Bulgaria Citizenship
by Investment Program
by Investment Program
Bulgaria (EU) Citizenship by Investment
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some of the reasons the Bulgaria citizenship by investment program is attracting so many international investors?
A: International business executives, investors, and important persons who are active worldwide consider an alternative citizenship and passport a powerful tool for international tax planning and a safety net should the living conditions at home become unbearable.Applicants realize that the Bulgarian citizenship provides several benefits, including:
• Visa free travel to over 150 countries
• Option to settle in the USA due to the country's E2 reciprocity agreement with the United States
• Retirement in a safe country with a warm climate
• Children and grandchildren gain visa free travel and the right to live, work, or study in many countries
• A better quality of life for the family, including better healthcare and an unpolluted environment
• Relatively low real estate prices
• Personal security
• Tax advantages
• Freedom associated with having multiple passports
• Applicants are not required to continuously live in Bulgaria before or after citizenship approval
• Option to settle in the USA due to the country's E2 reciprocity agreement with the United States
• Retirement in a safe country with a warm climate
• Children and grandchildren gain visa free travel and the right to live, work, or study in many countries
• A better quality of life for the family, including better healthcare and an unpolluted environment
• Relatively low real estate prices
• Personal security
• Tax advantages
• Freedom associated with having multiple passports
• Applicants are not required to continuously live in Bulgaria before or after citizenship approval
Q: What is the minimum investment required to obtain the Bulgarian residency?
A: The minimum expense to obtain permanent residency is EUR 257,000 plus legal fees. Permanent residency allows applicants to live in Bulgaria. Residency is granted usually within 6 months of filing an application. Investment options include:
A) Stocks traded in Bulgaria: EUR 1,024,000
B) UCITs (EU regulated fund vehicles) including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
C) Alternative investment funds (AIFs) (including private equity, venture and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
D) Bulgarian company investment, Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP) – similar to USA EB-5 Regional Centers: EUR 1,024,000
E) Bulgarian company employing 10 Bulgarian persons or more: EUR 257,000
F) Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography: EUR 3,075,000
G) Certified Investment Project (CIP) - not the same as CPIP above: Exact amount and conditions are project-dependent.
B) UCITs (EU regulated fund vehicles) including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
C) Alternative investment funds (AIFs) (including private equity, venture and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
D) Bulgarian company investment, Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP) – similar to USA EB-5 Regional Centers: EUR 1,024,000
E) Bulgarian company employing 10 Bulgarian persons or more: EUR 257,000
F) Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography: EUR 3,075,000
G) Certified Investment Project (CIP) - not the same as CPIP above: Exact amount and conditions are project-dependent.
Q: What is the minimum investment required to obtain the Bulgarian citizenship (EU citizenship)?
A: The minimum expense to obtain citizenship (the European passport) is EUR 257,000 plus legal fees under the 5-year standard processing program. For the 18-months fast track option, the minimum investment is generally double the amount required for standard processing. As an EU citizen you are allowed to live, work, study in any of the 26 European Union countries.To qualify for citizenship, the primary applicant must be over 18 years of age and select one of the following options:
A) Stocks traded in Bulgaria: EUR 1,024,000
B) UCITs (EU regulated fund vehicles) including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
C) Alternative investment funds (AIFs) (including private equity, venture and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
D) Bulgarian company investment, Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP) – similar to USA EB-5 Regional Centers: EUR 1,024,000
E) Bulgarian company employing 10 Bulgarian persons or more: EUR 257,000
F) Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography: EUR 3,075,000
G) Certified Investment Project (CIP) - not the same as CPIP above: Exact amount and conditions are project-dependent.
B) UCITs (EU regulated fund vehicles) including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a focus on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
C) Alternative investment funds (AIFs) (including private equity, venture and hedge funds), a part of whose focus is on Bulgaria: EUR 512,000
D) Bulgarian company investment, Certified Priority Investment Project (CPIP) – similar to USA EB-5 Regional Centers: EUR 1,024,000
E) Bulgarian company employing 10 Bulgarian persons or more: EUR 257,000
F) Bulgarian private company, invested in any sector or geography: EUR 3,075,000
G) Certified Investment Project (CIP) - not the same as CPIP above: Exact amount and conditions are project-dependent.
