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Bulgaria has proposed adding a residency requirement to its golden visa program, a significant change that could affect investment-based residency pathways in the country.
Bulgaria's golden visa has traditionally allowed foreign investors to obtain residency through real estate investment or capital investment without requiring physical presence in the country. The proposed change would mandate that golden visa holders spend a minimum amount of time in Bulgaria annually—exact thresholds have not been finalized but are expected to mirror EU standards (typically 90–183 days per year).
Bulgaria's golden visa may soon require annual residency, shifting from a pure investment play.
If you're considering Bulgaria's golden visa for EU residency and eventual citizenship, act quickly if you prefer the current no-residency-requirement model. The change would make Bulgaria's program more aligned with other EU golden visas (Portugal, Greece) but less attractive for pure investment-without-presence strategies. Monitor Bulgaria's official immigration announcements for final details. Existing golden visa holders may be grandfathered under current rules, but new applicants will likely face the residency requirement once implemented.
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