Bulgaria Residence via Trade Representative Office — Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most accessible residence pathways in Bulgaria for third-country nationals is registering a foreign company's trade representative office (TRO) at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI). This regime allows non-EU nationals who own or manage a business outside Bulgaria to establish a Bulgarian presence — with purely representative functions — and on that basis obtain a long-term residence permit renewable each year.

Each trade representative office may be granted residence permits for up to two commercial representatives. Each representative may additionally bring their immediate family (spouse and unmarried children under 18) to Bulgaria under a family reunification procedure.

What is a trade representative office?

A trade representative office (търговско представителство) is a form through which a foreign company maintains a presence in Bulgaria without incorporating a separate Bulgarian legal entity. It cannot conduct independent commercial activity or generate revenue on the local market — its purpose is market research and business promotion. It is registered with the BCCI and must be re-accredited annually.

Why non-EU nationals choose this route

• No requirement to hire Bulgarian staff or pay Bulgarian social contributions;
• No requirement to generate revenue or pay Bulgarian corporate tax;
• Suitable for business owners, entrepreneurs, digital nomads and managers with existing foreign-incorporated companies;
• Up to two representatives per TRO, each eligible for family reunification;
• Residence is issued for up to 12 months and renewed annually without a limit on the number of renewals;
• After 5 years of continuous residence, the holder becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Requirements for the foreign company

To register a trade representative office, the foreign company must satisfy the following conditions:

• Turnover: annual turnover of at least BGN 100,000 (approx. EUR 51,000) for each of the preceding two financial years, confirmed by audited accounts or a certificate from the company's tax authority;
• Tax good standing: a certificate confirming the company has no outstanding tax liabilities;
• Office address in Bulgaria: the TRO must have a physical office address on Bulgarian territory (rental agreement required);
• Legalised documents: the company's constitutive documents (certificate of incorporation, articles of association, certificate of good standing) must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Prepare and legalise company documents — apostille or legalise and translate all company documents. Power of attorney authorising our firm to act on your behalf.
2. Register at the BCCI — we file the registration application and obtain the BCCI certificate of accreditation. Timeline: approximately 10–15 working days from submission of a complete file.
3. Apply for a Type D (long-stay) visa — the representative applies at the Bulgarian consulate or embassy in their country of origin or legal residence. The required documents include the BCCI certificate, a letter from the foreign company, proof of accommodation in Bulgaria and a clean criminal record. Timeline: 10–30 days depending on the consulate.
4. Enter Bulgaria on the Type D visa — the Type D visa is issued for a period of up to 6 months with multiple entries.
5. Apply for a long-term residence permit — within the validity of the Type D visa, the representative applies for a long-term residence permit (type "D" card — продължително пребиваване) at the Migration Directorate in Sofia. Timeline: up to 35 days from submission.
6. Receive the residence card — a biometric residence card is issued, valid for up to 1 year and renewable annually provided the TRO remains registered.
7. Family reunification (optional) — once the main representative holds the residence permit, they may apply for family reunification for their spouse and children under 18. The family members receive a residence permit linked to the main holder's permit.

Annual renewal

The TRO accreditation must be renewed at the BCCI each year, together with updated financial documents of the foreign company. The residence permit is then renewed at the Migration Directorate on the basis of the renewed BCCI certificate. There is no cap on the number of renewals.

How we assist you

We manage the entire process remotely on the basis of a power of attorney — from preparing and apostilling documents to registering at the BCCI and filing at the Migration Directorate. You do not need to travel to Bulgaria until you are ready to enter on the Type D visa. We also assist with finding a suitable office address, coordinating the visa interview, and the subsequent residence permit and renewal applications.

Related articles

• Grounds for residence of foreign nationals in Bulgaria
• Family reunification in Bulgaria

Cases from practice

• Appeal of Art. 24i FRIA residence permit refusal — won at AASC and SAC
• Type D visa refusal from Istanbul consulate annulled
• See all cases from practice →