Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation.

In addition, outstanding individuals with significant merits before the state may become citizens of the country.

The simplest way

Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation is the

simplest and most accessible route, requiring neither Bulgarian origin, nor significant investment, nor any particular merits.

Documents for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation may be submitted after five years of holding “permanent residence” or “long-term residence” status in the Republic of Bulgaria. These statuses (usually abbreviated as permanent residence permit and EU long-term resident status), in turn, are obtained after five years of residence with temporary residence status (long-term residence permit).

Thus, to be eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship, you need to live in the country for at least 10 years. Of course, this does not mean that you have to stay in Bulgaria without leaving: the law permits trips outside the territory of the state during this time.

Who can apply for Bulgarian citizenship?

What requirements must be met to obtain Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation? At the time of submitting the package of documents, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be of legal age;
• Have lived in Bulgaria with permanent residence permit status for at least 5 years (hold a permanent residence permit);
• Have no criminal record in Bulgaria;
• Have an income or a profession that will allow you to support yourself in the country;
• Speak Bulgarian;
• Have no citizenship/be ready to renounce your existing citizenship by the time you obtain Bulgarian citizenship.

In some cases, an application may be submitted after 36 months of residence in the country with permanent residence permit status. This applies to those who:

• Have been officially married to a Bulgarian citizen for more than 3 years;
• Were born on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• Received permanent residence permit status before the age of 18.

The required package of documents

To obtain Bulgarian citizenship, you must submit a package of documents to the Ministry of Justice in Sofia. This can be done in person by coming to the ministry; documents are accepted every weekday from 9 to 17-30, with a lunch break from 12-30 to 13-30. You can reserve a time for submitting documents on the Ministry’s website at: read here.

The list of documents that must be provided is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria:

• An application in Bulgarian following the template;
• A copy of the birth certificate (notarised and legalised);
• A certificate of permanent residence permit (issued no earlier than 5 years before the submission of documents for citizenship);
• A document confirming the absence of a criminal record in the country of which the candidate is a citizen. In the case of permanent residence in Bulgaria or in any other country, a certificate of no criminal record from the local competent authorities must also be provided;
• A certificate from the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office confirming that there are no open proceedings against the candidate;
• A copy of a diploma of education received in Bulgaria or a certificate of Bulgarian language proficiency from the Ministry of Education and Science;
• A certificate from your employer confirming the existence of an employment contract, or a document from the tax authorities on declared income;
• Certificates of pension/health insurance contributions made, or a pension certificate;
• A certificate issued by the medical commission at your place of residence confirming the absence of the illnesses listed in the Health Act;
• A document on the change of first name or surname, if such took place, as well as a document confirming the identity of persons with different names;
• One current photograph;
• A CV;
• A copy of the identity document;
• A document confirming that the applicant for Bulgarian citizenship has been released from their previous citizenship. If no such document is available, it must be provided within 3 years after the candidacy for Bulgarian citizenship has been approved;
• A document confirming payment of the 100 лв. fee to the account of the Ministry of Justice.

Important: all documentation must be translated into Bulgarian. When submitting the application, candidates undergo an interview in Bulgarian with a Ministry official. Only those applications accompanied by all the documents listed above are registered. Those married to a citizen of the country must also provide a document from the local municipality confirming the existence of a lawful marriage of at least three years at the time of submitting the application.

Bulgarian citizenship

Bulgarian citizenship by descent

Bulgarian citizenship by investment

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