Bulgaria’s caretaker government approves draft amendments to Foreigners Act
Meeting on January 15, Bulgaria’s caretaker government approved draft amendments to the Foreigners Act, to be tabled in Parliament, the government information service said.
The amendments include those affecting the conditions for entry and residence of third-country (meaning, non-EU) nationals for highly-qualified employment.
The amendments provide for a legal possibility to change an employer after the first 12 months of highly qualified employment, change the position held by a Blue Card holder, including the performance of specific work by the holders of this card issued in another EU member state, without requiring any permit other than the EU Blue Card and a regular passport.
The conditions for entry and stay of third-country nationals for the purpose of employment of seasonal workers are amended. After receiving a residence document, it will be possible to extend the period of residence of a foreigner for a period of up to 90 days.
The scope of the Foreigners Act is to be expanded with a prescribed procedure for granting the right of residence in Bulgaria to foreigners classified as specialists.
The requirements for applicants for permanent residence are unified, the statement said, without giving further detail.
The procedure for presenting the right of long-term residence for investors is “optimised,” the statement said.
New conditions are being introduced for granting a residence permit on the basis of documents submitted showing an annual turnover of at least 500 000 leva or its equivalent in currency for a period of two years prior to the registration of the commercial representation of a foreign company in Bulgaria. It is also envisaged that up to two representatives will be able to obtain a permit on this basis.
The procedure for interaction of the relevant state structures involved in the process of issuing the relevant type of residence permit is being improved, according to the statement.
The possibility is provided for the Border Police Directorate General to impose coercive administrative measures against citizens of EU member states, which is currently missing from the law on the entry, residence and exit from Bulgaria for EU citizens and their family members.
An amendment proposes eliminating the possibility of granting residence to foreigners wishing to carry out non-profit activities.
The amendments are also linked to implementation of the Schengen Borders Code. Bulgaria’s air and sea ports were integrated into Schengen at the end of March 2024 and its land borders at the beginning of January 2025.
According to the regulation, the stay of third-country nationals on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria begins to be considered as a stay on the territory of the Schengen zone and in this regard, the draft amendments provide for a general rule for stay under the Schengen Borders Code.
(Illustration: Joh Tal)
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