Bulgaria offers a residence route for foreign entrepreneurs who carry out genuine commercial activity through a Bulgarian company and create employment for Bulgarian citizens. This route is intended for an operating business, not merely for a person who registers a company and wishes to live in Bulgaria.
The central requirement is the creation and maintenance of at least 10 full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens as a result of the commercial activity. The requirement applies separately to each foreign partner or manager relying on this residence basis.
What Is Company Owner Residence?
Company owner residence is a form of temporary residence available to qualifying third-country nationals who carry out commercial activity in Bulgaria.
It may be relevant to entrepreneurs who establish or acquire a Bulgarian business and intend to manage or participate in its genuine operations. The business must satisfy the employment requirement and the applicant must meet the general immigration conditions.
Legal Basis
The principal legal basis is Article 24(1)(2) of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (ЗЧРБ).
The provision concerns foreigners who carry out commercial activity in Bulgaria in accordance with the law and, as a result of that activity, have created at least 10 full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens, maintained throughout the period of residence.
The employment requirement applies separately to each foreign partner and each manager who relies on this residence ground.
Main Eligibility Requirements
The applicant should generally be able to demonstrate that:
- A Bulgarian company is carrying out genuine commercial activity.
- At least 10 Bulgarian citizens are employed full-time as a result of that activity.
- The required employment is maintained throughout the residence period.
- The applicant has a qualifying connection to the business as a partner or manager.
- The company and applicant satisfy the applicable tax, social-security and immigration requirements.
- The applicant has the necessary accommodation, insurance and means of support.
The authorities examine the actual business and employment position, rather than treating the company's registration as sufficient evidence of eligibility.
The 10-Employee Requirement
The employment requirement is the defining feature of this route.
The jobs must be full-time positions for Bulgarian citizens. The company must maintain the required employment during the residence period, and the authorities may verify the employment history through official records.
A company with fewer than the required number of qualifying employees will generally not satisfy this particular residence ground. The applicant should consider whether another business, employment, investment or remote-work route is more appropriate.
Is There a Minimum Investment Amount?
The ordinary company-owner route is based on commercial activity and employment creation, rather than a fixed minimum investment amount.
This distinguishes it from the separate investment-based residence routes, which may involve qualifying real estate, investment funds, company shares or other prescribed investments.
Application Procedure
The procedure generally involves the following stages.
Establish or acquire the Bulgarian company and carry out the intended commercial activity.
Create and document the required full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens for each qualifying foreign partner or manager.
Gather the required personal documents and evidence relating to the company and its commercial activity.
Where required, apply for a Bulgarian long-stay visa at the competent diplomatic or consular mission.
After entering Bulgaria, submit the residence application to the Migration Directorate or the competent local migration authority.
Continue to satisfy the employment and other applicable requirements throughout the residence period and at renewal.
Documents for the Residence Application
The precise document list depends on the applicant and the competent authority, but the file generally includes:
The Migration authorities obtain certain company-status, liability and employment information through official channels. The applicant should nevertheless ensure that the underlying records are accurate and that the business can substantiate the qualifying activity.
Foreign-issued documents may require an apostille or other applicable legalisation and an official Bulgarian translation.
Validity and Renewal
This route provides temporary residence, which must be renewed in accordance with the applicable immigration rules.
Renewal is not automatic. The authorities may examine whether the company continues to operate and whether the required employment has been maintained during the relevant period.
A business owner should plan for the continuing cost of the qualifying workforce, not only the initial establishment of the company.
Can the Owner Work in the Bulgarian Company?
The residence basis is connected to the applicant's commercial activity. However, the exact legal arrangement matters: acting as a manager, carrying out commercial activity and working under an employment contract are not always treated identically. The applicant's role should be reviewed before deciding whether an additional employment authorisation or another immigration route is necessary.
Company Owner vs Trade Representative
These are separate residence grounds.
Can Company Owner Residence Lead to Permanent Residence?
Company owner residence may form part of a longer-term residence strategy. After completing the applicable qualifying period, a foreign national may become eligible for long-term or permanent residence, subject to the statutory requirements.
However, temporary residence does not automatically become permanent residence. Continuity of residence, physical-presence requirements and other legal conditions must be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Company owner residence can be a suitable route for non-EU entrepreneurs who intend to build or operate a genuine business in Bulgaria and create employment locally.
The key distinction is that company registration is only the starting point. The residence basis depends on actual commercial activity and the maintenance of at least 10 full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens for each qualifying foreign partner or manager.
Need Assistance With Company Owner Residence?
Corporate Bulgaria can assist with assessing the appropriate business residence route, company registration, preparation of the residence documentation and coordination of the procedure with the Bulgarian authorities.
This guide provides general information and does not replace an assessment of the individual case. Requirements, fees and processing times should be confirmed under the rules in force at the date of application.
