Obtaining Bulgarian Citizenship and Passport

Bulgarian citizenship is a European status that provides all the rights, obligations, and privileges established by the Constitution of the state, the Maastricht Treaty, and Directive 2004/38/EC. Applicants from non-EU countries and other foreign nationals may qualify for a Bulgarian passport if they have Bulgarian origin, were born in the country, entered into marriage with a Bulgarian citizen, have been recognized as refugees, were adopted by a Bulgarian citizen, or have legally resided in the country for 8–10 years.

Bulgarian citizenship can be obtained through naturalization or repatriation. The procedure is regulated by the Law on Citizenship.

Law on Bulgarian Citizenship

The Law «On Bulgarian Citizenship» of February 20, 1999 allows foreign nationals to obtain a Bulgarian passport if they are:

• born in the country, provided that at least one parent is a citizen;
• found within the territory of the state (if the parents are unknown);
• spouses of Bulgarian citizens;
• citizens of countries with which Bulgaria has concluded reciprocity agreements;
• persons of Bulgarian origin;
• adopted individuals whose guardians hold citizenship of the state;
• refugees;
• foreign nationals eligible for naturalization.

What a Bulgarian Passport Provides

Bulgarian citizenship opens up broad opportunities for individuals seeking to live, work, and build their future within the European Union. It provides access to a stable legal environment, economic prospects, and a high standard of living, making it an attractive option for many applicants:

• visa-free travel to 173 countries (as of 2022);
• the right to reside in any EU member state without time limitations; EU citizenship;
• access to European higher education institutions on preferential terms;
• official employment in any EU country without the need to obtain additional permits;
• the ability to establish and run a business within the EU, as well as to bring goods and services to the common European market without customs duties;
• access to all services of European banks, including lending;
• access to high-quality healthcare in European institutions.

Grounds for Obtaining Bulgarian Citizenship

To obtain Bulgarian citizenship, it is necessary to have a legal basis for submitting an application. Choosing the appropriate pathway to acquire Bulgarian citizen status is a crucial step on the way to obtaining a passport.

Naturalization

Naturalization in Bulgaria refers to the process of granting citizenship based on long-term permanent residence in the country.
An applicant from non-EU countries may qualify for naturalization if the following conditions are met:

• reaching the age of majority;
• obtaining a residence permit at least 5 years prior (the permit must be renewed before expiration);
• having income or an occupation that ensures the ability to support oneself in the country;
• proficiency in the Bulgarian language;
• renunciation of previous citizenship (this requirement does not apply to persons of Bulgarian origin, spouses of Bulgarian citizens, citizens of EU member states, countries of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation, as well as jurisdictions with reciprocity agreements).

Bulgarian citizenship through naturalization can be obtained on the following grounds:

• Marriage to a Bulgarian citizen. After 3 years of marriage, a person may apply for citizenship.
• Obtaining refugee status. A foreign national residing in the country on this basis may apply for a Bulgarian passport after 3 years.
• Residence of a stateless person in the country under a temporary or permanent permit. The conditions include at least 3 years of continuous residence, reaching the age of majority, absence of a criminal record, financial stability, and proficiency in the Bulgarian language.
• Adoption by a citizen of the state. Upon reaching the age of majority, the applicant may submit a request.
• Interest of the Republic of Bulgaria in granting citizenship to a specific individual. A foreign national with outstanding achievements in social, economic, scientific, cultural, sports, or technical fields may be granted a passport without fulfilling the standard requirements applied to other applicants.

Investment

The investment-based citizenship program was abolished by the Bulgarian government on February 17, 2022. However, an applicant may invest in the country’s economy in the amount of at least 1 million BGN (approximately 511,000 EUR) and, on this basis, apply for permanent residence. To initiate the procedure, a citizen of a non-EU country must enter Bulgaria with a category D visa and submit documents for resident status to the Migration Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The processing time for a permanent residence application is up to 6 months. After 5 years of continuous residence in the republic, the investor has the right to apply for citizenship.

Repatriation

Repatriation to Bulgaria is a method of restoring citizenship based on ethnic affiliation with the Bulgarian people. Individuals from non-EU countries may qualify for Bulgarian citizenship by origin.

