Bulgaria Golden Visa: Permanent Residence by Investment

What is the Bulgaria Golden Visa, and does it grant permanent residence

• The Bulgaria Golden Visa grants permanent residence to non-EU investors and their families through an investment in an FSC-licensed fund. The whole family can live, study, and work in Bulgaria with no time limit and travel within the Schengen Area under the short-stay rules. It can also be a first step on the pathway to naturalization if you meet the residence, language, and integration requirements set by law.

Is a fund investment risky

• Yes. A fund investment carries risk: the fund's value moves with the market, and neither returns nor the recovery of your capital is guaranteed. Qualifying funds must be licensed and supervised by the Bulgarian FSC. IMM Group carries out thorough due diligence on the fund and on your source-of-funds documents before any agreement is signed, to help manage risk. Read the fund's offering documents carefully before you decide.

Can I withdraw my capital, and when

• Under the program rules, you must hold the investment for at least 5 years. After that, you may withdraw your capital and keep your permanent residence. The exact timing and conditions depend on the type of fund and its offering documents — contact IMM Group for advice on your case.

How many days a year do I need to spend in Bulgaria

• For the first 5 years, the program does not require you to live in Bulgaria. After 5 years, you need only visit an EU country once a year and Bulgaria once every 6 years to keep your card. If you plan to apply for naturalization later, you will need to meet the residence and integration requirements under Bulgarian law.

Is Bulgaria in the Schengen Area, and does it use the euro

• Yes. Bulgaria became a full member of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, when land border controls were lifted, and adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, at the fixed conversion rate of €1 = BGN 1.95583. This makes travel and financial transactions in Bulgaria easier for investors.

Who can be included in the application

• The application can include your legal spouse (married for at least 5 years) and children under 18. Dependents must pass security and background checks. Every family's situation is different — contact IMM Group for advice on who can be included and which documents to prepare.

Is documenting the source of funds complicated

• You need to show that your investment capital comes from a lawful source. The requirements are generally lighter than those of some programs in the United States, Australia, and Canada, but every family documents its funds differently (business income, property sales, savings, and so on). IMM Group reviews your file and advises on the right process for documenting your source of funds.