Bulgaria Fund Management Partners the Investment Migration Council Event in Paris

Bulgaria Fund Management was proud to partner with the recent Investment Migration Council (IMC) event in Paris, one of the leading international forums dedicated to investment migration. The IMC holds a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2019, enabling it to contribute expert knowledge to the work of the United Nations on matters relating to migration, investment and international mobility.

The event brought together government representatives, immigration lawyers, fund managers, family offices and industry professionals to discuss the latest developments in residence and citizenship by investment programmes worldwide.

For Bulgaria Fund Management, the objective extended beyond promoting the Bulgaria Golden Visa programme. The event provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the growing importance of obtaining a second residence permit and, ultimately, a second European passport in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.

Investment Migration Is No Longer About Tax Planning

Over the past decade, investment migration has evolved significantly. While tax planning and wealth management remain important considerations, today’s investors increasingly seek security, international mobility and access to stable jurisdictions for themselves and their families.

Recent developments have demonstrated that travel privileges associated with certain citizenship programmes are not permanent and may change over time.

In June 2026, Ireland introduced visa requirements for citizens of St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis, reducing the visa-free travel benefits previously enjoyed by passport holders from those jurisdictions. The decision illustrates that governments continue to reassess visa-free arrangements, particularly in relation to citizenship-by-investment programmes. As a result, investors are increasingly looking beyond immediate visa-free travel and focusing on obtaining permanent residence or citizenship in established European Union Member States.

Bulgaria Is Emerging as a Serious Alternative

 

Bulgaria remains largely under the radar within the investment migration industry, while programmes such as the Portugal Golden Visa dominated international marketing campaigns. However, the market has changed considerably.

Although Portugal continues to attract significant interest, investors are becoming increasingly concerned by the lengthy processing times and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for acquiring Portuguese citizenship. Many applicants are now looking for alternative European solutions that provide greater predictability and legal certainty.

As a consequence, Bulgaria has experienced a noticeable increase in international interest from investors seeking a direct route to Bulgarian permanent residence and, ultimately, European Union citizenship.

A Truly Global Programme

One of the most interesting recent developments is the increasing diversity of applicants. Bulgaria has recently welcomed its first-ever applicant from Nigeria under both the current Bulgaria Golden Visa programme and the previous Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment programme (2013–2022). The applicant has already filed an application for permanent residence.

This represents an important milestone in the history of Bulgaria’s investment migration programmes and demonstrates their expanding international reach.

Unlike some investment migration programmes, Bulgaria does not impose nationality-based restrictions on applicants. Individuals of any nationality may apply, provided they satisfy the statutory requirements and successfully complete the government’s due diligence procedures.

Competition Benefits Everyone

While Bulgaria is undoubtedly benefiting from developments affecting other European investment migration programmes, it is not necessarily in Bulgaria’s long-term interest to become the only effective permanent residence-by-investment option within the European Union.

Competition encourages innovation, transparency and efficiency. Investors benefit from having a choice between several credible European programmes, while governments are incentivised to maintain clear legislation, efficient administration and predictable procedures.

Bulgaria therefore has an opportunity not simply to fill a gap in the market, but to establish itself as one of Europe’s leading investment migration destinations by offering a transparent, well-regulated and legally secure pathway to permanent residence and, ultimately, Bulgarian citizenship.