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Sat, Feb 04 2012
Property visa
‘WE SPEAK RUSSIAN 24/7’: Russian interest in Bulgaria’s property market is revealed by Russian-language adverts that started appearing in Bulgaria’s fastest growing winter resort of Bansko in Pirin Mountain. This one, dating from November 2008, says ‘if you have permanent residence status this is the place to ask for information. We speak Russian and work with no days off’.
Photo: Tsvetelina Nikolaeva
The Bulgarian Government’s fast access visa system for non-EU nationals who own property in Bulgaria is reaping results with Russians emerging as the largest group, Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev told The Sofia Echo on May 11.
Keremedchiev said that it was Russians, followed by Serbians, who had best exploited the procedure to provide them with a three-year long multiple entry visa.
The logic behind the visa system, which has been in effect for more than a year, provides for granting an entry visa to non-EU nationals who own property in Bulgaria.
If non-EU nationals own property in Bulgaria they can apply for a multiple entry visa for up to three years, also valid for their spouses and children under 21. Applicants must also have had a Bulgarian visa - minimum one year-long, issued before that. Besides the three-year long multiple entry visa, foreigners would be entitled to stay in Bulgaria for 90 days.
"This has had an effect, especially when it comes to interest shown by Russians," Keremedchiev said. "All they need do is present their title deeds to one of the Bulgarian embassies’ consulate services and apply for the visa."
Since non-EU nationals cannot own land in Bulgaria they could apply for this procedure by presenting a document stating that they owned the company that had bought the property. "Many people do so when it comes to owning a single house but as regards owning an apartment in a residential building, there is no problem for non-EU nationals to have the deed in their name," Keremedchiev said.
The procedure came about when many Russian tour operators and real estate companies said that Bulgaria’s protracted visa system policy was deterring Russians from visiting.
The decision was also based on dwindling interest from British and Irish buyers, perturbed by continuing rising prices and the beginnings of the global economic crisis. Russians, on the other hand, still found prices viable. This, allied to close cultural ties and a shared past, made Bulgaria an attractive destination, hence the request for a streamlined visa system.
According to some complaints, property-owning Russians in Bulgaria were also treated the same as Russian tourists. As a result, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry introduced a separate procedure for non-EU nationals that entitled them to access to their property. How this will change when Bulgaria joins the EU Schengen Agreement area is yet to be seen.
Keremedchiev said that it was Russians, followed by Serbians, who had best exploited the procedure to provide them with a three-year long multiple entry visa.
The logic behind the visa system, which has been in effect for more than a year, provides for granting an entry visa to non-EU nationals who own property in Bulgaria.
If non-EU nationals own property in Bulgaria they can apply for a multiple entry visa for up to three years, also valid for their spouses and children under 21. Applicants must also have had a Bulgarian visa - minimum one year-long, issued before that. Besides the three-year long multiple entry visa, foreigners would be entitled to stay in Bulgaria for 90 days.
"This has had an effect, especially when it comes to interest shown by Russians," Keremedchiev said. "All they need do is present their title deeds to one of the Bulgarian embassies’ consulate services and apply for the visa."
Since non-EU nationals cannot own land in Bulgaria they could apply for this procedure by presenting a document stating that they owned the company that had bought the property. "Many people do so when it comes to owning a single house but as regards owning an apartment in a residential building, there is no problem for non-EU nationals to have the deed in their name," Keremedchiev said.
The procedure came about when many Russian tour operators and real estate companies said that Bulgaria’s protracted visa system policy was deterring Russians from visiting.
The decision was also based on dwindling interest from British and Irish buyers, perturbed by continuing rising prices and the beginnings of the global economic crisis. Russians, on the other hand, still found prices viable. This, allied to close cultural ties and a shared past, made Bulgaria an attractive destination, hence the request for a streamlined visa system.
According to some complaints, property-owning Russians in Bulgaria were also treated the same as Russian tourists. As a result, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry introduced a separate procedure for non-EU nationals that entitled them to access to their property. How this will change when Bulgaria joins the EU Schengen Agreement area is yet to be seen.
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Hi I am wondering if the original writer can clarify. Also I see this article is from 2009 and yyet I know of a couple of people who have purchased in Bulgraia countryside without business.
I am somewhat befuddled reading the first statement:
The Bulgarian Government’s fast access visa system for non-EU nationals who own property in Bulgaria is reaping results with Russians emerging as the largest group, Deputy Foreign Minister Milen Keremedchiev told The Sofia Echo on May 11 2009.
Isn't the following statement contradictory?:
[...]
Read the full comment Since non-EU nationals cannot own land in Bulgaria they could apply for this procedure by presenting a document stating that they owned the company that had bought the property. "Many people do so when it comes to owning a single house but as regards owning an apartment in a residential building, there is no problem for non-EU nationals to have the deed in their name," Keremedchiev said.
Pardon my confusion I am American with ties to Estern Europe and I would love to purchase a ice little piece of vacation property. Is American in this situation considerd a non-EU National? Or are you only referring to European Non-EU's?
I am confused by how the previous two statements in the article appear to contradict each other. Are you saying that only a "company" can purchase proerty not individuals? So if my husband has a registered business (In USA) he can buy property such as vacation home? Or is that only commercial property for a business?
Please if original author is not available for comment, perhaps someone else can clarify!
I own property in BG as well but I am a non-EU national from South Africa.
If this law only applies to European non-EU nationals then I might as well start selling. My dream was to relocate under these laws but it seems most laws are not designed for "third world" nationals.
Oh, well when Turkey joins the EU, I will sell anyway if that happens.
the real question is when will we EU citizens be able to own land without having to have a company? EU law states that all citizens should be treated as equal, at the moment any non Bulgarian has to run a company, with its associated costs and administration, that is surely now illegal?
Also and allied, is the need to apply for a residency permit, this again seems to be against EU law, albeit that it would seem from other articles on the site, that the government is now to introduce biometric permits in January.
[...]
Read the full comment />
Anyone else think that we are being treated differently from Bulgarians?
A bit rich criticisng 'develping countries' given the medieval mentality displayed in the posters name.
Too little, and too late.
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
Talking on owning a property? does this new rule applicable to citizens of THIRD WORLD countries? or only to European NON EU member countries??