Bulgarian Residency and Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship by investment Program, also known as the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria, allows high-net-worth individuals to obtain permanent Bulgarian residence and become eligible for Bulgarian citizenship. Individuals must be from a non-European Union country with a combined net worth greater than €1 million comprised of cash, property, business, or securities.

There are no nationality or religious restrictions for applicants and no requirements pertaining to management, work experience, education, or age for the investor. You don't even have to speak Bulgarian or relinquish your current citizenship.

The base premise of this program is: If you want to become a citizen, you have to support the government with your investment.

Moreover, families of investors will also obtain Bulgarian permanent resident status and become eligible for Bulgarian citizenship with all the advantages of EU permanent residency.
Surely, applicants must be able to prove that the source of their income is legal and they cannot have a criminal record.

You have multiple options!

1. Invest in government bonds

Open a personal bank account in Bulgaria and deposit the amount of no less than 1.000.000 BGN (just over €500.000) for the purchase of government bonds. After five years, the invested amount will be refunded to the investor without accrued interest. And the investor will get their permanent residency card.
And the best part is; Applicants and their family members are not required to be physically present in Bulgaria for any time period!

2. Fast-track citizenship option

After the Investment of 1.000.000 BGN (just over €500.000) into government bonds, one more investment of 1.000.000 BGN is made after 1 year in a company involved in the Priority Investment Project (a government-run development program) and making a commitment to maintain those investments for a period of at least two years after acquiring citizenship.

After 2 years from the moment citizenship is acquired 2.000.000 BGN are returned to the investor with no interest.

The first stage is a permanent residency card application, subject to an investment of minimum 1 million BGN. The second stage is the citizenship application. The investor is eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship if he/she has held a permanent residency card (which can be obtained in 4-6 months) for 12 months and has doubled the initial investment.

Applicants and their family members under the program are not required to prove proficiency of Bulgarian language to apply for citizenship. Furthermore, applicants and their family members are not required to be physically present in Bulgaria for any time period!

3. Finance Loan

Invest an amount of no less than €180,000 (approximately BGN 352,000) to finance a loan from a Bulgarian chartered bank.

4. Priority Investment Project

Invest more than €1 million (approximately BGN 2 million) and become a majority shareholder or legal representative of a company that participates in a government-designated Priority Investment Project.

5. Invest in Underdeveloped Regions

Invest at least €125,000 (approximately BGN 245,000) and obtain no less than 50% of the capital of a Bulgarian company operating in one of the underdeveloped regions in Bulgaria, create and maintain at least five jobs for Bulgarian citizens under a labor contract.
It's all about making the country a better place. Remember, if you believe in Bulgaria, Bulgaria believes in you too.

6. Invest in Developed Regions

Invest at least €250,000 (approximately BGN 495,000) and obtain no less than 50% of the capital of a Bulgarian company, create and maintain at least ten jobs for Bulgarian citizens under a labor contract.

7. Invest in Real Estate

Invest as an individual no less than €300,000 (approximately BGN 590,000) or obtain more than 50% of the capital of a Bulgarian company, which in turn would invest the same amount in real estate. Financing is allowed as long as the outstanding amount of the loan is under 25% as of the date of the residency application. Only downside to this option that it does not lead to permanent residency status and residency should be renewed every year.

Is this legal?

Yes. The terms of the program are clearly defined by Bulgarian law. The Investment Immigration opportunities in Bulgaria are regulated by Bulgarian law: The Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, and the Investment Promotion Act. If you want to further inquire this program you can check Investment promotion Act here.

All the things considered why would anyone want to become a Bulgarian citizen?

What are the advantages of being a Bulgarian Citizen?

• The right to live, work, study in any of the EU countries
• Visa-free entry to 160 countries, including USA and Canada.
• Macroeconomic and financial stability
• Bulgaria has the most favorable EU taxes – only 10% tax on corporate and personal income, and a dividend tax of only 5%.
• Strategic geopolitical position allowing access to key markets.

What are the disadvantages of being a Bulgarian Citizen?

• Feeling a bit bored after achieving everything in life.

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