This article was written by Emma Marshall — Community Manager
We believe this article is accurate at the time of writing, but regulations evolve. We'd welcome you to contact us for a quick, up-to-date confirmation—we're always glad to help.
Bulgaria's golden visa has long been one of Europe's quieter success stories: immediate permanent residence, no physical presence required, and a clear five-year path to EU citizenship. A bill registered in the National Assembly on 27 July 2026 proposes to change that.
What this article covers:
- What the proposed bill requires and when it could take effect
- Who is most immediately affected among existing permit holders
- How this changes the calculus for prospective investors
- What action clients should consider now
What the Bill Proposes
Bulgaria's Council of Ministers approved the bill on 27 July 2026. It is now registered in the National Assembly and requires parliamentary committee review and two full readings before it can become law.
The core requirement is that all permanent residence holders — including those who entered via the golden visa programme, which requires a €511,292 fund investment — must spend more than six months per calendar year in Bulgaria or face revocation of their status. The bill contains no grandfather provisions, no investor exemption, and no transitional rule. Compliance could be assessed from the 2026 calendar year upon promulgation.
What This Means for Investors
For clients approaching five years of Bulgarian permanent residence and considering naturalisation, the situation is time-sensitive. Revocation of the permit would reset the qualifying clock entirely. Existing holders should not delay a naturalisation application while this bill remains in progress. For those considering Bulgaria as a route to residency by investment, this bill fundamentally alters the proposition: the absence of a physical presence requirement has been Bulgaria's defining advantage over comparable EU programmes. If the bill passes, that advantage disappears.
Clients weighing European options may wish to consider how Bulgaria compares with Portugal and Greece before the legislative position is settled. Marlow Bray is available to review programme suitability in light of these developments.
