Residence Permit Through Commercial Representation in Bulgaria (2026)
Get a Bulgarian residence permit for up to 2 people through your company's commercial representation. 2025 law change, conditions, documents and steps.
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If you own an active company in your home country (for example Türkiye), you can open its commercial representation in Bulgaria and obtain a long-term residence permit for up to 2 people appointed as representatives. The representation is entered in the register of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). The parent company needs an annual turnover of at least the equivalent of 100,000 leva (about 51,130 euro), no tax debt, and a lease of at least 1 year for an office in Bulgaria. Unlike the company route, you do not have to employ 10 Bulgarian staff.
What is a commercial representation?
A commercial representation (Bulgarian: търговско представителство) is a unit of a foreign company in Bulgaria that is not a separate legal entity. It promotes the parent company, carries out market research and follows up business contacts. It cannot carry out commercial activity in its own name (selling, issuing invoices). For that you need to set up a company in Bulgaria. For residence purposes, however, a representation is one of the most practical routes for business owners and managers who want to settle in Bulgaria.
Current conditions after the 2025 amendment
An amendment of 27 June 2025 to Article 24 (paragraph 1, point 6) of the Bulgarian Foreigners Act made the conditions clearer:
| Condition | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Registration | Entered in the BCCI register of commercial representations |
| Number of people | A maximum of 2 representatives per representation |
| Parent company turnover | At least the equivalent of 100,000 leva a year (from 2026, in euro: about 51,130 euro) |
| Tax compliance | No tax debt for the last 2 calendar years at first registration, and for the last year at renewal |
| Office | A lease or use agreement of at least 1 year in Bulgaria |
| Up-to-date documents | Official documents issued within the last 6 months |
Representations registered before the change that do not meet these conditions have a two-year period to comply. Otherwise they may be struck off the register.
Step-by-step process
- Prepare the parent company documents. Trade register extract, certificate of activity, decision to open a representation, decision appointing the representative with power of attorney, and documents showing turnover and tax status. All must carry an apostille and a Bulgarian translation.
- Office in Bulgaria. Sign a lease of at least 1 year.
- BCCI registration. The representation is entered in the BCCI register, followed by BULSTAT registration. Details are in our guide on opening a commercial representation in Bulgaria.
- Type D visa. With the BCCI certificate, the representative applies for a long-term (type D) visa at the Bulgarian consulate in your country. See documents for the type D visa of a representative.
- Residence permit. After entering Bulgaria, the representative applies to the Migration Directorate (Дирекция „Миграция“) at the place of residence for a long-term residence permit and receives the residence card.
- Renewal. The permit is issued for a limited period and renewed while the conditions continue. Apply at least 14 days before it expires (residence permit renewal).
Representation or company?
A foreigner who sets up their own company in Bulgaria and wants a residence permit as manager must employ at least 10 full-time Bulgarian employees for that person (Foreigners Act Art. 24/1/2). For small and medium businesses this is a heavy condition. On the representation route there is no staff requirement. What counts is the parent company’s turnover and tax compliance. Read the full comparison in representation or company.
What about family members?
The spouse and children of a person who obtained a permit as a representative can obtain residence in Bulgaria through family reunification, so the whole family can settle. See our family reunification in Bulgaria service.
Costs and obligations
Setting up and maintaining a representation involves costs such as office rent, accounting, translation, and BCCI and consular fees. Because the representation does no commercial activity, it has no profit subject to corporate tax. If it employs staff in Bulgaria, however, insurance and payroll obligations arise. For an itemised explanation see costs and obligations of a commercial representation.
Who is it suitable for?
- Owners of a company that has existed for at least two years, pays tax regularly and meets the turnover condition,
- Company owners and managers who want to enter the European market and develop business from Bulgaria,
- People who want to settle in Bulgaria with their family and educate their children in Europe.
If you have Bulgarian origin, applying directly for Bulgarian citizenship may be a better option than a representation.
Let us run the process for you
We manage every step in one place: parent company documents, BCCI registration, type D visa and residence card. See our Bulgaria residence permit service page. To find out whether your company qualifies, book an online appointment or send your documents for a free document review.
Frequently asked questions
How many people can get a residence permit through one representation?
Under the current rules, a maximum of 2 representatives per commercial representation can obtain a long-term residence permit. Their spouses and children can get residence separately through family reunification.
How high must the parent company's turnover be?
The parent company’s annual turnover must be at least the equivalent of 100,000 leva. Because Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026, this is about 51,130 euro.
Can a representation sell in Bulgaria?
No. A commercial representation cannot carry out commercial activity in its own name; it only represents the parent company. To sell and issue invoices you need a company in Bulgaria.
Does a permit through a representation lead to citizenship?
Long-term lawful residence can later become the basis for permanent residence and, once the conditions are met, an application for citizenship. If you have Bulgarian origin, there is a shorter route to citizenship.
My company is new. Can I open a representation?
Registration may be possible, but for the permit the parent company’s tax compliance for the last two years and the turnover condition are checked. We can assess together when a newly founded company will meet these conditions.