Specialized migration companies assist applicants in obtaining the necessary documentary proof for repatriation. A child under the age of 14 may undergo the procedure together with their parents, while children aged 14–18 must submit a separate application.

Standard Procedure for Obtaining Bulgarian Citizenship

A foreign national without Bulgarian roots can obtain a Bulgarian passport through naturalization by completing a long-term path from temporary residence to citizenship.

Obtaining a Visa

To cross the Bulgarian border, a category D visa is issued, allowing long-term stay. The applicant submits a completed and signed application form to a diplomatic mission or consular office, along with documents confirming the purpose of travel to Bulgaria, and pays the required fee. In case of approval, a visa sticker is placed in the passport or another travel document.

Obtaining a Residence Permit

A temporary residence permit for citizens of non-EU countries is a document that allows legal stay in Bulgaria (the validity period is up to 5 years). The holder of the card has the opportunity to travel visa-free within the EU and reside in Bulgaria for the duration of the permit; however, additional authorization is required for employment and business activities.

To obtain the residence permit, the applicant must submit documents to the migration authorities on the chosen basis (for example, family reunification, university studies, marriage to a Bulgarian citizen, etc.). The application is processed within 14 days from the date of submission.

Obtaining Permanent Residence

Permanent residence is an official status that grants foreign nationals the right to live in Bulgaria on a permanent basis, access healthcare services, work on equal terms with Bulgarian citizens, travel visa-free across EU countries, and apply for Bulgarian citizenship. To submit an application for permanent residence status, it is necessary to have lived in the country for 5 years under a temporary residence permit.

Obtaining a Bulgarian Passport

A Bulgarian passport through naturalization can be obtained after 5 years of residence in the country with permanent residence status. To do this, the applicant must schedule an appointment, after which they personally appear at the Ministry of Justice to submit the application file. On the same day, the applicant undergoes an interview in the Bulgarian language. Within 2 weeks, the documents are reviewed, and during this period, a request for additional evidence may be issued.

The processing time for the application is up to 12 months. During this period, the Advisory Council makes a decision; if it is positive, the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria issues the corresponding decree, and the foreign national receives a passport from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is issued in the form of an ID card.

Disadvantages of the Method

The disadvantages of obtaining Bulgarian citizenship through temporary and permanent residence include:

• the risk of refusal (for example, due to insufficient knowledge of the Bulgarian language);
• lengthy timeframes for acquiring Bulgarian citizenship (it is necessary to legally reside in the country for 8–10 years);
• significant financial costs, including living expenses.

Accelerated Procedure for Obtaining Bulgarian Citizenship

Repatriation is an accelerated way of obtaining Bulgarian citizenship. The procedure is suitable for individuals who have ethnic ties to the Bulgarian people. This option is considered a priority for applicants from non-EU countries and representatives of other nationalities, especially if they plan to seek assistance from experienced migration lawyers.

What Documents Are Required

The list of documents for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship by origin includes:

• application form;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• proof of family ties with a Bulgarian citizen;
• birth certificates of the applicant and the Bulgarian relative;
• medical certificate confirming the absence of contagious and infectious diseases;
• autobiography;
• recent passport-size photograph;
• copy of the national passport;
• receipt confirming payment of the state fee.

All documents must be translated into the Bulgarian language. If any documents are missing, their retrieval can be handled by legal specialists.

Submission of Documents

The application file is submitted to the Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria, or to a diplomatic mission or consular office of the state abroad. The applicant must appear in person at the authorized body by prior appointment, booking a date on the official website.

Obtaining a Bulgarian Passport

The Bulgarian passport is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs following the issuance of a presidential decree. In addition to the ID card, it is also necessary to obtain a Bulgarian international passport.

Advantages of the Simplified Program

A Bulgarian passport obtained through the repatriation program does not differ from the document issued through the naturalization procedure.

The advantages of the simplified citizenship process based on origin include:

• relatively low costs, as the applicant is not required to spend financial resources on staying in Bulgaria during the application review period;
• short processing time — Bulgarian citizenship can be obtained relatively quickly (within approximately 15 months), without the need for prior residence in the country;
• no requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the Bulgarian language, culture, or history.