Bulgarian citizenship by investment

Buy Bulgarian citizenship by investing in Bulgarian companies or mutual funds

Fast track Bulgarian citizenship

Following the 2021 amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, adopted by the National Assembly, Bulgaria offers new options for obtaining citizenship by investment. These amendments allow non-EU citizens to practically buy Bulgarian citizenship by investing in the economy of the country. Current legislation offers four different types of investment:

1. Investment in shares of Bulgarian commercial companies traded on a regulated market or a multilateral trading system in the Republic of Bulgaria, at a market value of not less than BGN 2,000,000.
2. Purchase of shares or stocks in collective investment schemes (mutual funds) originating in the Republic of Bulgaria, with a value of not less than BGN 1,000,000.
3. Shares in alternative investment funds established in the Republic of Bulgaria with a value of not less than BGN 1,000,000.
4. Contribution to the capital of a Bulgarian commercial company in the amount of not less than BGN 2,000,000 for a priority investment project in Bulgaria implemented by the company.

Any of the above investments grants directly Bulgarian residence permit to the investor and to their families (spouses and children under 18). A second investment at the same value during the second year from obtaining the residence permit grants citizenship. Thus, a non-EU citizen can get an EU permanent ID card for less than 6 months and an EU passport for two-three years.

The investors are free to purchase shares from different issuers and to make an investment portfolio at their own discretion. Using the service and advise of a Bulgarian Broker who is well-acquainted with the specifics of the Bulgarian stock market is highly recommendable.

A further advantage of this fast-track Bulgarian citizenship option is that the applicant is involved with bureaucracy procedures at a minimum. Almost everything can be arranged from a distance via a power of attorney given to a Bulgarian immigration lawyer. The whole process from making the investment to obtaining Bulgarian citizenship requires no more than two-three trips to Bulgaria and a visit to a Bulgarian embassy depending on the applicant’s current residency. The fact that the procedure is consuming a little time and efforts on behalf of the applicant makes it a preferred option by well-to-do businessmen who don’t have time to spend in sluggish administrative procedures.

Applicants are required to have address in Bulgaria though, but this requirement is common for all countries which offer EU citizenship for sale. Bulgaria’s advantage is that rental prices of real properties are very low as compared to other European countries. Anyone can rent a decent apartment for approximately 200-300 Euro per month which definitely costs less than a night stay in a good hotel in Europe.

Positive features of the citizenship by investment program are that foreigners and their family members who apply under this program are not required to learn Bulgarian language or to stay physically in Bulgaria.

The procedure described above is simple and 100 % perfectly legal and secure but obviously there are only a few who can afford it. No doubt this is an expensive option but this was exactly the idea of Bulgarian authorities when they launched the program. The fast-track Bulgarian citizenship option is deliberately intended to wealthy investors, people from high societies from non-European countries who wish to have a second citizenship in the European Union for themselves or their families. Furthermore, we are bound to mention that this option is for people who can prove the origin of their funds and can show a clean criminal record and good reputation.

Last but not least, anyone who wishes to apply should be ready to keep the investment for a total period of 5 years.

If you match the above criteria, please do not hesitate to contact our immigration legal team.