Nationality of Bulgaria: all obtaining pathways
Bulgaria requires five years of permanent residence for ordinary naturalization, reduced to three by marriage, birth in the country or coming of age in the territory. Descendants of Bulgarians have an origin pathway governed by articles 8, 9 and 15 of the citizenship law.
1Ordinary naturalization (residence)
Ordinary naturalization (residence)
Requirements
- Be of legal age
- Permanent or long-term residence permit obtained at least 5 years before the application (art. 12.2 of the Citizenship Law)
- No conviction for a deliberate crime in Bulgaria or pending proceedings, unless rehabilitated
- Income or trade allowing self-support in Bulgaria
- Command of the Bulgarian language, proven before the Ministry of Education or with a degree earned in Bulgaria
- Be released from the previous nationality (exemptions: EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, spouses of Bulgarians and nationals of countries with a reciprocity treaty, art. 12.2)
Documentation
- Model application form (Annex 1 of the Naredba No. 1/1999) written in Bulgarian
- Copy of the birth record
- MVR certificate of permanent residence showing 5 unbroken years
- Criminal record certificate from the nationality country (and the long-term residence country, if applicable)
- Prosecutor's office document showing that no criminal case is open
- Employment certificate or declared income and social-security contributions
- Document proving the Bulgarian language level (Ministry of Education) or a degree earned in Bulgaria
- Medical certificate from the consultative commission (LKK)
- Model declaration, autobiography, passport-size photo, photocopy of the identity document
- Receipt of the 100 leva state fee (BNB account of the Ministry of Justice)
- Document of renunciation of the previous nationality if no exemption applies
2Reduced naturalization (3 years: marriage, birth in Bulgaria or coming of age)
Reduced naturalization (3 years: marriage, birth in Bulgaria or coming of age)
Requirements
- Permanent or long-term residence permit obtained at least 3 years before the application
- At least one of these conditions met: married to a Bulgarian citizen for 3 years; born in Bulgaria; obtained the residence permit before the age of majority
- Same suitability, means, Bulgarian and release requirements as stated in art. 12 (items 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Documentation
- Model application form and general documentation of the ordinary pathway
- Marriage or birth record, with the legalizations and official translation into Bulgarian per procedure endorsements
3Citizenship by origin (descent from Bulgarians, ius sanguinis - arts. 8-9 and 15)
Citizenship by origin (descent from Bulgarians, ius sanguinis - arts. 8-9 and 15)
Requirements
- At least one parent a Bulgarian citizen (acquisition by origin, art. 8)
- A person of Bulgarian origin may naturalize with no prior residence, command of Bulgarian or release from the previous nationality demanded (art. 15.1.1)
Documentation
- Personal application to the Ministry of Justice or consular representation
- Ancestry documents (registry records) with legalization and official translation into Bulgarian
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Bulgaria
How many years of residence does Bulgaria require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Bulgaria (Ordinary naturalization (residence)), the term is 5 years (permanent residency with a long-term permit). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
How much does the nationality of Bulgaria cost?
The official fee referenced in the fact sheet is 100 leva (approx. 51 EUR), state fee per application to the Ministry of Justice (a consular fee may apply if filed abroad). Check the linked official source on each pathway in case it has changed.
Can the nationality of Bulgaria be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Reduced naturalization pathway (3 years (permanent residency); with a referenced cost of 100 leva (approx. 51 EUR) state fee). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Bulgaria require?
The Ordinary naturalization pathway requires: Model application form (Annex 1 of the Naredba No. 1/1999) written in Bulgarian; Copy of the birth record; MVR certificate of permanent residence showing 5 unbroken years; Criminal record certificate from the nationality country (and the long-term residence country, if applicable); Prosecutor's office document showing that no criminal case is open; among 6 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Bulgaria?
Bulgaria provides 3 pathways: Ordinary naturalization, Reduced naturalization, Citizenship by origin.
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