Bulgaria · Startup Visa
Bulgaria Startup Visa for Innovative Founders
Bulgaria's Startup Visa is a certificate, issued free of charge by the Minister of Innovation and Growth, confirming that a non-EU founder's project is high-tech or innovative. It is one of the mandatory documents for a long-term residence permit.
- Startup route
- Startup Visa (certificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project)
- Minimum capital
- No fixed capital; personal funds of 3 minimum wages
- Permanent residence
- 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Varies; confirm with the Ministry of Justice
Startup Visa (certificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project)
The Startup Visa is administrative service 3263 of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth: a certificate confirming that a foreigner's project is high-tech and/or innovative. It rests on Article 24p of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and an ordinance adopted by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 318 of 7 October 2022. Non-EU citizens apply electronically with a business plan, a project presentation and three-year financial forecasts. An expert council with state, academic and business members scores each project out of 14 points, and at least 8 are needed for approval. The certificate is free, issued for one year and names the applicant plus up to two team members.
- Application fee
- None
- Review time
- 30 days after a complete application
- Pass mark
- At least 8 of 14 points
- Validity
- 1 year, extendable by 2 years
- Team
- Applicant plus up to 2 named team members
- Leads to
- Long-term residence permit under Article 24p
Requirements
- Citizenship of a country outside the European Union.
- A business plan and project presentation for a high-tech and/or innovative project.
- Financial forecasts for the next three years covering production, revenue, costs and growth.
- Personal funds of at least three Bulgarian minimum wages, held for 30 consecutive days before applying.
- Optional evidence such as a patent, a fund investment of at least BGN 100,000, a Horizon Seal of Excellence or high-ranking publications.
- Legalized Bulgarian translations of supporting documents prepared in English.
How to apply
- Prepare the application form, business plan, presentation and forecasts in Bulgarian or English.
- Submit everything electronically through the e-government portal enims.egov.bg.
- Fix any gaps within 14 days if the ministry flags incomplete or inaccurate documents.
- Wait for the expert council's assessment and the minister's decision, which is notified within 7 days.
- Use the certificate in the long-term residence permit procedure with the immigration authorities.
How the 14 points are scored
The ordinance spells out the scoring. Up to 3 points go to sufficient means of subsistence and up to 3 to realistic financial projections and capital. Sales of at least BGN 100,000 over the last two years earn 1 point, an investment contract or letter of intent from an equity and venture fund for at least BGN 100,000 earns 1, and a valid patent or utility model earns 1. The business plan and presentation carry the most weight, up to 5 points, judged on realism, readiness to reach the market within six months, scalability, plans to hire up to 10 employees in the first year and export potential.
Questions and answers
Is the Bulgarian Startup Visa a visa?
No. Despite the name, it is a certificate from the Ministry of Innovation and Growth. It does not let anyone enter or live in Bulgaria by itself; it is a mandatory document for a long-term residence permit under Article 24p of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, which runs through the immigration authorities.
How much does it cost to apply for the certificate?
The ministry charges nothing for issuing or extending the certificate. Costs arise elsewhere, for example legalized translations of documents prepared in English and the separate visa and residence permit procedures, whose fees are set outside the Ministry of Innovation and Growth.
Is there a minimum investment for the Bulgarian Startup Visa?
No fixed investment is required. The applicant must show personal funds of at least three Bulgarian minimum wages, held for 30 consecutive days before applying. A fund investment of at least BGN 100,000 is optional evidence that earns one point in the scoring, not a condition for applying.
Official sources
- 3263 Issuance of a sertificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project, StartUp Visa - Ministry of Innovation and Growthwww.mig.government.bg
- The Ministry of Innovation and Growth will issue StartUp Visa for high-tech and innovative projectswww.mig.government.bg
- Ordinance on the terms and conditions for issuing, extending and revoking a certificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project called a Startup Visawww.mig.government.bg
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Bulgaria.
Startup visa
Ministry certificate once an expert council scores the project 8 of 14 or more
02Temporary residence
Long-term permit tied to a 1-year certificate, extendable by 2 years
03Permanent residence
Long-term or permanent residence after 5 years of legal residence
04Citizenship
Naturalization under the Bulgarian Citizenship Act via the Ministry of Justice