Residency & Golden Visas / Bulgaria / Route
Bulgaria · Residency route
Obtain Bulgarian residency through investment in a government-approved Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with EU benefits and family inclusion.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Advising UAE residents on European residency from our Dubai office.
Bulgaria in 2026: what has changed
There is no Bulgarian citizenship by investment. It was repealed by an amending law published in the State Gazette, issue 26 of 1 April 2022, which struck out articles 12a and 14a of the Citizenship Act. No investment route to Bulgarian citizenship has existed since then.
But Bulgaria joined Schengen in full on 1 January 2025, and adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. Both are good news for a residence applicant, the Schengen membership above all: a Bulgarian residence permit now carries Schengen mobility.
Since 1 January 2026 the investor-residence thresholds are expressed in euro. XIPHIAS confirms the current euro threshold for your route in writing with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior before filing, and before you commit any funds.
One thing to settle before you start
These are residency programmes, not citizenship. That distinction matters more for an Indian passport holder than for most, because India does not permit dual citizenship: under Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955, voluntarily acquiring another citizenship ends your Indian citizenship automatically.
Holding European residency does not affect your Indian citizenship at all. Only naturalising would. So the residence permit is the safe part; the decision point comes years later, if and when you choose to naturalise.
Talk to a European residency consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has guided families into Europe since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the current rules, costs and timeline.
Sources
- Bulgarian Ministry of Interior — Migration Directorate
- Държавен вестник — Bulgarian State Gazette
- Council Decision (EU) 2024/3212 — full Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania
Verified against government and EU sources on 30 September 2026.
What you getالمزايا
Bulgarian permanent residence, with Schengen mobility — Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025
Include spouse, dependent children up to 18, and parents from 65
Access to healthcare and education in Bulgaria
Investment structured under a regulated Alternative Investment Fund
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Applicant must be 18 years or older and of sound financial standing
No criminal record and medically fit
Qualifying investment in a government-approved AIF at the current euro threshold, confirmed by XIPHIAS with the Migration Directorate before filing
Valid passport and proof of source of funds
Who cannot apply
Criminal conviction or pending legal proceedings
Fraudulent financial declarations or document falsification
Ineligibility due to sanctions or restricted nationalities
The processكيف نعمل
Choose AIF route and select government-approved fund
Submit application with financial, identity, and compliance documents
Pay application and government processing fees
Subscribe to the AIF at the current euro threshold and obtain the investment certificate from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth
Await residency permit approval from Bulgarian authorities
Receive residence permit and maintain investment for minimum 5 years
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity
Certified copies and translations may be required.
- ✦Valid passport
- ✦Birth certificate
- ✦Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Financial
Demonstrates legitimate source of funds.
- ✦Bank statements for last 12 months
- ✦Proof of income/assets
Compliance
Ensures health and character requirements are met.
- ✦Police clearance certificate
- ✦Medical report
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Family scopeالأسرة
All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.
Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.
Risk notes
Bulgaria abolished citizenship by investment. The amending law was published in Държавен вестник issue 26 of 1 April 2022, repealing articles 12a and 14a of the Citizenship Act. No investment route to Bulgarian citizenship has existed since then.
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, and the investor-residence thresholds are now expressed in euro. XIPHIAS confirms the current euro threshold for this route with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior before filing, and in writing before you commit funds.
This is a residence route. Bulgarian citizenship follows the ordinary naturalisation rules, not an investment shortcut.
AIF investment is subject to market and fund performance.
Compliance
Citizenship by investment was repealed with effect from the publication of the amending law in Държавен вестник issue 26, 1 April 2022.
Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025 under Council Decision (EU) 2024/3212. Bulgarian residence now carries Schengen mobility.
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026.
XIPHIAS obtains the current euro threshold for each investor route in writing from the Migration Directorate before a client commits funds.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, and the investor-residence thresholds are now expressed in euro. XIPHIAS confirms the current euro threshold for this route with the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior before filing, and in writing before you commit funds.
Start the Bulgaria route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.