In the interest of providing the most accurate information, we do not rely solely on court practice—even though we frequently challenge administrative decisions successfully. Instead, we always seek direct confirmation from the authorities involved.

For this reason, we submitted an official inquiry to the Migration Directorate to clarify the status of previous bond investors—those who obtained permanent residency through investments of €512,000 or €1,000,000 in Bulgarian government bonds between 2013 and 2022.

No Physical Stay Requirement — Then and Now

Under the former fast-track Citizenship by Investment program, there was no requirement for physical presence in Bulgaria. Once the investment was completed and permanent residency (PR) was granted, investors were not required to visit the country.

However, this changed with the amendments to the Citizenship Act in 2022. The program was discontinued, and all investors became subject to the standard requirements for maintaining PR in Bulgaria.

Visit Requirement: Not Bulgaria, but the EU

There is a common misunderstanding regarding the physical presence requirement.

Neither the current Bulgaria Golden Visa program nor the former Citizenship by Investment program required physical presence in Bulgaria. However, following the legislative changes in 2022, bond investors (2013–2022) became subject to a requirement to enter the European Union.

Yes—that is correct.

The requirement is not to visit Bulgaria specifically, but to enter the EU. This means your visit can be to any EU country, conveniently aligning with travel plans to destinations such as Greece, Spain, or Italy.

Once Every 12 Months — Not “Once a Year”

Another frequent misconception is that the requirement is to visit “once per calendar year.”

This is incorrect.

The rule is once every 12 months, which is stricter.

For example:

• Visit in December 2022
• Visit in January 2023

This does not cover you until March 2024. You would be in violation if more than 12 months pass between entries into the EU.

Latest Position from the Migration Directorate

According to the latest guidance, if your PR has not yet been revoked, you may still have the option to change your residency category.

Key Risks to Be Aware Of

If you are unsure whether you have met the physical presence requirement, it is essential to verify this before taking any action.

• If you apply and are found non-compliant, your PR status may be revoked immediately, leaving no opportunity to correct the situation.
• If your PR card has expired but your status has not been revoked, this is generally not an issue. The status remains valid even if the card itself has expired.

In such cases, you may initiate a new procedure under the current Bulgaria Golden Visa program by investing in an Alternative Investment Fund.

Why Pre-Check Matters

If your status is not verified in advance, your only remaining option may be a court appeal.

While court appeals can be effective—particularly in cases of D visa or C visa refusals—they are far less predictable and significantly more complex when it comes to PR revocation.

Advocate Markov has been recognized by the District Court of Plovdiv for his work and can handle such cases effectively and without unnecessary complications. However, many investors prefer to avoid building a court history altogether and instead opt for a smoother solution—transitioning from government bonds to a Bulgarian Investment Fund under the current program.

Why Consider the New Bulgaria Golden Visa Program

One of the key advantages of the current program is that no investment is required before pre-approval.

The pre-approval process involves:

• The Investment Agency
• The Migration Directorate
• The National Security Agency

If there are no objections during pre-approval (for example, regarding missed EU visits), this is a strong indication that your PR can be renewed under the new category.

Only after approval is granted are you required to proceed with the investment.

Important: Investment Compliance Still Matters

Even if you have met the EU visit requirement, there may still be risks.

For example, if you liquidated your investment before completing the required 5-year holding period, this alone can be grounds for PR revocation.

You may be required to provide documentation—such as a sale transaction—to confirm how long the investment was maintained.

The post Bulgaria Permanent Residency Could Be Revoked appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.

The fund investment option has already accumulated one full year of practical experience. This year was important not only for fund managers, but also for law firms and the Bulgarian authorities. It helped identify where delays typically occur in the application process and allowed all parties involved to gain operational experience and improve efficiency.

Stages of the Bulgaria Golden Visa Program

The process can be divided into the following stages:

1. Gathering documents – approximately 2 weeks
2. Pre-approval – 4 to 10 weeks
3. Making the investment – 1 to 2 days
4. Confirmation of investment – 2 to 4 weeks
5. D visa application – up to 40 business days
6. Permanent residency application – up to 2 months
7. Family reunification

What Determines the Speed of Your Application?

The pre-approval and confirmation of investment stages are administrative procedures. There are no shortcuts or “special tricks.” However, experience makes a significant difference.

Your legal representative must know exactly which documents are required, their validity periods, certification and legalization requirements, and the correct authorization format. If even one document is missing or incorrectly prepared, the Bulgarian Investment Agency does not immediately notify you. The application is formally submitted, and you may only be informed of the missing document months later. This can delay your case significantly.

To avoid such delays, your application should be handled by a law firm experienced specifically in Bulgaria Golden Visa procedures, such as Advocate Markov.

Can the Process Be Further Accelerated?

Yes, with proper coordination.

At Advocate Markov, we maintain constant communication with the Bulgarian Investment Agency. This is important because there is often a gap between the internal approval decision and the official issuance of the pre-approval certificate. This gap can last several weeks.

