Citizenship in Bulgaria - Eligibility and Ways to Apply

There are several ways to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria. To find out if you are eligible and get support, we recommend using our dedicated services, as presented below.

Quick Facts
Residency options	Temporary and permanent residence are available in Bulgaria.
Ways to acquire citizenship	– naturalization; – marriage; – descent; – birth
Living requirement for citizenship by naturalization	A foreign citizen must hold permanent residence in Bulgaria for 5 years in order to obtain citizenship.
Living requirement for citizenship by marriage	Spouses can apply after at least 3 years of marriage to a Bulgarian citizen, if they have held permanent residence for at least 3 years.
Conditions for citizenship by ancestry	Citizenship by descent is available for those who have parents or grandparents with Bulgarian origin.
Citizenship by investment availability (YES/NO)	No
Special requirements for EU citizens (if any)	No, there are no special requirements for EU citizens applying for Bulgarian citizenship.
Special citizenship requirements for non-EU citizens (if any)	No, non-EU citizens can obtain citizenship the same way as EU nationals.
Documents to obtain citizenship by naturalization	– application form; – proof of local residential address; – clear criminal record; – evidence for the means of securing a Bulgarian passport
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship (approx.)	The statutory deadline is up to 18 months (12 months for persons of Bulgarian origin).
Access to dual citizenship (YES/NO)	Yes for Bulgarians by birth, persons of Bulgarian origin, spouses of Bulgarian citizens, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and nationals of reciprocity-treaty states; others must renounce.
Benefits after obtaining Bulgarian citizenship	– low income taxes; – voting rights; – access to the labor market; – possibility to start a business, etc.
Fastest way to secure citizenship	Ancestry is the fastest way to obtain a Bulgarian passport.
Best way to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria	Marriage is the best and simplest way to acquire citizenship in Bulgaria.
Support in filing for citizenship (YES/NO)	Yes, our immigration lawyers in Bulgaria can assist with the application.

What are the ways to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria?

naturalization, which is available for all qualifying foreign citizens;
marriage, which is available for those who marry Bulgarian nationals in or outside the country;
descent, which is available for those who have Bulgarian ancestors.

No matter the way you want to obtain a passport, you must first meet the Bulgarian citizenship requirements, which can be presented by our lawyers.

Can you help me apply for Bulgarian citizenship no matter the pathway?

Yes, our Bulgarian lawyers represent clients seeking to apply for naturalization, citizenship by marriage or ancestry, depending on their situation. In case you qualify for more than one option, we can advise on the best pathway.

What are some of the specific requirements for obtaining Bulgarian citizenship?

Each type of citizenship is subject to specific conditions, such as living and language requirements, documents requested by the authorities, and even interviews.

Here is an infographic on Bulgarian citizenship:

How can I apply for citizenship by naturalization in Bulgaria?

One can obtain citizenship by naturalization in Bulgaria if he/ she meets all of the following requirements:

has held a permanent (or long-term) residence permit for at least 5 years;
has a clean criminal record;
has sufficient funds to support themselves;
knows the Bulgarian language and has a good knowledge of Bulgarian culture.

After how much time can I apply for citizenship by marriage in Bulgaria?

Foreign citizens who want to apply for Bulgarian citizenship by marriage can be eligible after 3 years of marriage, provided they have held permanent residence for at least 3 years.

What are the documents required to apply for citizenship in Bulgaria?

The documents one needs to provide when applying for citizenship in Bulgaria are:

application form;
passport or document issued by the Bulgarian authorities;
recent photograph;
criminal record;
proof of payment of the application fee.

Those who are married to Bulgarian citizens must also submit proof of changing their names; however, if they got married in Bulgaria, such a document is no longer required.

What is the fastest way to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria?

By ancestry or birth; however, this option is limited to those who have ties with Bulgarian citizens. So, before applying, you can have our immigration lawyers check the conditions.

What is the minimum living requirement to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria?

It is 3 years of permanent residence, and it applies to foreign nationals married to Bulgarian citizens for at least 3 years.

Are there other requirements to apply for Bulgarian citizenship apart from the living condition?

Yes, and among them are:

having a clean criminal record in Bulgaria;
having a stable income, which can be proved, and a valid residence address;
knowing the Bulgarian language.

How long does it take to obtain a Bulgarian passport?

The statutory deadline is up to 18 months (12 months for persons of Bulgarian origin), after which the passport is issued.

Below, you can also watch our video on this topic:

Does Bulgaria accept dual citizenship?

Yes, it does. However, if you hold another citizenship, you must also check in the other country and see if you are required to renounce it. Bulgarian dual citizenship is an option for those who were born abroad to Bulgarian parents, and for persons of Bulgarian origin; other applicants must in principle give up their citizenship, unless they are spouses of Bulgarian citizens or come from a country with a reciprocity agreement.

There are also a few exceptions to the dual citizenship rule, as citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can retain their first passports when applying for Bulgarian dual citizenship.

If you need guidance on the Bulgarian passport requirements, do not hesitate to contact our law firm for tailored support.