
How to Obtain Bulgarian Residence: The Ultimate Guide 2025
This article discusses how to obtain a Bulgarian residence permit, what the requirements are and the benefits you receive from meeting them. A second residence can change your life and…
Nomad Rank
Total Score
Country
Bulgaria
Capital City
Sofia
Language
Bulgarian
Currency
Bulgarian lev
Region
Europe
Landlocked
No
The passport of Bulgaria is currently ranked as 29T, with a total score of 104. Bulgaria passport ranking relative to other global passports is calculated by relying on the Bulgaria government's approach not just to travel, but also to international taxation laws, global perception, dual citizenship, and personal freedom as just the number of countries Bulgaria passport holder may visit won't tell the whole story and you will have to deal with far different requirements to pay tax, live freely, comply with regulations, and avoid scrutiny when traveling.
172 | 30 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Travel | Taxation | Perception | Dual Citizenship | Freedom |
Having a second residence in another country is a great way to diversify away from your home country, pay less in taxes, and possibly obtain a second citizenship, but are you sure that Bulgaria is the best option for you? Let our experienced team create and implement a bespoke, holistic strategy for you to legally reduce your tax rate offshore, protect your assets, invest overseas, obtain a second citizenship, and improve your peace of mind. We've helped 1,500+ HNWI entrepreneurs and investors and we can help you, too.
BECOME A CLIENTFor the Bulgaria Travel score calculation, we relied on government data from 199 passport-issuing countries and territories, combined with real-time intelligence and proprietary research. This factor includes a MobilityScore (MS) measuring ease of travel, which focuses on visa-free (VF) travel, visa on arrival (VOA) and eTA and eVisa (if issued within three days). Based on that data, we assigned Bulgaria a Travel score of 172 which means that Bulgaria passport holders can enter a total of 172 destinations — either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA.
For the Bulgaria Taxation score calculation, we relied on data from our network of tax vendors, news sources, and tax authorities themselves. We assigned the lowest score of 10 to countries that tax citizens no matter where they live, scores of 20 or 30 to countries that allow citizens to relocate to avoid tax, 40 to those that don’t tax foreign incomes of resident citizens, and 50 to countries with zero tax. Based on that data, we assigned Bulgaria a Taxation score of 30, meaning that Bulgaria allows citizens to relocate to avoid tax.
For the Bulgaria Perception score calculation, we relied on the World Happiness Report, the Human Development Index, and subjective factors from our networks’ experiences to determine how each country’s citizens are received and recognized. We assigned the lowest score of 10 to those whose citizens are refused entry to a substantial number of countries and/or whose citizens encounter substantial hostility, scores of 20, 30, and 40 to countries whose citizens experience intermediate hostility, and 50 to countries ranked among the happiest in the world and whose citizens experience minimal hostility. Based on that data, we assigned Bulgaria a Perception score of 40, meaning that Bulgaria citizens experience intermediate hostility.
For the Bulgaria Dual Citizenship score calculation, we relied on embassy data and our experiences to assess the ability to hold dual citizenship, ranging from a score of 10 for strictly forbidden to a score of 50 for freely allowed. We assigned the score of 10 and 20 to countries whose citizens are strictly forbidden to hold other citizenships, scores of 30 and 40 to countries whose citizens are often allowed to hold other citizenships but with certain restrictions, and 50 to countries whose citizens are almost always allowed to hold other citizenships. Based on that data, we assigned Bulgaria a Dual Citizenship score of 40, meaning that Bulgaria citizens are often allowed to hold other citizenships but with certain restrictions.
For the Bulgaria Freedom score calculation, we relied on data and news reports on mandatory military service, government surveillance, press freedom, and other factors to determine the personal freedom of citizens, travelers, and expats, with scores from 10 being the least free and 50 being the freest. We assigned the scores of 10 and 20 to countries whose citizens have low freedom, scores of 30 and 40 to countries whose citizens have intermediate freedom, and 50 to countries whose citizens have total freedom. Based on that data, we assigned Bulgaria a Freedom score of 40, meaning that Bulgaria citizens have intermediate freedom.