Renewing Residence Permit (Lichna Karta)

Hi Everyone,
I have a question about renewing the residency permit card for Bulgaria. I was wondering what happens if I am absent for more than six months. How does this affect the renewing of the residence card? Also, is it possible to appoint a representative ( e.g. a family member) to renew the card for me if I cannot be present 2 weeks before it expires?
-@Ellie888

• it expires, so you have to go from scratch.
• No, you can't have anyone apply in your absence.

@Ellie888  It doesn't affect the residency if you are out of the country for 6 months, lots of people have holiday homes and come and go. You have to be in the country though to renew your cards, no one else can do this for you.

@pat law that doesn’t make sense, residency is residency, you need to spend the majority of your time in the country you are resident in or face losing that status.

Our lawyer said people were having exactly these problems by being out of the country too long. we were concerned because C19 screwed up our plans to travel to BG after we bought our house and it delayed our move. We’re permanently living in BG now, and did a change of address on the Residency card with no issues so hopefully we are forgiven.

I think the C19 situation has allowed a lot of leeway, but going forward there are no travel restrictions or other broad reasons for leniency.

And post Brexit Brits now need to decide where they want to be resident. If they don’t spend enough time in BG they may well lose the card, so holiday home visitors will be restricted to the 90 day rule.

Please correct your title. Residency permit is NOT a lichna karta.

If you got the permanent permit you CAN renew the card. You need to give a written explanation. Say you forgot.

@HelenDinBG still a lot of leeway for Brits. Noone checks border records if you left or not.

@Ellie888

Is yours a residence permit for a non-EU citizen, issued after D visa? If so, is it only valid for a year (or two)? I think immigration calls this "extended residence".

This is NOT a "permanent residence" permit (which some folks call their "Lichna Karta"). The permanent card is a big deal (for various reasons, including that it grants you a status that is both protected and indefinite), and is available only after 5 years of "legal residence" here.

To reach 5 years of legal residence, you would need to renew your permit several times.

Which means that it's probably a bad idea to let it expire... or to spend lots of time outside Bulgaria (I think it's more than 6 consecutive months, but I'm not absolutely sure).

As @GB_2_BG says, there seems to be quite a lot of leeway for Brits (who got in pre-Brexit). We have a special "Article 50" regime for initial (5 years) and permanent (10 years) permits, and they don't appear to be very strict on the absence issue. So probably @HelenDinBG doesn't need to worry too much! But I don't think this leeway applies to other non-EU citizens.

If you qualified for a D visa / residence permit once (e.g. retiree, married to Bulgarian), then you'd likely qualify again. So, arguably, it's no big deal even if you did stay out too long and lost your residence. You could simply re-apply. However, your 5 years clock would also re-start, and that's the biggest disadvantage, and the main reason I'd recommend that you do all you can to keep your residence status.

@gwynj

Is yours a residence permit for a non-EU citizen, issued after D visa? If so, is it only valid for a year (or two)? I think immigration calls this "extended residence".

Yes, it's a residence permit for a non-EU citizen valid for a year and must be renewed every year.

I do prefer to renew the card every year for 5 years so that I can qualify for Bulgarian citizenship. Although I could re-apply but it will be a hassle and like you said the 5 years clock would restart. I'll have to check the laws with an immigration lawyer.

@GB_2_BG

Hi, I meant that the Lichna Karta shows that I have residency in Bulgaria. I'm not sure how to correct the title. I don't know if there's a feature for that.

They are different documents. Did you renew your reaidency permit? Dont mention you left it should be fine.

@Ellie888

Definitely, it's more aggravation to let it expire and then have to re-apply. Better to keep it current/valid, if you can.

I think the usual for non-EU citizens is 1 year only for your first card... but then 2 years when you renew. Then your 2nd renewal will get you to 5 years of "legal residence".

At 5 years you qualify for permanent residency. These cards are issued for 5 or 10 years. And will get you through to being able to apply for Bulgarian citizenship, if that's your plan.

@Ellie888 the Bulgarian residence permit for foreigners is known as "Личен номер на чужденец" abbreviated to ЛНЧ in Bulgarian and in English is known as "Personal Number of a Foreigner" and is abbreviated in English to LNCH

H

My husband an only child is having to stay or rather choosing to stay with her in the UK as she's elderly and unwell. Now our residency cards are ok until February 2025 but I'm here so I have no concerns about renewing mine however will he have to apply all over again if hes still in the UK at that time? Last time he paid extra and had his card in three days while I had to wait for a month.

Her , sorry his elderly widowed Mum

Can probably renew it via the BG embassy in London

It's worth asking..and what documents to send.

Good luck

@wtruckyboy

You mean Consulate - Embassies don't deal with that kind of stuff

All consular services, which may or may not include residence permits, are by appointment only and bookable via email at consular.london@mfa.bg

Drop'em a line and see what they say...

Thanks for the info...I renew in Burgas anyway..but although I was supposed to get a permanent..I have to renew next year..but at least I get a discount as I'm over 70.