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Various forms of documentation are required for foreign nationals making a permanent move to Bulgaria. This section covers all relevant information and provides links for obtaining further details.

Visas

Before you move permanently, you may wish to visit Bulgaria for short periods to assess its suitability, search for property and so on. These short visits (of up to 30 or 90 days, depending on your home country) require a valid passport but no visa for citizens of the following countries:

Up to 30 days:

Andorra, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, New Zealand, Switzerland, UK, USA, The Vatican

Up to 90 days:

Austria, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden

To move permanently to Bulgaria, you will need a type D long-stay visa, which you must apply for through the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your home country.

For US citizens, the visa is free of charge, though there is a $25 processing fee.

For UK citizens, the visa costs GBP44 (GBP), comprising a GBP30 visa charge plus GBP14 admin fee (non-refundable). Contact the appropriate Bulgarian embassy for the application forms or download them from their website. For the type D visa, you need:

- Two completed application forms for a Short Entry Visa
- Two recent photos
- Originals of documents giving the reasons for your application
- Proof of your means of financial support (savings/employment contract, etc.)
- Proof that you have suitable accommodation arranged

The type D visa is for single entry only, valid up to 6 months - it is issued to people intending to apply for a long-term or permanent residence permit in Bulgaria.

Once you have the D visa, be aware that you cannot leave Bulgaria for 3 months.

Amended March 2007 by Iva: D type visa is the visa which people get if they want to reside permanently in Bulgaria. All the information is correct. The only thing is that when people get the D-type visa and go to Bulgaria they need to apply for ID card in the regional directorate (police station) and wait to be done within the 3 months. After they have the ID card they will be able to leave the country and come back again without a visa. The ID card is renewable on 6 or 12 month basis.