Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Most applicants for "golden" Bulgarian passport are from China, Russia and the Middle East

Photo: library

The Bulgarian Investments Agency has certified investments made by a total of 981 persons from non-EU countries since 2014. On the basis of these investments they have been allowed permanent residence in Bulgaria or Bulgarian citizenship. This is what Deutsche Welle has learned after an inquiry.

619 people received the right of residence in exchange of investments and 362 received Bulgarian citizenship. Most of the investors are from China (169), followed by Russia (147), the Middle East countries and others.

In July, caretaker Minister of Justice Yanaki Stoilov announced the abolition of "investment citizenship" and proposed changes to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM