Q: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply? The Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Programme is only open to non-EU nationals. Main applicants must be over the age of 18, possess sufficient funds to make an investment, and have a clean criminal record. Which family members can I include in my application? Unlike other citizenship by investment programmes, a main applicant cannot include family members in an application under the Programme. Eligible family members can only apply for citizenship after the main applicant has obtained citizenship. However, under the fast-track option, the main applicant’s spouse is eligible to apply for citizenship one year after the main applicant, while children of the main applicant or of the spouse can apply for citizenship as soon as the main applicant obtains citizenship. Are citizens from certain countries barred from applying? Bulgaria does not implement bans based on an applicant’s country of citizenship. Is this programme for me? The following persons may be a good fit for the programme: Sophisticated investors seeking diverse investment options Individuals seeking wide global mobility Nuclear families seeking access to greater education opportunities

Question 1

Benefits of Bulgarian Citizenship

Accepted Answer

Citizenship of Bulgaria comes with a wide range of benefits, including:

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Citizenship for life, with the right to live, work, study, and travel in Bulgaria and the rest of the EU

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Citizenship can be passed down to future generations

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Economic citizens have the right to hold dual citizenship

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Opportunity to apply for an E-2 visa to the United States

Question 2

Investment Options

Accepted Answer

	After amendments passed in February 2021, applicants to the Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Programme can choose between several investment options. The investments shown below allow an applicant to receive citizenship after five years of nominal residence in Bulgaria. Note: for options 1 to 3 and option 4a, higher investment thresholds or additional investments are required if the applicant wants to fast-track his or her way to citizenship (with only three years of nominal residence). Under option 4b, applicants wishing to fast-track must double their investment and hire at least 20 Bulgarian nationals.
Option 01	STOCKS TRADED IN BULGARIA
	Investment option Stocks traded in Bulgaria	Amount €1,024,000
OPTION 02	UCITS
	Investment option	Amount
	UCITs (EU-regulated fund vehicles), including exchange-traded funds with a focus on Bulgaria	€512,000
OPTION 03	ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS
	Investment option	Amount
	Alternative investment funds (including private equity, venture, and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria	€512,000
OPTION 04	PARTICIPATION IN A BULGARIAN COMPANY
	Investment option	Amount
	a. Participation in a Bulgarian company carrying on a Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP)	€1,024,000
	b. Participation in a Bulgarian company employing 10 or more Bulgarian nationals	€257,000
	c. Participation in a Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography	€3,075,000
OPTION 05	INVESTMENT IN A CIP
	Investment option	Amount
	Investment in a Certified Investment Project (CIP)	Project-dependent

Question 3

Application Process

Accepted Answer

The application process in Bulgaria can be broken down into 8 steps:

Step 1: Choose one of the investment options and make the qualifying investment
Step 2: Submit type D visa application at Bulgarian Consulate
Step 3: Bulgarian Consulate issues a visa for entry into Bulgaria
Step 4: Once in Bulgaria, applicants can then apply for permanent residence
Step 5: Successful applicants can expect to obtain permanent residence within 6 to 9 months from application submission
Step 6: Applicants must make a second trip to Bulgaria to give biometrics for the issuance of the residence card
Step 7: Investors can apply for citizenship after either 5 years of residence or, if fast-tracked, 12 months of residence. If choosing the fast-track route, investors must make a second investment before applying for citizenship
Step 8: Successful applicants can expect to receive their citizenship certificate within 6 to 12 months from application submission

Question 4

Book Consultation

Accepted Answer

Book a free first consultation with one of our citizenship experts and discuss your individual requirements. Book A Consultation *Citizenship by investment programme requires a financial investment into the country.

Question 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Accepted Answer

Who is eligible to apply?

The Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Programme is only open to non-EU nationals. Main applicants must be over the age of 18, possess sufficient funds to make an investment, and have a clean criminal record.

Which family members can I include in my application?

Unlike other citizenship by investment programmes, a main applicant cannot include family members in an application under the Programme. Eligible family members can only apply for citizenship after the main applicant has obtained citizenship.

However, under the fast-track option, the main applicant’s spouse is eligible to apply for citizenship one year after the main applicant, while children of the main applicant or of the spouse can apply for citizenship as soon as the main applicant obtains citizenship.

Are citizens from certain countries barred from applying?

Bulgaria does not implement bans based on an applicant’s country of citizenship.

Is this programme for me?

The following persons may be a good fit for the programme:

Sophisticated investors seeking diverse investment options
Individuals seeking wide global mobility
Nuclear families seeking access to greater education opportunities

Citizenship by Investment

Bulgaria

Bulgaria Immigrant Investor Programme

Summary

MINIMUM INVESTMENT

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

PROCESSING TIME

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

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