Formal requirements
Bulgaria does not currently offer a citizenship by investment program.
In March 2022, the procedure for acquiring citizenship through investment in Bulgaria was permanently terminated, but the option of granting residence permits in Bulgaria in exchange for investment was retained.
Other investment opportunities
Bulgaria provides for various possibilities for obtaining the right of residence through investment:
Long-term residence (up to one year):
investing an amount of not less than BGN 600 000 - per foreigner, to acquire the right of ownership over real estate on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
investing in economically disadvantaged regions by contributing to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company not less than BGN 250 000, where the foreigner is a partner or shareholder with registered shares and owns not less than 50 % of the capital of the company and as a result of the investment new fixed tangible and intangible assets of a value not less than BGN 250 000 are acquired and at least 5 jobs for Bulgarian citizens are created and maintained for the duration of the residency;
Permanent residence (undefined period) in:
shares or bonds of Bulgarian commercial companies traded on a regulated market or multilateral trading system in Bulgaria, with a market value of not less than BGN 2 000 000;
rights under concession contracts on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a contract value of not less than BGN 1 000 000;
shares with a value of not less than BGN 1 000 000 in collective investment schemes originating in Bulgaria,
shares with a value of not less than BGN 1 000 000 in alternative investment funds established in Bulgaria, managed by persons managing alternative investment funds originating in Bulgaria.
have invested by contributing to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company an amount not less than BGN 2 000 000 for a priority investment project carried out by the company, certified under certain conditions and procedures;
have invested in the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company which shares are not traded on a regulated market an amount not less than BGN 6 000 000;
Documents that are generally required when applying for any type of residency are as follows: visa type D, valid passport, criminal record, proof of secure accommodation and sufficient means of support, medical insurance. Depending on the type of investment concerned, other documents/certificates are required, most often issued by the Bulgarian Investment Agency or the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
Document link for further information.