Instead of waiting for the certificate to be physically issued and signed, we use this period proactively. During this time, we prepare the investment documentation and coordinate the capital transfer so that once the pre-approval certificate is received, we can immediately file for confirmation of investment.

How Long Does the Investment Confirmation Take?

If all documents are properly prepared, the investment confirmation stage can proceed efficiently. After the investment is made, certain declarations must be certified by the investor. These declarations can only be drafted once the capital has been deposited.

The process includes obtaining bank confirmation of the received capital, registering the capital increase with the Commercial Register, reflecting the increase with the Central Depository, and preparing the required certified declarations. Altogether, this stage typically takes a few weeks. Once the full documentation set is complete, the application is formally submitted to the Bulgarian Investment Agency.

This stage relies heavily on documentation prepared by the fund manager. That is where our main advantage lies. We operate the fund manager (Bulgaria Fund Management), the investment vehicle (Bulgaria AIF Fund), and the legal practice under one roof. This integrated structure ensures that Golden Visa applications are processed on a priority basis, without unnecessary administrative delays, while remaining fully aligned with investors’ capital preservation strategies. Find the list of expected bond IPOs in Bulgaria for 2026.

How Long Does the Pre-Approval Stage Take in 2026?

Although the official deadline is up to 10 weeks, in practice we are currently seeing processing times of approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

How Much Time Can You Save?

By working with AdvocateMarkov.com, you can save approximately 4 to 6 weeks during the pre-approval stage. Initiating the investment before the formal issuance of the pre-approval certificate can save an additional two weeks. Our team can also assist in securing a priority D visa appointment, which further shortens the timeline toward obtaining permanent residency by investment in Bulgaria.

The post How to Speed Up Your Bulgaria Golden Visa Application in 2026 appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.

Extended Validity Period

Under the new regulations, Bulgarian citizens aged 18 and above may now choose between:

• a 5-year passport, or

• a 10-year passport, which will be recognized equally within the European Union and worldwide.

The extended validity applies only to adult applicants, while minors will continue to receive passports valid for 5 years or less, depending on their age.

Updated Passport Fees

According to the Ministry of Interior, the new 10-year passport will cost €28, while the 5-year passport will be priced at €26.

Fees for other travel documents have also been updated:

• Temporary passports for one-time travel now cost up to €278, primarily for cases involving permanent departure from Bulgaria.

• The fee for a driver’s license has been slightly adjusted to €13.80 for individuals aged 18–58.

Benefits for Citizens

The 10-year passport validity offers several advantages:

• Fewer renewals, saving both time and administrative fees;

• Greater convenience for frequent travelers and expatriates;

• Alignment with EU standards, enhancing Bulgaria’s consistency with other member states’ practices.

The new measure is particularly beneficial for Bulgarian citizens living abroad, who previously had to renew passports every five years at embassies or consulates.

Implementation

The updated passport validity came into effect following amendments to the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act, approved in 2025. The Ministry of Interior has already begun issuing passports under the new terms.

Citizens can apply at local police directorates, regional offices, or Bulgarian diplomatic missions abroad. All 10-year passports will continue to include biometric data and advanced security features consistent with EU standards.

This development further enhances the overall value and attractiveness of the Bulgaria Golden Visa program.

The post Bulgarian Passports Now Valid for 10 Years appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.

Previously, this service was offered at no fee but required a deposit as confirmation of investment in our fund. We are pleased to announce that this condition has now been removed. Our team will guide you through the pre-approval stage at no cost, regardless of which fund you choose for your investment. There is no obligation to continue with Bulgaria Fund Management. Applicants only cover the cost of translations and certified copies, which will not exceed EUR 500.

The Bulgarian Golden Visa program has just launched, and now is the ideal time to lock in the most favorable terms for your application—including service fees, fund management fees, and processing timelines. There are no nationality restrictions, and subscribing to fund shares is not subject to the limitations that apply to Russian citizens when purchasing property or setting up businesses in Bulgaria. By holding permanent residence for 5 years, you become eligible for Bulgarian citizenship—with no physical stay requirements and only A1-level language proficiency.

The program requires an investment of EUR 512,000 in a government-regulated fund. Our fund, Bulgaria AIF Fund, invests in fixed-income instruments—primarily bonds issued by Bulgarian state-owned enterprises and licensed Bulgarian banks. Alternatively, if you’d rather act as a developer than purchase property with a 150%+ retail markup, you can invest via our Real Estate share class, which finances construction projects and targets potential returns of up to 150% over the required holding period.

Meet us

If you would like to meet us at the event or at the hotel lobby on September 25th, please reach out to our team. We will be happy to walk you through the Golden Visa process and present the investment opportunities available.

The post Bulgaria Fund Management Brings Bulgarian Golden Visa to Dubai appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.

Bulgaria, as a member of the European Union, is bound by EU legislation regarding freedom of movement and the rights of EU citizens and their families. However, the legal landscape becomes more complex when it comes to same-sex marriages, particularly in cases involving non-EU citizens.

