Selected matters from our practice

The problem

The Migration Directorate turned down an application for a long-term residence and work permit under Art. 24i of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act. Its reason: the criminal record certificates on file were, in its view, invalid and did not reflect the true facts.

What we did

We took the refusal to the Administrative Court of Sofia City, attacking both the legal reasoning and the factual findings behind it. Once the court agreed with us, the authority appealed and we defended the judgment before the Supreme Administrative Court.

Outcome

• First-instance court found the refusal unlawful
• Judgment confirmed by the Supreme Administrative Court
• Migration Directorate ordered to issue the permit

The problem

Our client already held a family reunification permit issued by the Migration Directorate. Even so, the Bulgarian Consulate General in Istanbul refused the Type D visa needed to travel to Bulgaria and join the family.

What we did

We challenged the refusal before the Administrative Court of Sofia City. Our core argument: once a valid reunification permit exists, the consulate has no discretion left to refuse the corresponding visa.

Outcome

• Visa refusal annulled by the court
• Consulate in Istanbul instructed to issue the Type D visa

The problem

A defence-industry company operating in Bulgaria needed three specialist engineers on its production lines — two Ukrainian nationals and one Russian national — and had to bring them in lawfully and quickly.

What we did

We ran the EU Blue Card procedure for each engineer: assembling the files, checking that every qualification and salary condition was met, and dealing with the authorities until the cards were issued.

Outcome

• Three EU Blue Cards granted
• Combined residence and work rights for all three specialists
• Key engineering roles filled on schedule

The problem

A Russian couple had lived in Bulgaria since 2023 as pensioners. When they could no longer transfer their pension from Russia, that basis for residence collapsed — and their permits were due to expire in four days.

What we did

Working against the clock, we prepared a complete new file on the ground of real estate investment and lodged it with the Migration Directorate inside the four-day window. Once the new status was secured, we opened family reunification proceedings.

Outcome

• Residence ground changed to property investment
• New permits issued before the old ones lapsed
• Family reunification completed afterwards

The problem

After selling his business in France, a client wanted to move to Bulgaria with his family. He needed one coherent plan covering tax residence, the future of his holding company, buying a home and residence permits for everyone.

What we did

We gave a written opinion on Bulgarian tax residence, the scope of Bulgarian taxation and the treatment of dividends flowing between EU companies. We then set up a Bulgarian company, contributed the shares of the French holding to it in kind, bought an apartment through the new company and handled residence for the whole family.

Outcome

• Tax residence and group structure confirmed in a legal opinion
• Bulgarian company formed and French holding contributed in kind
• Family home acquired through the company
• Residence permits issued for the client and family

The problem

Three partners living in different countries wanted a Bulgarian company but had no plans to travel to Sofia to set it up.

What we did

Acting under powers of attorney, we drafted the founding documents, registered the company with the Commercial Register and arranged the corporate bank account remotely.

Outcome

• Company registered with no personal attendance
• Business bank account opened
• Trading started on the planned date

The problem

A foreign investor wanted a long-term residence permit based on his investment in a Bulgarian company.

What we did

We identified the correct legal ground, built the full document file and represented him before the authorities through to the decision.

Outcome

• Residence permit granted
• Status of family members settled
• Renewal plan agreed in advance

The problem

A client who had lived in Bulgaria for years on a residence permit wanted to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation.

What we did

We confirmed that each statutory condition was met, put together and filed the application, and followed the file at every stage of the procedure.

Outcome

• Complete, accurate application lodged first time
• File tracked until the procedure closed
• Delays kept to a minimum

The problem

A non-resident buyer had found a property in Sofia and needed to be sure it carried no hidden encumbrances before committing money.

What we did

We checked the property and the seller in full, drafted the preliminary and final contracts, and steered the deal through to the notary and the transfer of title.

Outcome

• No legal encumbrances or open risks
• Buyer protected at every payment stage
• Ownership transferred on schedule

The problem

A client’s brokerage agreement let the agent keep the deposit as a penalty if the client chose not to sign the final purchase contract — with no matching sanction on the agent for its own failures. We assessed the clause as unfair under the Consumer Protection Act.

What we did

We wrote to the agency explaining that the clause was unfair and therefore void, leaving no legal basis to keep the money, and that a lawsuit would add court costs on its side. We backed this up with case law from near-identical disputes between consumers and brokers.

Outcome

• Settled without going to court
• Deposit returned in full
• No litigation costs or delay for the client

The problem

A Bulgarian company with foreign shareholders wanted a long-term lease of industrial premises owned by a state enterprise, which could only be won at a public tender with open bidding.

What we did

We prepared the tender file and the manager’s power of attorney, then attended the auction ourselves and bid for the company. After winning, we drafted the three-year lease and the handover record, and helped bring the premises up to fire-safety standards with the required health-and-safety paperwork.

Outcome

• Tender won and three-year lease signed
• Possession transferred under a formal handover record
• Premises compliant with fire-safety rules
• Health-and-safety documentation completed

The problem

A company received an audit act from the National Revenue Agency assessing additional tax plus penalties.

What we did

We dissected the audit act, filed a reasoned appeal supported by evidence, and represented the company throughout the review.

Outcome

• Additional liabilities reduced
• Penalties withdrawn
• Clear tax position going forward

The problem

An employee was let go with no lawful ground, and the employer refused to pay the compensation owed.

What we did

We filed the claim with all supporting evidence and represented the employee through the court instances.

Outcome

• Dismissal declared unlawful
• Compensation awarded to the employee
• Case won

The problem

A recruitment business wanted to help clients hire staff in Bulgaria — work that Bulgarian law reserves for companies registered as labour intermediaries.

What we did

We compiled the registration file for the Employment Agency, made sure every statutory condition was satisfied and saw the application through until the company appeared in the register.

Outcome

• Registered as a labour intermediary
• Can now lawfully assist with hiring in Bulgaria
• Activity fully compliant