Bulgarian residency for retirees: step by step, without the stress

I moved to Bulgaria myself in 2013 and have helped many older people settle by the sea. The pensioner permit is one of the clearest routes: you do not need to invest or find a job. What matters is a stable pension and carefully prepared documents.

What pension you need

The law speaks of a pension that is enough to live on, but in practice consulates use Bulgaria's minimum wage as the benchmark: €620.20 a month in 2026. If your pension is lower, extra savings in an account help. The bigger your cushion, the smoother the check.

Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026, so all amounts are now counted in euros.

Step 1. A D visa at the consulate

You will need:

• a passport with plenty of validity left;
• a certificate from your pension fund and statements of pension payments for recent months, translated and apostilled;
• a police certificate;
• health insurance covering at least €30,000;
• proof of an address in Bulgaria: a rental contract or the title deed for your own home;
• a bank statement showing money for the first months.

Step 2. The permit in Bulgaria

After entering on the D visa, you apply to the Migration Directorate where you live. You receive extended residence for 1 year, renewed every year as long as you receive your pension and have insurance and housing. The whole route from consulate to card usually takes a few months.

What comes next

After 5 years of continuous residence you can apply for permanent residence, and then you no longer need to renew every year. No language exam is needed for this status.

Where to live in retirement

Burgas, Pomorie, Sozopol and Nessebar are towns that are alive all year, with clinics, shops and transport. Small resort villages are lovely in summer, but in winter much is closed. I suggest a flat in a residential area, on a low floor or with a lift, and with good heating.

My advice

Start with the pension documents, because the apostille and translation take the longest. I can help you find a flat for the rental or purchase contract and explain how everything works on the ground.