@Melvyn Dawson
As Gwyn says, you should have a ten year card by now, if not, you should certainly get one this time around.
I, literally, have just come back from the third visit to Varna Immigration Office.
I originally, got my first long-term residency card in Veliko Tarnovo, at the KAT Office, in October 2020.
Interestingly, when they issued it, the card was only valid until January 2025, some 4 years and 3 months - I was not able to question this at the time of issue.聽 Fast forward to January 2025 and armed with my about to expire card, my passport, marriage certificate (my wife is Bulgarian married May 2021) , notarised deeds of the property I own, I went to the Varna Immigration Office.聽 They couldn't understand either, why my original card had been issued for the 4 years and 3 months, but said I have to complete five actual years in Bulgaria, before they'll give me a ten year card. As my existing card was about to expire, they could issue me with a card to see me through to the five years.
I also needed to sign and have translated in front of a notary and have notarised, a document saying I can finance myself, without the help of the state (which I can). Also required was a document from the NRA showing I'm fully registered and up to date with payments for the health service. This all meant a lot of tooing and froing from notaries and NRA office. However, we completed everything required, handed it in and upon collection of my temporary fill in card, found they'd issued another five year card.聽 This, of course, they are obligated to do, as to issue anything less, would be against the rules that apply to me.
Fast forward December 2025 (we didn't have time to go in October / November)....
First visit....聽 聽Show passport and ID card. Get given form to complete in both English and Bulgarian in Cyrillics - must be both languages.
Form was pretty straightforward, but must be accurate and no mistakes.
Then had to notarise the deeds (as before) of the property I own.
Did not need marriage certificate this time, nor did I need to sign finance statement, nor did I need the medical service evidence.
Took form back next day with notarized deeds, handed them in and was instructed to go to another office to pay a tax (about 17 Leva from memory) back to the main office again, with the tax receipt.聽
Told to return in three working days, when they will have processed the application.
Went there today and, indeed, they'd processed the application. Hand in passport and ID again and then get handed another form, that was entirely in Bulgarian, that my wife completed for me - pretty much repetitive stuff as the original form.聽 Handed that form back and they sign and stamp it, give it back to you, to take to the office across the road, to pay the tax for the card issuance - this time 18 Leva (30 days service) plus 5 Leva admin tax - 23 Leva total.聽 Back to main office, get to desk, sign goes up "on lunch break, back in 5 mins" haha...聽 Wait twenty mins, new woman occupies desk. Takes forms and tax receipt. No need for photos or fingerprints, as they already have those, so told to come back end of January, when the new 10 year, Permanent Residency card will be ready. Walk out feeling happy and satisfied with achieving our goal.
