Loading…
For most long-stay routes, yes. Non-EU nationals usually get a Type D long-stay visa from a Bulgarian embassy abroad first, then apply for the residence permit after arriving in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's process catches a lot of people off guard. As a non-EU (third-country) national, you generally can't just enter and apply for a residence card from inside the country. The Type D long-stay visa is the entry gateway: you apply for it at a Bulgarian diplomatic mission abroad on a specific ground (work, study, family, investment, and so on), enter Bulgaria with it, and then file for the matching residence permit at the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. The exact documents depend on your ground, but the D-visa-first sequence is the norm for long stays. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens are a separate case and don't go through this route.
Get a free, personalised assessment from a licensed ACME advisor, or ask Acey.
Guidance only, not legal advice. ACME is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any government. Rules change, confirm details with official sources.