Bulgaria is to introduce a new definition of the term 'foreigner' that excludes citizens of EU member countries.

The change would be introduced through modifications in the country's Foreigners Act.

According to the amendments, a foreigner would be each person who is not a citizen of an EU member state, a country from the European Economic Community or of Switzerland. Current regulation say that each person of origin other than Bulgarian is a foreigner.

Changes to the Foreigners Act are needed because of Bulgaria's upcoming EU entry and the commitments listed in the country's accession treaty. The country needs to synchronise with European norms its regulations on the status of foreigners.

Visas would be issued from now on in the form of a unanimously accepted in the EU sticker, a Council of Ministers press release said.

A facilitated visa procedure will be introduced for foreigners willing to carry out research in Bulgaria.

Foreigners, who have received residence permit for another EU member state would also have the right to acquire residence permit for Bulgaria for a period exceeding three months.