What should I do with my Bulgarian origin?

In this article we will look at why rushing into citizenship can block your ability to live and work in Bulgaria for years to come, how to build the right sequence of steps, and what the key details are when applying for a long-term residence permit and a permanent residence permit.

1. The main trap: why you should not apply for citizenship straight away

When you file documents for Bulgarian citizenship with the Ministry of Justice (Министерство на правосъдието), you are required to submit all original documents confirming your Bulgarian origin.

Processing times for citizenship applications are objectively long and may take several years. If during this period you decide to move, start working or simply stay in Bulgaria legally, you will need to obtain a residence status (a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit).

However, to obtain a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit you will again need the original documents proving your origin. The reason is that the interdepartmental electronic exchange between the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (SABA; ДАБЧ/ИАБЧ) and the Ministry of Justice is not yet developed enough to release the applicant from submitting the papers a second time. SABA will again require the originals in order to verify the origin and then pass the data on to the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior.

Conclusion: If you take the originals back from the Ministry of Justice in order to apply for a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit, the citizenship procedure is suspended. Therefore the logical and most comfortable sequence of events is to first obtain a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit, move, start living and working in the country, and only then file documents for citizenship (and it is best of all to obtain a permanent residence permit first).

2. The difference between a long-term residence permit and a permanent residence permit for persons of Bulgarian origin

3. Long-term residence permit by origin: the filing procedure and the type D visa

When legalising your status for the first time through a consulate or embassy, holding a type D visa is a mandatory condition for obtaining both a long-term residence permit (продължително пребиваване) and a permanent residence permit (постоянно пребиваване) on the grounds of Bulgarian origin.

It is worth stressing that obtaining a long-term residence permit by origin is far from the most advantageous and is a fairly rare choice. In the vast majority of cases, persons with confirmed Bulgarian roots opt straight away for a permanent residence permit, as it grants indefinite status and more rights.

So when might a long-term residence permit actually be needed? The main reason is the need for urgent family reunification (spouses and children). Since processing documents for a permanent residence permit takes 2 months or more, waiting out this period outside Bulgaria may be critical. In such cases the applicant first obtains a long-term residence permit in order to bring the family over sooner, and then, already in the country, files documents to switch to permanent residence permit status.

Statutory requirement: The initial type D visa is issued strictly at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship (or in your country of permanent residence if you hold a long-term or permanent residence permit there). In exceptional cases it may be issued in another country with special authorisation from the Consular Relations Directorate (“Консулски отношения”) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (МВнР).

While in Bulgaria on a short-stay visa (type C visa) or under the visa-free regime, you cannot file documents for an initial long-term residence permit “on the spot” — the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior will simply not accept the set of documents without a type D visa.

4. Permanent residence permit without leaving the country and without a type D visa: a special option in case of employment

For persons of Bulgarian origin (Art. 25 of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria — ЗЧРБ) and persons with Bulgarian roots there are special legal provisions (for example, Art. 11, para. 5 of the Regulations for the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria, ППЗЧРБ).

The law makes an exception: documents for a permanent residence permit by origin may be filed directly in Bulgaria without obtaining a type D visa (for example, while in the country on a short-stay C visa, visa-free or within the scope of lawful stay), but only on condition of official employment.

Nuances and the employment “catch”

Here a legal catch arises, which applicants often encounter:

1. To submit documents under this scheme, the employment contract must be drawn up and officially registered with the National Revenue Agency (NAP).
2. At the same time, until the status and permit are obtained, the foreign national in fact has no right to begin performing work duties.

Not knowing these subtleties can lead to serious fines for both the employer and the employee from the General Labour Inspectorate (GIT). Resolving this catch correctly requires competent legal support.

5. Summary and recommendation

To avoid losing time and original documents, we recommend following this strategy:

1. Analyse your current situation and assemble a complete package of documents with proof of origin.
2. Determine the optimal status: obtaining a long-term residence permit through a type D visa or obtaining a permanent residence permit on the spot without a type D visa (subject to the employment conditions).
3. After obtaining residence status in Bulgaria, apply for Bulgarian citizenship while living in the country without hassle.

Need a specialist’s help?

Legal procedures and dealings with the Migration Directorate, the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (SABA) and NAP require detailed knowledge of the law.

Our migration specialists are ready to advise you on all matters, help you choose the right legalisation scheme, draw up employment contracts without the risk of fines, and guide you from the first step to receiving your plastic card and passport.

Contact us for an individual consultation!