Bulgaria and Same-Sex Marriage Recognition

While Bulgarian national law still defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, the country is obliged to follow EU regulations on the rights of EU citizens to free movement and residence. This includes respecting the marital and family status legally recognized in another EU member state.

A landmark case affirming this came in the form of a ruling by Bulgaria’s Supreme Administrative Court (VAS), which upheld the residency rights of a same-sex spouse of an EU citizen.

The Case of Kristina Palma and Mariama Diallo

Kristina Palma, an Australian citizen, married Mariama Diallo, a French citizen, in France in 2016. Later that year, Kristina was granted residence in Bulgaria as the spouse of an EU citizen under Directive 2004/38/EC, which guarantees the right of EU citizens and their family members to move and reside freely within the Union.

However, Bulgarian Migration authorities later revoked her residency, citing the Bulgarian definition of marriage. The case was taken to the Sofia Administrative Court, which ruled in Palma’s favor—a decision upheld by the Supreme Administrative Court in 2025. The court clarified that while Bulgarian law does not permit same-sex marriages domestically, it must recognize them for the purposes of residency when legally registered in another EU country.

The ruling aligns with EU Court of Justice precedent (Coman case, Romania, 2018) and represents a significant legal affirmation of EU law within Bulgaria’s judicial system.

Limitations for Non-EU Same-Sex Couples

Despite this progress, there remain important limitations for same-sex couples where neither partner is an EU citizen.

Bulgaria Golden Visa and Same-Sex Spouses

Under the Bulgaria Golden Visa Program, which offers permanent residency to foreign investors, the law allows for family reunification and residency for spouses—but only as defined under Bulgarian law. Since same-sex marriage is not recognized between two non-EU citizens, this means:

If you are a non-EU investor in Bulgaria through the Golden Visa scheme, and your spouse is of the same sex and also a non-EU citizen, they will not be eligible for residency as your spouse under current Bulgarian law. This gap creates a significant legal barrier for non-EU same-sex couples seeking residency through investment pathways.

Same-Sex Marriage Between Bulgarian and Non-EU Citizens

Currently, Bulgarian citizens cannot legally marry a person of the same sex in Bulgaria. However, if the marriage is legally performed abroad the marriage is recognized for immigration purposes.

Same-Sex Marriage Between EU (Non-Bulgarian) and Non-EU Citizens

If a same-sex couple includes an EU citizen (not Bulgarian) and a non-EU partner, and their marriage is legally registered in another EU country, then: The non-EU spouse may be granted residency in Bulgaria under the EU Freedom of Movement Directive. This right is supported by both EU law and the Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court’s decision.

Bulgaria does not currently recognize LGBTQ partnerships or marriages for immigration purposes when both partners are non-EU citizens, regardless of their personal circumstances.

The post Bulgaria Golden Visa for LGBT Expats appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.

Between March and May 2025, the Bulgarian Golden Visa program maintained steady activity, with a consistent flow of new applications and visible improvements in administrative processing timelines. This report provides a factual summary of recent trends and operational observations from the period of 20 March to 20 May 2025.

Application Activity

During the two-month review period, 18 applicants successfully entered the Pre-Approval stage. This reflects an average of one new applicant per week. It should be noted that this figure includes only finalized and submitted applications. Based on internal monitoring, the number of individuals currently in the document preparation phase is estimated to be two to three times higher, suggesting continued interest in the program.

Processing Timelines

The Bulgarian Investment Agency has shown improved efficiency in processing Pre-Approval applications. Although the official deadline remains 10 weeks, recent cases have been finalized within approximately 8 weeks. One applicant, for example, received approval in exactly 8 weeks from submission, representing a notable improvement over earlier processing times.

Geographic Trends

During the reporting period, two new nationalities were recorded among the applicants. A third nationality is currently being monitored and may be included in future demographic updates. Notably, only one of the most recent eight applicants proceeded independently of Advocate Markov’s team. As a result, the majority of applications during this period were submitted through the same advisory channel, allowing for a more consistent basis for early-stage nationality analysis.

Program Momentum After IMC 10th Anniversary

Interest in the Bulgaria Golden Visa program increased further following the highly successful 10th Anniversary of the Investment Migration Council (IMC) held in Dubai. The event served as a global platform to present the Bulgaria Golden Visa to a broader professional audience, leading to new inquiries and heightened visibility for the program.

Observations and Outlook

There is evidence of a growing pipeline of applicants preparing to initiate the Pre-Approval process. Although they have not yet submitted formally, their active document gathering indicates that application volume is likely to remain stable or increase in the short term. Further information on nationality breakdowns and related metrics is expected to be released within the next reporting cycle.

This report reflects trends specific to the March–May 2025 period. Continued monitoring will be necessary to assess the longer-term trajectory of participation, procedural efficiency, and demographic diversification.

The post Bulgaria Golden Visa IMC Event Dubai 2025 appeared first on The law firm of Advocate Vasil Markov.