Bulgarian and legalized on the territory of the country. It is necessary to make their notarized copies. The requirement for translation and legalization also applies to all documents issued in another country in a language other than the state language in Bulgaria. In addition, a standard documentation package is required, common for most reasons:
• A completed visa application form with a current photo in color.
• Foreign passport. Its validity period must be at least one and a half years from the date of submission of documents. Its validity period must be at least one and a half years from the date of submission of documents. Additionally, it is necessary to make a photocopy of the first page spread and a spread with a stamp on the last border crossing when entering the country.
• Evidence that the candidate will be provided with housing. For those who rents housing - a notarized copy of the lease agreement with an address declaration, where the signatures of the parties must be certified by a notary. For homeowners - a copy of the title deed.
• Proof of funds for the entire period of stay in the country. It is a bank statement from a Bulgarian bank, which confirms the presence of the required amount on the candidate's account - at least 6 Bulgarian minimum pensions (in 2020 the amount is 250 * 6 = 1500 levs). If there is no account in a Bulgarian bank, and it is impossible to open it for some reason, you can use the services of a bank that has a subsidiary branch in Bulgaria. In this case, it is advisable to agree in advance with the consulate on the possibility of providing a certificate from this financial institution.

• A health insurance policy valid in the country for the entire period of stay. The amount of coverage must be at least 30 thousand euros. Insurance "for foreigners ", i.e. for foreigners are offered by many Bulgarian insurance companies.
• For adults - a police clearance certificate. The certificate must be issued a maximum of 5 months prior to submission. It should be translated and legalized. Only stateless persons should not submit this document.


Visa documents are accepted at the Bulgarian consulate. They are examined within at least 30 business days. The state fee is 100 euros. To obtain a residence permit, you will need the same package of documents with minor changes:
• The bank certificate must contain information that the account has an amount corresponding to at least twelve Bulgarian minimum pensions (in 2020 it is 3000 levs).
• Instead of an application for a visa, an application for a residence permit is filled out. Foreigners receive a residence permit at the place of residence in Bulgaria at the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Such directorates are located in regional cities. For the examination of documents, you need to pay 10 levs, after obtaining a residence permit, a fee of 500 levs and a fee for issuing a personal card - from 45 levs for the production of a document within a month are paid. If you wish, you can get the card faster. In this case, the tax will be 90 levs (production time - 15 days) or 250 levs (the card will be ready in 2 days). When prolonging a residence permit, you do not need to submit a police clearance certificate, but you will have to add to the standard package of documents the original and a simple copy of your personal card (pink residence permit card in Bulgaria). All taxes remain the same as for the initial receipt. After 5 years of holding the status, you can apply for permanent residence in the country or long-term - in the EU.