# Student visa & permits in Bulgaria

> Student visa, residence permit, registration, fees, deadlines and document guidance for studying in Bulgaria.

Source of record: https://versityspot.com/study-abroad/bulgaria/visa
Confirmation: 16 of 16 sections confirmed against their official source (last 2026-08-08).

## Visa & Immigration

Non-EU students generally need a national type D long-stay visa before taking up degree studies in Bulgaria. The standard fee for a long-stay visa under Article 15(1) is EUR 100 unless an exemption applies, and a personal interview is required. After entry, students complete the residence-permit process with the Migration Directorate before their authorised stay expires.

Do not rely on older low annual rule-of-thumb figures. Official Bulgarian guidance requires sufficient maintenance resources for the period of stay at no less than the applicable minimum monthly wage or minimum pension, or proof of a scholarship. Bulgaria's minimum wage is EUR 620.20 per month in 2026, so the amount can be materially higher than older guides suggest; the exact evidence accepted depends on the legal basis and consular checklist. Visa-stage medical insurance must be valid for the required territory and period and cover at least EUR 30,000. Required foreign documents must be legalised/authenticated where applicable and translated into Bulgarian according to the consular rules.

*Source: https://www.mfa.bg/en/services-travel/consular-services/travel-bulgaria/visa-bulgaria*

## Residence Permit

After arrival, complete the address and residence formalities required by the local Migration Directorate and keep your accommodation evidence, enrolment, funds and insurance current for renewals. Student residence permission is normally issued for up to one year at a time and can be renewed while the study conditions continue to be met.

For EU long-term-residence calculations, time spent solely as a student can be treated differently from ordinary residence, so do not assume every study year counts in full. Keep an unbroken record of permits and obtain case-specific guidance before relying on study years for a five-year route.

*Source: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/student-bulgaria_en*

## Common questions

### What should international students know about visa in Bulgaria?

Type D visa: EUR 100 in the standard student route; funds use a statutory monthly benchmark.

### What should international students know about residence in Bulgaria?

Complete Migration Directorate residence formalities after arrival; student permits are renewable.