Long-term residence status is one of the possibilities that Bulgaria provides to foreigners – third-country nationals/ non-EU members’ citizens/. It is a status that allows for unhindered travel within the territory of the European Union.
Long-term residence is granted to a foreigner who has legally and continuously resided in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria within at least 5 years before submitting an application for a long-term residence permit; i.e. in most of the cases, a foreigner should initially obtain a continuous residence permit.
Once acquired, the long-term residence status is permanent, as long as there are no grounds for its withdrawal.
An applicant for long-term resident status must provide evidence that they have for themselves and for the members of their family sufficient means of subsistence, the amount of which shall be not less than the minimum wage/pension, and that they have a social security health coverage or compulsory health insurance for the period of residence under the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria.
A foreigner, who has been granted long-term residence status, shall obtain a long-term resident’s EU residence permit. Such permit has a validity period of 5 years and shall be renewed upon its expiry by submitting an application.
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