Can I Move to Bulgaria?

As a UK national, you can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Bulgaria joined the Schengen area, so this allowance is shared across all Schengen countries combined.

Example: If you spend 30 days in Spain and 30 days in France, you only have 30 days left for Bulgaria within that same 180-day rolling window.

If you hold a Bulgarian residence permit or long-stay visa, time you spend in Bulgaria does not count towards the 90-day Schengen allowance.

Important — EES (Entry/Exit System): The EU's digital Entry/Exit System now registers fingerprints and photos of non-EU visitors, including British nationals, at Schengen borders, and counts your 90 days automatically. British nationals with a valid Bulgarian residence card are exempt.

Coming next — ETIAS: UK visitors will also need an online ETIAS travel authorisation before travelling to the Schengen area. The start date has been delayed more than once and is currently expected in late 2026 or 2027. Check the official EU site (travel-europe.europa.eu) before you book.

Always carry your passport and residence card when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen area. If you do not show your residence card at border control, your passport may be stamped as a visitor — which can cause complications.

D Visa (Long-Stay Visa): If you plan to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days, the first step is to apply for a long-stay D Visa at the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel. You can get this visa to work, study, retire, or join family members.

Temporary Residence Permit: After entering Bulgaria on a D Visa, you apply at the local Migration Directorate office for a Temporary Residence Permit. This is usually issued for one year and is renewable.

Extending or replacing your permit: Contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for information on extensions or replacements if your permit is lost, damaged or stolen.

Permanent Residency: After 5 consecutive years of legal temporary residence in Bulgaria, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. See the Migration Directorate guidance for eligibility and the application process.

The British Embassy in Sofia cannot help with Bulgarian visa, residency or citizenship applications. For help, contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Bulgarian Embassy in London, or an English-speaking immigration lawyer in Bulgaria.

You may have to give up your British citizenship to become a Bulgarian citizen, depending on your personal circumstances. For example, if you are not married to a Bulgarian citizen, renunciation may be required. Bulgaria only recognises dual citizenship with the UK in certain circumstances.

To find out if you are eligible, contact the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice or the Bulgarian Embassy in London.

If you moved legally to Bulgaria before 1 January 2021 and have lived there continuously since, you and your family members have rights under the UK–EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Residence card requirement: You must have a new biometric residence card ('документ за пребиваване'). This is critical: under the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), travelling without this card may cause you to be wrongly identified as overstaying and denied re-entry to Bulgaria or other Schengen countries.

No residence card yet? Apply immediately through the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior. The original deadline was 31 December 2021 — applying late may result in a fine. If your application is unsuccessful, you may be able to appeal; seek legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer.

Family members: Family members who want to join you under the Withdrawal Agreement must travel to Bulgaria and then apply as your family member. See the GOV.UK Living in Europe guide for which family members are covered.

Always carry both documents: When entering or leaving Bulgaria or any Schengen country, always carry your British passport and your residence card. Showing only your passport may result in it being stamped as a visitor, which can create problems.

Dual citizens: If you hold citizenship of an EU or EFTA country as well as British citizenship, you should enter and leave Bulgaria using your EU or EFTA passport. When travelling to the UK, you must carry a valid British passport.

Applying for a British passport from abroad: See GOV.UK guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad for how to renew or apply for a British passport while you are in Bulgaria.

UK residents in Bulgaria who hold a residence permit must exchange their UK driving licence for a Bulgarian one within one year of receiving their residence permit.

If you are visiting on a short stay (under 90 days), your UK driving licence is generally valid for driving in Bulgaria. For longer stays and residents, the exchange is compulsory. Contact the local KAT (traffic police) office for the process.

As a UK national, you need the right to work in Bulgaria. Options include:

• • Employed by a Bulgarian company: Your employer applies for a work permit on your behalf.
• • Self-employed / freelance: You must hold the appropriate visa and residence permit authorising self-employment. The correct category should be confirmed with a lawyer.
• • Remote worker for a UK employer: Bulgaria now offers a digital nomad residence permit, with income and insurance conditions. Confirm the legal and tax position with a qualified adviser before you commit.
• • Volunteering: Contact the Bulgarian Embassy for rules on voluntary work.

The UK and Bulgaria have a double taxation agreement. This means you should not have to pay full tax on the same income in both countries. If you spend more than 183 days in Bulgaria in a calendar year, you are likely to be considered a Bulgarian tax resident and must declare your worldwide income there.

This is a complex area — see the Tax & Finance page for more detail, and always use a qualified accountant for personal advice.