Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation after 5 years of permanent residence permit

Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship is the most important step for those who dream of tying their life to Bulgaria seriously and for the long term. There are three main grounds for obtaining citizen status in the republic. These are: ethnic origin, investment and naturalisation in Bulgaria. In addition, outstanding individuals with significant merits before the state may become citizens of the country.

The simplest route

Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation is the simplest and most accessible route, requiring neither Bulgarian origin, nor significant investment, nor any special merits. Documents for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation may be filed after five years of holding the status of “permanent residence” or “long-term residence” 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 on a temporary basis (long-term residence permit). Thus, in order to be eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship you must live in the country for at least 10 years. Of course, this does not mean you have to stay in Bulgaria without leaving: the law allows 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 moment of filing the document package you must meet the following requirements:

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

In some cases an application may be filed after 36 months of residence in the country holding a permanent residence permit. This applies to those who:

• Have been in an official marriage with a Bulgarian citizen for more than 3 years;
• Were born on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• Received a permanent residence permit before the age of 18.

The required document package

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

Important: all documentation must be translated into Bulgarian. When filing the application, candidates undergo an interview in Bulgarian with an employee of the Ministry. 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 a lawful marriage of at least three years at the time of filing the application.

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 permit for permanent residence (issued no earlier than 5 years before the citizenship documents are filed);
• 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 on the territory of Bulgaria or in any other country, a certificate of no criminal record from the local competent authorities is also provided;
• A certificate from the Bulgarian prosecutor's office confirming that there are no open proceedings against the candidate;
• A copy of the diploma of education obtained in Bulgaria or a certificate of command of the Bulgarian language from the Ministry of Education and Science;
• A certificate from the employer confirming an employment contract, or a document from the tax authority on declared income;
• Certificates of pension/health insurance contributions made, or a pension certificate;
• A certificate issued by the medical commission at the place of residence confirming the absence of the illnesses listed in the Health Act;
• A document on a 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 such a document is not available, it must be provided within 3 years after the candidacy for Bulgarian citizenship is approved;
• A document showing payment of the 100 lv. fee to the account of the Ministry of Justice.