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how much savings I need to prove if I live from savings

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theresaweigl

Hey everyone!

Me (german) and my Boyfriend (Italien) are planning to move to bulgaria. For sure we want to stay more than 3 Month and rent a place. So we need to do some official things.

We both quit our jobs and are not registered im Germany anymore.
So at the moment we live from savings!
Can anyone tell me what we need to do step by step to get a permit to stay, and most importantly, how much savings we need to proove, in order that we have no fixed income right now! I didnt find a exact amound of money what you need to proove so far.
Thanks in advance everyone for any help.
Greetings! Theresa

gwynj

@theresaweigl

Welcome to expat.com and I hope you enjoy your new life in Bulgaria!

First, the good news: you are both EU citizens, and for EU citizens the process is very easy (a formality, essentially).

So you can move to Bulgaria, and you can rent a place... no problem at all (even without jobs).

To get your residence permits at the immigration department (normally issued for 5 years for EU citizens), you need to provide 4 proofs (for each of you, so you each qualify for your own permit):

1. proof of EU citizenship:
Super easy, this is your unexpired passport!

2. proof of a home in Bulgaria:
This is the "notary deed" if you buy a place, or your rental contract if you rent somewhere (in both your names). Ideally, the rental contract is notarized... and you get an official - also notarized - declaration from the landlord that he's renting you a flat, and you have his permission to live there and use the address for immigration purposes.

3. proof of medical cover:
Usually they will accept your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will be issued in your own country (Germany/Italy). Or if you don't have it/can't get it, there is a "Medical Insurance for Foreigners" policy which can be issued in any insurance office here in about 10 minutes, and costs less than 100 euros per person.

4. proof of funds:
Usually they are pretty flexible, so if you have funds in a German/Italian or (preferred) Bulgarian bank account you should get a statement and provide this. And you can include a copy of your debit/credit card. Plus you can do a notarized declaration that you have your own funds and you won't be asking Bulgaria for anything. (Bulgarian official minimum salary is about 300 euros per month, so it's good if you can show a year's worth. But pretty much whatever you've got should be fine, as long as you include the card copy and the declaration.)

gwynj

@theresaweigl

The residence permit is a biometric ID card with your name, photo, and fingerprints. It includes your official Bulgarian ID number, and your official address (as per the proof #2). So it's both your ID card/official residence permit and the "registration" / "Anmeldung".

There are standard documents for the rental contract and the declarations mentioned, so it shouldn't be too hard to come up with something suitable (in Bulgarian   German/Italian/English translation).

You can do the application yourselves, but I think it will be a lot easier with a Bulgarian speaking "helper" who can go with you.

This permit is the "temporary" one, after 5 years here you ask for permanent residence, which should also be very easy.

Once you have your offical card, you can go to the social security office and activate your account/number. If you get a job here, your employer should make the social security contributions automatically. Or, if you're not working, you can register as unemployed, and pay the unemployed contribution (which is only 25 leva/month, about 13 euros), which you can do online. Once you're paid up, you qualify for medical treatment in Bulgaria, and you can ask for a Bulgarian issued EHIC card for when you travel in EU.

theresaweigl

Wow thank you so much, that was super helpful. I was checking for hours online and didnt get well informed!
Thanks!!!!

Guest6983

[Post deleted]

Bongabob
@gwynj  Hi gwynj i have just sold my house in Hungary for 87k Euro, i still have my small business in the UK that pays me a small wage but ok for Bulgaria.

I have found a property i like in Bulgaria and will buy hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

I dont have a large amount in my UK bank and i do not want to deposit too much from my house sale as i will be taxed to high heaven, so i want to open an account when i arrive. Can i ask you how much can i deposit without causing concern ? you seem a knowledgeable chap and very helpful to others.

Hopefully i will be moving in the next 3 or 4 weeks, i dont have any Hungarian bank accounts so it will be cash left over after paying for my new house. For arguments sake lets say i have 5ok Euro savings and a small wage from the UK, will that be ok in your eyes to get my relevant paperwork sorted out for residency ?

I am only hoping to stay for 2 or 3 years due to my aging parents both in their 90s now and not in the best of health.

Any input is greatly received

Many thanks Bonga
gwynj
@Bongabob

Ay up, lad...

Congrats on finding a nice house in Bulgaria, and good luck with the move! Hope you enjoy Bulgaria as much as I do.

There's also a couple of quite interesting houses on Ebay at the moment, if you're still keeping an open mind.

Sorry, I'm not 100% sure what the process is for Brits here after Brexit, when they have EU residence elsewhere. With UK passport only it's the dreaded D visa. But if you have a Hungarian permanent residence permit (after 5 years), it should be very easy, and direct to residence. If you have the temporary/initial one, it might not be a sure thing. I think I'd be tempted to scan my Hungarian card and have a quick consult with an immigration lawyer (I can recommend one, if you want).

For finances, I haven't checked the latest requirements, but I know the statutory minimum wage is now 360 euros per month. So certainly they can't ask for more than a year of that (about 4,300 euros)! And probably less will be fine. For me they accepted a notarized declaration (summary: "I have money, I won't ask Bulgaria for anything") and a copy of my debit card. :-) So 50k.... PLUS an income (which I'd guess is more than the minimum wage)... I can't imagine they'd have any issues.

Banks here used to be a bit wild, but the EU put paid to that. You might be able to shop around and find one that will open an account just with your UK passport, but most now want to see your BG residence card, so it will be much easier after you've got your official residence sorted out. They also ask, in general, where your money comes from. And, in particular, for larger transfers. Basically, a few grand shouldn't raise any eyebrows... and as you've sold your house you'll have some official notary documents for 87k, or close to that... so you'd be able to say "house sale" and transfer some of that here without any hassles.

Aside from proof of finances, they want proof of health insurance (EHIC from Hungary or UK, or a local policy for 100 euros) and proof of address (the notary deed for your house after you buy it is the usual one).

Property costs are relatively low here, and the cost of living is pretty low too. If you can buy a house for cash, and still have 50k leftover... plus a UK income... you should be able to live here very comfortably. Especially if you've also got a private/state pension to look forward to.

Bongabob
@gwynj

Yo Gwyn long time no chat fella !

Hope your still loving life in Bulgaria and avoiding those pesky problems.

House sale in Hungary is still dragging on due to the old German boy not sorting his finances out, if not completed this week then he will lose his 15k Euro deposit which is the norm in Hungary, Bought a Motorhome to travel across with, just me n and my mutts, Hungary, Romania and into Bulgaria.

Doggy passports sorted and around a ten to twelve hour drive to get to my destination in Novo Selo, Vidin

Been speaking with some English yocals who have lived there for many years and they sound very happy with the area. Touristy village etc, Paid the deposit on the house sent the money signed the contracts etc and then at the final stage the seller decided he wasnt selling the property any more Doh ??? now i have to start again.

So if i dont find the promised land in Novo, then i may keep on travelling until something catches my eye.

We may yet meet up for a Beer or three, who knows.

Thanks for your help.

Bonga

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