Ivan Petrov
China Regional Specialist
Ivan is responsible for managing complex projects for high-net-worth individuals from the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, overseeing client onboarding, AML compliance procedures, and liaison with governmental authorities. He also administers and reports on alternative investment funds, providing essential operational and paralegal support.
Having lived, studied, and worked in China for nearly a decade, Ivan possesses exceptional intercultural communication skills and deep expertise on China and East Asia. He manages NBLO’s strategic partnerships across Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam, and has represented the firm at numerous events and seminars throughout Southeast Asia.
Before joining NBLO, Ivan was an Adjunct Lecturer in the Chinese Department at the University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he taught Mandarin and delivered lectures on modern Chinese society and linguistics. He is fluent in Bulgarian, English, and Mandarin Chinese.
Qualifications: Sofia University, Tongji University
Languages Spoken: Bulgarian, English and Mandarin Chinese
Office Location: London
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Citizenship and Immigration
Bulgarian Citizenship and Immigration Strategic advice on Bulgarian and EU residence, citizenship and mobility We advise individuals and families planning for their future, their mobility and their legacy. Immigration and citizenship matters are often complex, sensitive and deeply personal. Our role is to guide clients through every stage of the process with clarity, discretion and […]
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Expat Assistance
Overview Relocating to Bulgaria involves a complex set of legal, regulatory, tax, and practical considerations that extend well beyond immigration formalities. Expats and internationally mobile professionals often face overlapping issues relating to residence status, employment, taxation, healthcare, education, and property matters, both before and after arrival. Our Approach We provide comprehensive legal assistance to expatriates, […]
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Private Companies
Advising privately owned companies is a core part of our corporate and commercial practice. We work closely with founders, families, and long-term investors across a wide range of industries, providing legal guidance that supports sound governance and sustainable growth. Our lawyers have extensive experience assisting private companies on both domestic and cross-border matters, including incorporations, […]
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Business Immigration
Overview International business today operates across borders, and companies increasingly require mobility solutions for their people as well as their capital. Bulgaria is a small and open economy whose labour market benefits from a steady flow of human capital in many directions. When businesses expand internationally, relocate staff or recruit talent from abroad, immigration and […]
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Residence by Investment
Residence by Investment in Bulgaria Overview Bulgaria offers a structured route to Permanent Residence by Investment (RBI) for non-EU nationals seeking a stable, long-term base in the European Union. The programme is designed for investors who wish to make a qualifying investment in regulated instruments, most commonly Mutual Funds, ETFs and AIFs, rather than a […]
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How to Open a Bank Account in Bulgaria as a Foreign Business
In this article, we provide an overview of the criterion that overseas incorporated businesses must generally fulfil in order to open a bank account in Bulgaria. We have restricted our analysis to organisations that are structured as companies or corporations in their home jurisdiction. Although Bulgarian law tends to recognise the legal forms of other […]
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Bulgarian Permanent Residence by Investment in a Company
Owning or registering a company in Bulgaria does not, by itself, give a foreign national the right to reside in the country. However, investment in a Bulgarian company is one of a limited number of statutory routes that can lead to Bulgarian permanent residence (PR), and ultimately to a pathway towards citizenship by naturalisation. For […]
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Renouncing Foreign Citizenship for Bulgarian Naturalisation: Section 12 in Practice
Key Points Standard route. Non-EU permanent residents now naturalise under Section 12 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (“BCA”). The preferential routes under Sections 12a and 14a were repealed on 5 April 2022. Residence requirement. Five years of permanent or prolonged-term residence at the date of filing (Sec. 12(1)(2) BCA). Renunciation timing. Renunciation of foreign citizenship […]
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Bulgaria’s RBI Pre-Clearance Regulations: A Guide to Residence by Investment in 2026
Bulgaria’s residence-by-investment programme has entered a new era. Following the country’s full accession to the Schengen Area in January 2025 and its adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026, the programme now offers foreign investors a streamlined route to permanent residence within a fully integrated EU and eurozone member state. The Regulations implementing the […]
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Bulgaria Residence by Investment: Mutual Funds, ETFs and Alternative Investment Funds
Bulgaria has positioned itself as a compelling destination for residence by investment (RBI) within the European Union. With full Schengen membership achieved on January 1, 2025, and eurozone accession on January 1, 2026, the country now offers investors a structured pathway to permanent EU residency combined with unrestricted visa-free mobility across 29 Schengen countries. Unlike […]
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Bulgaria’s FDI Screening Regime: Key Compliance Considerations for Cross-Border Transactions
Recent geopolitical shifts have compelled the European Union to rethink its openness to foreign capital, balancing economic needs against national security. Bulgaria, historically one of the more accessible markets in the bloc, has now firmly closed the regulatory gap. With the full implementation of the amendments to the Investment Promotion Act (IPA) and the adoption […]
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Company VAT Registration Under Bulgarian Tax Law
In this note, we review key VAT registration requirements applicable to companies under Bulgarian law. We do not address other categories of taxable entities such as partnerships, foundations, individuals engaged in taxable supplies or state-owned enterprises. Companies represent the predominant vehicle for business activity in Bulgaria and the registration rules applicable to them form the […]
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Benefits of Bulgarian Tax Residency
Bulgaria’s tax regime has emerged as one of Europe’s most competitive frameworks, offering significant advantages for both individuals and corporations seeking tax-efficient structuring within the European Union. This analysis examines the key benefits of establishing Bulgarian tax residency, focusing on the legislative provisions that create these advantages. Corporate Tax Residency Benefits Flat Corporate Income Tax […]
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Bulgarian Citizenship by Descent: Legal Process and Requirements
Bulgarian citizenship by descent provides a direct pathway to European Union citizenship for individuals who can demonstrate Bulgarian ancestry. This legal mechanism, governed by the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, offers significant advantages for diaspora communities seeking to establish formal ties with their ancestral homeland while gaining access to EU rights and privileges. Legal Framework and Eligibility […]
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Bulgaria Residence by Investment: Benefits of Open-Ended Funds
Bulgaria Residence by Investment (RBI) program provides a combination of flexibility, EU membership, and financial incentives. It is considered by investors as a competitive option among the various RBI programs available in Europe. Why Choose Bulgaria? As a fully integrated member of the European Union since 2007 and now part of the Schengen Area, Bulgaria […]
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Real Estate Residence by Investment in Bulgaria
Overview Bulgaria offers a structured and accessible route for obtaining residence permits via direct investment in real estate. This pathway, grounded in the Aliens in the Republic of Bulgaria Act and related national regulations, is particularly attractive to non-EU nationals seeking legal residence in an EU country with practical advantages for business, family stability, and […]
