Bulgaria D Visa and Residence Permit for Retirees
Long-Term Visa Based on Retirement Status and Legal Coordination of the Residence Process in Bulgaria
Bulgarian legislation provides a special legal route for long-term residence to third-country nationals who have acquired a right to retirement in Bulgaria or in another country and who have sufficient financial resources to support themselves in the country.
Canaydın Law Firm provides services on the preliminary assessment of the applicant's retirement status and financial sufficiency, the preparation of documents to be prepared in Türkiye, the coordination of accommodation and banking procedures in Bulgaria with local professionals, the preparation of the D visa application file, and the follow-up of residence permit procedures after entry into Bulgaria.
- D Visa Eligibility Assessment
- Documents and Banking Process
- Residence Permit in Bulgaria
- Coordination with Local Professionals
Who Can Apply Through This Route?
Under the provision of the Bulgarian Law on Foreigners concerning retirees, an application may be considered for persons who have a right to retirement under the legislation of Bulgaria, their country of citizenship or another country, and who can demonstrate financial resources enabling them to live in Bulgaria without recourse to the social assistance system.
- Holding a valid and documentable right to retirement
- Being able to prove the retirement status with an official document issued by the competent authorities
- Being able to demonstrate a sufficient and regular means of subsistence in Bulgaria
- Having a suitable residence/address in Bulgaria at which to stay
- Being able to prepare the required bank document concerning a bank account in Bulgaria and the transfer of the retirement pension
- Meeting health insurance, criminal record and the other general D visa requirements
Key Elements of the D Visa Application
A D visa file based on retirement does not consist of the retirement document alone. The retirement status, accommodation, financial sufficiency, bank, insurance and personal documents must be prepared in a manner consistent with one another.
Retirement Document
The official document issued by the competent institution showing the applicant's right to retirement is one of the main supporting items of the file. The attestation, apostille and translation procedures required for the document to be used in Bulgaria are planned separately.
Bulgarian Bank Account
Specific to the retirement route, a bank document issued by a bank in Bulgaria showing that the applicant has an account into which the retirement pension transfers will be received is important in the file.
- Coordination of the process of opening a bank account in Bulgaria with the local bank and professionals
- Preparation of the documents required for the bank's customer acceptance and compliance review
- Preparation for the file of the bank document required in respect of the transfer of the retirement pension
The opening of a bank account is subject to the relevant bank's customer acceptance, compliance and risk assessment; the law firm does not guarantee that a bank account will definitely be opened.
Accommodation in Bulgaria — The title deed or a lease agreement in accordance with the legislation, and address documents, for the residence in which the applicant will stay in Bulgaria are reviewed. For rented residences, a declaration or notarial procedures concerning the owner's address registration may be required.
Financial Sufficiency — The applicant must have regular and sufficient financial resources enabling them to support themselves in Bulgaria without recourse to the social assistance system. The retirement income, bank balance and, depending on the characteristics of the file, other financial documents are assessed together.
Health Insurance and Personal Documents
- Valid passport and application form
- Recent biometric photograph
- Health insurance valid in Bulgaria
- Criminal record certificate for the initial application
- Marital status and family documents where required
- Apostille, attestation and Bulgarian translation procedures for the documents, depending on the file
D Visa Application from Türkiye
D visa applications through retirement made in Türkiye are planned in accordance with Bulgaria's current consular practice. As of 5 January 2026, D visa appointments are made through the VFS Global system, while the applicant continues to apply in person at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Ankara.
Residence Permit After Entry into Bulgaria
The D visa is the first stage of the retirement-based residence process. After entry into Bulgaria, an application for an extended/long-term residence permit based on retirement is made to the competent Migration unit according to the applicant's residence address.
- Preparation of the residence permit file
- Updating of the retirement, financial sufficiency, address, bank and insurance documents
- Coordination of the application to the local Migration unit
- Follow-up of the foreigner identity/residence card procedures
- Planning of subsequent extension applications within the time limit
The duration of the residence permit and subsequent extension procedures are assessed within the framework of the applicant's status, documents and the decision of the competent authority. Under the current administrative practice, extended residence permits issued on the basis of retirement may be issued for up to one year.
Travel in the Schengen Area
Persons holding a valid Bulgarian D visa or a Bulgarian residence permit in the appropriate format may travel to other Schengen countries for short stays within the framework of the Schengen rules. This right does not mean a right to settle or work in other countries.
Family Members
The possibility of family reunification may be assessed separately for the spouse or other eligible family members of a person who obtains residence on the basis of retirement status. The application route of family members is examined as a separate file according to the nature of the family tie, the residence status of the main applicant and the current Bulgarian legislation.
What We Do for You
Preliminary Eligibility Review
Retirement status, income structure, family situation and the goal of residing in Bulgaria are assessed together.
Document Plan and Legal Check
A file plan is prepared for the retirement document, criminal record, insurance, accommodation and financial documents.
Bank and Accommodation Coordination
The bank account and residence/address procedures in Bulgaria are coordinated with local professionals.
D Visa File and Appointment
The D visa application file is prepared; the current appointment and in-person application process in Türkiye is planned.
Residence Procedures in Bulgaria
The residence permit and card procedures before the Migration unit after the D visa are coordinated with local professionals.
Extension and Family Procedures
Subsequent residence extensions and the applications of eligible family members are assessed according to the existing status.
How the Process Works
- 01
Initial Assessment
The right to retirement, income, family structure and the residence plan in Bulgaria are reviewed.
- 02
Document and Local Procedure Plan
The documents to be prepared from Türkiye and Bulgaria, together with the banking and accommodation steps, are determined.
- 03
Preliminary Procedures in Bulgaria
The bank account and accommodation/address process is coordinated with local professionals.
- 04
Preparation of the D Visa File
The application form and the retirement, financial sufficiency, bank, accommodation, insurance and personal documents are filed.
- 05
D Visa Application in Türkiye
The appointment is booked, the applicant is prepared for the in-person application, and the file process is followed.
- 06
Residence Application in Bulgaria
After entry with the D visa, the residence and card procedures before the Migration unit are coordinated.
- 07
Extension and Subsequent Procedures
The extension of the residence period, family procedures and any additional document requests that arise are followed up separately.
Coordination with Professionals in Bulgaria and Scope of Service
Canaydın Law Firm's Bulgaria D visa and residence service through retirement covers the assessment of the applicant's legal eligibility, the preparation of the application file and legal documents in Türkiye, the coordination of the appointment and consular process, and the conduct of banking, accommodation, migration and other local procedures in Bulgaria together with authorized attorneys and independent professionals.
Procedures that, under Bulgarian law, must be carried out only by a local attorney, bank, notary, translator, insurance company or other authorized professionals are carried out by the relevant persons and institutions. No guarantee is given that the application will have a positive outcome or that a bank account will definitely be opened.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide services in the Greece, Bulgaria and Romania programs?
The new service structure includes the Greece Golden Visa, the Bulgaria D visa/residence for retirees, and the Romanian citizenship programs. The files are carried out in coordination with authorized professionals in the relevant country.