Q: Will the Bulgaria citizenship automatically grant me European citizenship?
A: Yes. Because Bulgaria is a member of the European Union its citizens are automatically European citizens, which means you are allowed to live, work or study anywhere in Europe.Q: Under the citizenship program, can I include my family in my application?
A: Yes. All investment options to citizenship allow for one application to cover the husband, wife, parents and all children and grand children of any age.Please note that citizenship is awarded in stages: During the first stage, all family members receive Bulgarian permanent residency status, at the same time, which means all family members can live together in Bulgaria if they wish to move to the country (not required).
During the second stage, applicants receive the Bulgarian citizenship (EU passport) as follows:
1) With "fast track processing" the main applicant will
receive citizenship after about 18 months.
2) The children of the main applicant will receive citizenship 6-9 months after the main applicant receives citizenship.
3) The spouse of the main applicant will receive citizenship about 1 year after the main applicant receives citizenship.
2) The children of the main applicant will receive citizenship 6-9 months after the main applicant receives citizenship.
3) The spouse of the main applicant will receive citizenship about 1 year after the main applicant receives citizenship.
Q: As a citizen, am I required to live in Bulgaria?
A: No. Bulgaria does not require you to be present or reside in Bulgaria before or after approval of your citizenship application.Q: Under the citizenship program, am I required to own real estate in Bulgaria ?
A: No. Bulgaria does not require the applicant to purchase real estate in the country.Q: Will my citizenship expire?
A: No. When you acquire citizenship under the Bulgaria citizenship program, you and your family enjoy full citizenship for life, which can be passed on to future generations by descent.Q: What is the process to apply for citizenship, and how long does it take?
A: Under the "standard processing" program an applicant may file for citizenship after 5 years in permanent residency status. Under the "fast track processing" program the entire process from application filing to receiving the Bulgarian (EU) passport takes approximately 18 months.
Step #1: Contact Us. Please
use our contact
form to receive a detailed cost estimate for you and your
family. There is no fee for this initial consultation.
Step #2: Document Preparation. Should you wish to proceed with an application you would sign a service agreement to allow our associated immigration law firm in Bulgaria to commence the application procedure. The firm will gather all required application documents from you. There is no need to travel to Bulgaria at this time.
Step #3: Investment Funding. The investor wires the investment funds to his/her bank account in Bulgaria.
Step #4: Visa & Permanent Residency Application. The investor applies for a Visa-D at any Bulgarian embassy in his country of residence. With this visa, the investor travels to Bulgaria to apply for the Permanent Residency card in person. This is the only time travel to Bulgaria is required.
Step #5: Citizenship Application & Passport. After 12 months in permanent residency status, if using the fast track option, the investor may file for Bulgarian (EU) citizenship. There is no requirement to live in Bulgaria during this 12 months period. Upon naturalization, the investor may collect his Bulgarian (EU) passport at any Bulgarian embassy in the world.
Step #2: Document Preparation. Should you wish to proceed with an application you would sign a service agreement to allow our associated immigration law firm in Bulgaria to commence the application procedure. The firm will gather all required application documents from you. There is no need to travel to Bulgaria at this time.
Step #3: Investment Funding. The investor wires the investment funds to his/her bank account in Bulgaria.
Step #4: Visa & Permanent Residency Application. The investor applies for a Visa-D at any Bulgarian embassy in his country of residence. With this visa, the investor travels to Bulgaria to apply for the Permanent Residency card in person. This is the only time travel to Bulgaria is required.
Step #5: Citizenship Application & Passport. After 12 months in permanent residency status, if using the fast track option, the investor may file for Bulgarian (EU) citizenship. There is no requirement to live in Bulgaria during this 12 months period. Upon naturalization, the investor may collect his Bulgarian (EU) passport at any Bulgarian embassy in the world.
