EU, EEA and Swiss Free Movement

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a visa or the nomad route to live in Bulgaria. Any stay of up to three months only needs a valid passport or national identity card. Staying longer is still free, but you register your residence locally and show that you work, study or have sufficient resources and health cover. Remote work for a foreign employer and local employment are both allowed.

31 nationalities are on the eligible list. Anyone not listed applies through a different route.

• EU, EEA or Swiss passportRequiredFree movement applies to citizens of the 27 EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Family members from other countries follow a separate residence-card route.
• Register after three monthsInfoStays longer than three months require a registration certificate in Bulgaria. You show a passport or ID card, proof of address and that you work, study or are self-sufficient with health cover.

• Valid passport or national identity card
• Proof of address for registration after three months
• Proof of work, study or sufficient resources for registration

1. Enter with your ID

   Cross the border with a valid passport or national identity card. No visa or arrival form is needed.

   1

2. Register your residence

   Apply for the EU registration certificate at the local immigration or municipal office in Bulgaria.

   2

No extension is needed: residence beyond three months is handled by registration rather than a visa.

• Five years of continuous legal residence gives permanent residence rights
• Keep your registration certificate with your ID for banking and rentals
• Free movement does not change tax residency rules; 183 days usually triggers local tax residency
• Non-EU family members need their own residence card

• Residence rights for EU citizensEuropean Union, Your Europe2026-10-12