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After five years of continuous, lawful residence in Bulgaria, most non-EU nationals can step up from a continuous (prolonged) permit to long-term EU resident status. This is the 5-year EU long-term residence permit: it gives near-equal treatment with Bulgarian nationals and, under certain conditions, the right to move to other EU states. It sits above the continuous permit and is a key milestone on the way to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
Non-EU nationals who have lived legally and continuously in Bulgaria for five years and want stronger, longer-lasting residence rights.
Our licensed advisors assess your eligibility, build a strategy to strengthen your application, and manage the process end to end, so you submit a complete, competitive application with confidence.
It lets a non-EU person who already holds a qualifying Bulgarian residence permit be joined by close family, typically a spouse and minor children. The family member usually gets a Type D visa on the family ground, then a continuous residence permit.
After five years of continuous lawful residence, most non-EU nationals can step up from a continuous permit to long-term EU resident status — a five-year permit giving near-equal treatment with Bulgarian nationals and, under conditions, mobility to other EU states.
Permanent residence is Bulgaria's most settled status short of citizenship, granted for an indefinite period. Most people reach it after five years of legal residence on a continuous permit, though some routes (like qualifying investment) can lead there more directly.
Bulgaria offers permanent residence (not a fast passport) for a qualifying investment under the Foreigners Act, such as a sizeable stake in licensed Bulgarian investment vehicles. The old fast-track citizenship-by-investment scheme was repealed in 2022.
Guidance only, not legal advice. ACME is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any government. Rules change, always confirm details with the official source.