If the applicant follows the fast track program, he/she can obtain the Bulgarian passport as early as 18 months. This makes the Bulgarian program one of the fastest options for international investors looking to obtain EU citizenship.
Q: Does Bulgaria allow me to keep my original citizenship?
A: Yes. There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in Bulgaria.Q: How will new citizens be taxed?
A: Becoming a citizen of Bulgaria does not mean the investor automatically becomes a Bulgarian tax resident. However, becoming a tax resident in Bulgaria may be attractive to the investor because of the country's low personal and corporate income tax rate which is only 10%; the lowest in the European Union.Q: Can you help me with finding a job?
A: Sorry, the immigration by investment programs were developed by the government to attract high net worth individuals, business owners, VIPs and other individuals with the financial means to support themselves and the local economy. Please note: New citizens do not need any work permission; they may work in any of the EU member countries. New residents may apply for a work permit, but would need to find their own employment opportunities.Q: Can you help me get a tourist or a student visa?
A: Sorry, we cannot assist with tourist or student visas.Q: What are the major differences among the various immigration by investment programs?
A: The Bulgaria Citizenship by Investment Program offers several investment options starting from EUR 257,000 plus fees for Bulgaria (EU) citizenship and passport after 5 years in residency status. The "fast track option" starting from EUR 512,000 shortens this period to only 18 months.The Cyprus Residency by Investment Program offers options from EUR 300,000 for Cyprus (EU) permanent residency. Residents may apply for citizenship after 7 years in residency status.
The Greece Golden Visa allows non-EU applicants to file for Greece (EU) residency by way of a EUR 250,000 investment in local real estate. The investor may file for Greek citizenship after 7 years of living in Greece at a minimum of 183 days per year.
The Malta Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment regulation provides the applicant with Malta (EU) residency and citizenship for an investment in the amount of EUR 600,000 (36 months residency option) or EUR 750,000 (12 months residency option). Additional are a philanthropic donation, a property purchase or rental, and fees. For applicants who are only seeking Malta (tax) residency or Schengen travel benefits, options start at an annual recurring expense of EUR 15,000 plus property and fees.
The Monaco Residency / Citizenship Program offers Monaco residency to applicants who can prove sufficient accommodations and financial self-sufficiency. The applicant may file for Monaco citizenship after 10 years of permanent residency.
The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program offers Portugal (EU) residency for an investment starting from EUR 350,000 or the transfer of 1 Million Euro, or the creation of 10 new jobs in Portugal. Investors may apply for Portugal citizenship after 5 years in residency status.
The Spain Golden Visa offers Spain (EU) residency for a EUR 500,000 minimum investment in real estate, or a EUR 1 Million Euro asset transfer, or a 2 Million Euro securities investment, or the creation of a new government-approved business project. The investor may file for citizenship after 10 years in residency status.
Outside of the EU, citizenship by investment programs include those offered by Canada, the United States of America, and the Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Lucia:
Canada offers several residency by investment options, leading to citizenship if desired, starting at CAD 200,000.
The United States EB-5 Program leads to permanent residency status and citizenship in the United States for a minimum investment of USD 900,000 in a commercial enterprise in the U.S. that generates at least 10 jobs for Americans. After 5 years as a permanent resident the investor may apply for U.S. citizenship.
The Caribbean nations of Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, and St. Lucia offer citizenship programs requiring a real estate investment from USD 200,000 or a non-refundable donation of at least USD 100,000.
Please contact us for a detailed cost estimate or confidential consultation. Our associated attorneys are ready to assist you with attaining your investment objectives and answer any questions you might have about the Bulgarian Residency / Citizenship by Investment programs.
Zenturo Ltd.
Residency & Citizenship by Investment Programs WorldwideBulgaria Office: Sofia
394A / 395A, Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp
Santa Venera SVR 1016, Malta
Phone: +356 9950 5515
WhatsApp: +356 9991 4125
WeChat: ZenturoSupport
Skype: Zenturo Ltd. Support
Company Registration No.: C-39472
VAT ID: MT-18142026