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Evening, yes take same docs as before with you, they may ask for updated versions too and i expect this will be the case. i suggest go and try to sort it in early jan or even late Dec.

let me know how it goes rgds ozzy

I recently got my ten-year permanent residency card: all they wanted to see was my passport and the notary deed of the property where we live. It probably wouldn't hurt to take a bank statement, just in case, but they didn't ask to see one in my case.

Thank you both for your informative replies

I replaced my 5 year residency for the "10 years" a few months ago (brit).

I had to show a bank statement (well actually it was just a page saying I had an account), proof of address and insurance (I had an old EHIC that had one day left!...said they no longer need it to be valid for the whole period of the residency).

I didn't have to provide any evidence of time spent in BG over the last 5 years and seemingly they didn't seem to check any absences, as I haven't been there much.

I was told you could renew a month before it expired, which is what I did because my original EHIC was running out.

Thank you Village life

Do I need to pick up some more forms to fill out again like we did the first time as our address hasnt changed or do I just need to take the stuff that we took in last time with a new bank statement?

@Kath948381

I had to fill out a new form (but it seemed to be the exact same form as last time). Showed bank, EHIC and proof of address.

@Kath948381

YMMV - the folks at the different offices seem to make it up as they go along.

I had a form to fill in (you might find it useful to get one in advance if your Bulgarian is a bit shaky) but it's fairly straightforward.

Thank you for your answers

I just got my Permanent Residence card last week. The Office has already changed the card format to the latest EU uniformed residence permit card types. (Blue purple colour. The old one was red pink colour.) It is better to have it renewed.

Well I went to the migration office last week but was told it was much too early to collect the forms SK I'll try again in another months time.

@Kath948381

When does your current resident card expire?.

I was told you can renew/apply for new residence up to 1 month before your current card expires.

My previous 5-year card was due to expire in August 2026; I renewed it in July of this year and got a 10-year Permanent one in exchange.  This was in Sofia, and no-one raised an eyebrow when I applied.

@JimJ

Wow! And you didn't have any other previous residency cards before the 5 year one?.

Mine was done in Plovdiv. First 5 year residence card as EU citizen (Pre-Brexit) in Sep 2019. Exchanged 5 year residence card after Brexit under Article 50 in Sep 2022 (Well I got fined for a small fee because I could not exchange it during covid. Expiry date in 2027). Exchanged 10 year permanent residence under Article 50 in Sep 2024.

I think if your card is 5 year, you can renew it 1 month before the expiry date. But my case is that my 2nd card was already extended before, so the permanent card was renewed weeks after my 5 year period.

@VillageLife

TBH, I can't remember.  I spent years living between the UK and BG in the pre-Brexit days, then several years commuting between Sofia and London; no-one ever asked me any questions, and I didn't get around to getting a card until almost the last minute of the WA.

The BG authorities have me registered for so many things under my UK documentation that I didn't, and still don't, see any point rocking the boat by telling them that I'm also an EU citizen. 😄

How does local address proof work for residency card applications? If say, I recently got my D visa and have not yet secured a rental location, can I submit resident card application without proof of address?

If no, then I am guessing a rental agreement of some sort would be bare minimum. Can I provide a friend's or lawyer's address as a filler? Or do they need a 3-6 month rent agreement under my name?

I am not sure about the D visa process as I registered before the end of the Brexit transition period. However I had someone just sign to say I lived at their house (didn't need an actual contract or details of how much rent etc).

@VillageLife

For clarity it was the owner of the property signing a declaration that I lived there...or something like that.

@esha71

You definitely can't submit without proof of address. As mentioned by @VillageLife, there is a formal declaration by the landlord/property owner that must be filled in/signed/notarized. You might get away with just this document, but I think it's unlikely. You'll likely need both this declaration and a rental contract (or instead of these two, you can buy a property and submit your Notary Act, or deed).

I did this declaration recently as part of my father's residence application (he's 97 and in my care, and we applied under Family Reunification). The declaration was not sufficient, I had to provide my Notary Act (deed) for the address listed. While I didn't need to create a fake rental contract for him, I had to provide a separate financial declaration that I would cover all his accommodation and living costs.

If you're using an immigration attorney to help with your residence application, I would not be surprised if he can (for a small fee) rustle up a rental contract to keep immigration happy. That's what my attorney did (real contract, real property, real landlord... but you can't stay there).

Also, breaking a lease here in not a big deal, unlike the USA where they might chase you for the full rent. Here, you could probably find a super cheap studio for 300 euros per month, get the contract and landlord declaration... get your residence permit... then give notice to quit. You'd probably lose your deposit, and a couple of months of rent (and some commission, if you rent via an agent)... tops 1,200 euros.

Also, the rental contract doesn't need to be notarized, as long as your Landlord Declaration is (or vice versa).

Thanks @Gwynj and @villagelife for the detailed response.