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Bulgaria Retirement Visa and Residence Permit
A residence permit for people who receive a pension and want to live in Bulgaria. A mild climate, the sea and living costs that are low by EU standards.
Bulgaria's law on foreigners provides a residence permit specifically for retirees, which is what people usually mean by the Bulgaria retirement visa. The main condition is a regular pension that is enough to live on in Bulgaria. You do not need to work on this status, and you do not need to prove income from a business or an employer. You do need housing in the country, health insurance and a clean criminal record.
The procedure is standard for Bulgaria: first a D visa at a consulate, then the residence permit application inside the country. The permit is issued for one year and renewed as long as you still meet the conditions. After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence. We check your pension documents, arrange translations and legalization, and handle the filing and renewals.
Who it is for
- Retirees receiving an old-age or long-service pension
- Couples of retirement age
- People who want to live by the sea in an EU country with low living costs
- Retirees who want an EU residence permit without having to work
Requirements
- A pension, confirmed by documents from your pension authority
- A pension amount that is enough to live in Bulgaria under the official standards
- Housing in Bulgaria, rented or owned
- Health insurance
- No criminal record and no entry bans
- A D visa to enter for long-term stay
What we do
- Check your pension documents and the amount of your payments
- Put together the document list for you and your spouse
- Arrange translations into Bulgarian, apostilles and legalization
- Help you rent or register housing
- Prepare your D visa and residence permit applications
- Support you in collecting the card and with annual renewals
Key documents
- Passport
- Pension certificate or official letter confirming your pension
- Statement of the pension amount and record of payments received
- Lease or ownership documents for housing in Bulgaria
- Health insurance policy
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and translation
- Marriage certificate if you are moving as a couple
How it works
- Checkwe review your pension documents, payment amounts and family situation
- Documentscertificates, translations into Bulgarian, apostilles, housing and insurance
- D visaapplication at a Bulgarian consulate
- Residence permit in Bulgariaapplication to the migration office after you arrive
- Card and renewalcollecting the card, registering your address, then renewing every year
Timeline
First a D visa at a consulate, then the residence application in Bulgaria; the permit is issued for one year and renewed annually. Timing depends on the consulate and the migration office.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A pension below the standard or irregular payments are grounds for refusal
- Pension authority documents without legalization and translation will not be accepted
- A criminal record certificate goes out of date quickly
- Transferring your pension to a Bulgarian bank can sometimes be difficult, so plan it in advance
- Long absences from Bulgaria can get in the way of renewals and the residence period needed for permanent status
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $3,000. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How much pension do I need for the Bulgaria retirement visa?
Your pension must cover living costs in Bulgaria under standards set by the state. These standards are revised, so we confirm the exact figure for the date you apply. If you are moving as a couple, we take both spouses' income into account. If your pension falls short, additional savings can sometimes help.
Can I move with my spouse?
Yes. If your spouse also receives a pension, they can apply on their own. If not, they can apply as a family member of the retiree, provided the income is enough for two. You will need a marriage certificate with an apostille and translation.
Do I have to buy property in Bulgaria?
No, a lease agreement is enough. But your housing has to be documented for the full term of the residence permit. If you already own property in Bulgaria, the application is simpler.
Can I work on a retiree residence permit?
This status is designed for living on a pension, not for working in Bulgaria. If you plan to work or start a business, you need a different basis. We can tell you about the options if your plans change.
When can I get permanent residence?
After 5 years of continuous residence on a temporary permit, you can apply for permanent residence. For that, avoid long absences and renew your card on time. Permanent residence removes the need for annual renewals.
Where do I file the documents?
First at a Bulgarian consulate for the D visa. Then, once in Bulgaria, at the migration office for the residence permit. We tell you which documents to prepare for each stage so you do not have to translate anything twice.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
