After one year of legally living in Bulgaria, it is possible to register for citizenship through investment. The Citizenship offices takes 9-12 months process applications
The program exempts investors from physical residence and is free to leave the country anytime. The whole processing time is 2-3 months.
The investor has to demonstrate that he/she has made a significant contribution to Bulgaria such as business activities creating jobs, sports, culture or bringing new science and technology to the country. Bulgaria allows dual nationality
The minimum eligibility criteria and documents needed are..
Bulgaria passport offers full EU citizenship and free movement in schengen area. In 2018 Bulgaria received visa free travel to Canada. Bulgaria passport has visa free travel to 169 countries in the world including United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland etc. The passport ranks 18th best in the world.
BENEFITS
- EU member country (non-schengen)
- Low tax rates.
- Real estate investment option
- No restrictions on dual nationality
- Affordable cost of living and low business costs.
Bulgaria is a EU and NATO member country in southeast of Europe, surrounded by Romania, Turkey, Serbia and Greece. Bulgaria has an investor program which came into force in 2009, for foreign investors who invest significant amount of money in the economy of Bulgaria. In return a permanent residence permit issued and the person can live in Bulgaria for an indefinite period of time. Bulgaria is not a member of schengen area expected to join the `schengen` in the near future.
Bulgaria offers fast track citizenship by investment scheme to foreign investors
Bulgaria Investor Program
Fast track: BGN 2 million (EUR 1 million) citizenship after one year
Ordinary: BGN 1 million (EUR 512,000) citizenship after five years.
Under this program, minimum investment of of BGN 2 million BGN (approx EUR 1 million) which is to be invested in in a Bulgaria Government bonds portfolio or in a business venture. The govt bonds portfolio is a secure investment and is guaranteed by the Bulgarian govt and is returned without any interest after 5 years. In return a permanent residence permit is issued to investors which allows stay in Bulgaria for an indefinite period of time.
Taxes
The personal income tax in Bulgaria is 10% and corporate income tax is 10% of the taxable profit. The VAT (value added tax) is 20%.
Financing option
It is possible to finance EUR 1m Government bonds for a total of EUR 330,000 ( includes interest of EUR 130,000 spread over 5 years)