The price for issuing a visa to foreigners would be set at 60 euro, the Council of Ministers decided on December 27.

Applications and processing of a long-term residency permit with a validity of up to six months would cost 100 euro, while a residency permit for up to one year would cost 200 euro.

Taxes would not be levied for locals and foreigners where applicable under Bulgarian law or international agreements where Bulgaria was a party to the agreement, as well as at the proposal of management of diplomatic and consular representation abroad, in agreement with the Interior Ministry, a government media statement said.

Taxes were to be paid either at Interior Ministry in Bulgaria or at Bulgarian diplomatic and consular representation abroad. In Bulgaria, taxes would be payable in leva, while abroad they would have to be paid in euro and where possible, American Dollars or local currency would also be accepted.

The taxes have been updated to reflect the administrative and other costs of the services, the media statement said.