Bulgaria Proposes Raising Long-Stay Visa Fee to €120

Bulgaria Proposes Increase to Long-Stay Type D Visa Fee

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put forward a proposal to increase the processing fee for long-stay Type D visas. The current fee of €100 is set to rise to €120, marking a 20% increase for individuals seeking to establish temporary or permanent residence in the country. This proposed change is currently undergoing a 30-day public consultation period, meaning it has not yet been enacted into law.

The ministry states that the current fee no longer covers the actual costs associated with processing these applications. They also point to a review of fees in other European Union member states, where the average processing charge for similar visas is €113, with nearly half of EU countries already charging €120 or more. This adjustment aims to align Bulgaria’s fees more closely with common practices across the EU.

Rationale Behind the Fee Adjustment

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has cited several key reasons for proposing the increase in the Type D visa fee. Rising operational expenses, including material, technical, and administrative costs, have made the current €100 charge insufficient to cover the services provided. The ministry argues that a fee below the EU average can also lead to fiscal, administrative, and migration risks.

Furthermore, the ministry suggests that a lower fee can attract a higher volume of applications, some of which may ultimately be rejected. This increased application activity can place additional pressure on consular services and migration authorities. By increasing the fee, the ministry hopes to better reflect the cost of processing and potentially manage the volume of applications more effectively.

EU Comparison and Cost Burden

A significant part of the ministry’s justification for the proposed €120 fee is based on a comparison with other EU member states. Their research indicates that the EU average for such visa processing fees is €113. Many countries within the bloc already charge €120 or even higher amounts for long-stay visas. This proposal aims to bring Bulgaria’s fee structure more in line with these established European standards.

The ministry’s argument is that maintaining a fee significantly below the EU average creates an imbalance. This imbalance, they contend, can contribute to fiscal pressures and administrative burdens. The proposed increase is seen as a necessary step to ensure that the visa processing system is financially sustainable and aligns with the practices of its European partners.

Exemption for Family Members Remains

Despite the proposed fee increase for general applicants, the draft proposal includes a provision to maintain the existing exemption for family members of Bulgarian citizens. Under current regulations, relatives of Bulgarian nationals are not required to pay the visa processing fee. This exemption would continue to apply even if the new €120 fee is enacted for other applicants.

This means that the proposed tariff change would not affect all individuals seeking a Type D visa equally. The waiver for family members is a separate aspect of the current visa rules that the ministry intends to preserve. The focus of the proposed adjustment remains on the processing charge for applicants who are currently liable to pay the fee.

Long-Standing Tariff Set to Change

The current €100 fee for a Type D visa has been in place since 2008. This proposal represents a significant update to a tariff that has remained unchanged for over 15 years. The ministry’s plan to revise this long-standing amount is part of a broader effort to modernize Bulgaria’s visa processing system and its associated fees.

In addition to the visa fee adjustment, the proposal also includes a technical provision regarding the currency used for collecting tariffs within Bulgaria. This provision addresses how tariffs will be collected in euros following Bulgaria’s currency changes. While this is a separate matter from the visa’s eligibility or duration, it is included in the same draft proposal as the Type D fee adjustment.

The draft was submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Velislava Petrova-Chamova, and has opened a 30-day period for public comment. Until this consultation process concludes and the proposal is officially enacted, the existing €100 fee and the family member exemption for Type D visas will remain in effect.

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