The process of obtaining Bulgarian citizenship is regulated by the Citizenship Act. The country offers several programs for residents of other states.
These opportunities are available for businessmen, young families, and relocators - people who wish to work in Bulgaria.
Ways to obtain citizenship
There are several paths that can lead to obtaining the desired status:
- Repatriation - returning to the historical homeland.
- Naturalization - legal residence in the country for at least five years.
- Investment - investing funds in the country's economy.
- Education - enrollment in a Bulgarian university.
- Employment - official employment in a local company.
- Employment - official employment in a local company.
- Marriage to a Bulgarian citizen.
- Birth - being born to a Bulgarian citizen.
- Refugee status.
Repatriation
If any of your ancestors are Bulgarian by nationality, you can apply for citizenship. It is necessary to prove that you have Bulgarian blood. Documentary evidence is required that your mother, father, grandmother, or grandfather belong to the Bulgarian people.
If everything works out, then you can obtain Bulgarian citizenship already 14 months after submitting the documents. The details of the process are described in Article 15b of the Citizenship Law.
Investment
Investing money in the country's economic development is another way to become a Bulgarian citizen. You can start your own business here, buy securities, or rights under concession agreements.
Naturalization
This option is considered the simplest. First, you need to obtain a visa for temporary residence (TRP), and then permanent residence (PR) - and live in the country for five years. Then obtain a long-term residence permit (LTRP) to stay in Bulgaria for another five years.
Benefits of Bulgarian Citizenship
By becoming a Bulgarian citizen, a foreigner gains the right to live, work, and study in the country, as well as:
- Visit 171 countries, including New Zealand and Canada, without a visa;
- Obtain a U.S. visa with less expense and time;
- Live and do business in a democratic country;
- Study in European universities and colleges;
- Access free medical services in state hospitals across the EU with a unified EU medical insurance;
- Receive state assistance in the form of social benefits and pensions;
- Take out loans and mortgages at preferential rates of 3-7%;
- Receive government support for business;
- Pay taxes at low rates: 5% for individuals and 10% for legal entities;
- Pass on their citizenship to their children born in Bulgaria.
Dual Citizenship
The Citizenship Act does not prohibit retaining citizenship of another country when obtaining a Bulgarian passport. However, there are no agreements with other countries regarding dual citizenship.
This means that a Bulgarian citizen can have a second citizenship, but it will not be recognized as dual. There is no need to renounce the previous passport of another country.
Citizenship by Investment
The entry threshold for investors is quite high:
- If investing in a local company, one must invest €255,700 and create at least ten new jobs.
- Purchasing shares and units of investment funds or concession rights costs more – €511,300. This is much higher than, for example, in Malta (€150,000).
- Investing in a trading company that implements a priority investment project of the Ministry of Economy – €1,022,600.
- Acquiring shares of Bulgarian commercial enterprises traded on the local market – €1,022,600.
- Investing in the capital of a commercial company whose shares are not traded on the Bulgarian market – €3,067,800.
- Opening a trust account in a Bulgarian bank – €512,000.
Unlike other programs, there is no need to obtain a temporary residence permit (TRP): an investor can immediately apply for permanent residence (PR). After five years of residence, one can apply for citizenship.
Citizenship is automatically granted to the investor's family members. Children receive it immediately after the investor. Spouses obtain it no earlier than three years after the investor has obtained permanent residence.
Recent Reforms in the Citizenship Program
Since February 2021, the conditions of the "Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment" program have changed. Investors now have the option to choose real estate for purchase or bond packages.
Legislators have introduced the possibility of revoking naturalization if a person intentionally and systematically harms the prestige of the country. Renunciation of Bulgarian citizenship will no longer be accepted if the citizen has a pending criminal case.
Another change concerns the actual issuance of the passport. A ceremonial event will be held at the Ministry of Justice or at the country's consulates in other states.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Submitting an application for a Bulgarian passport is permitted for citizens of other countries under several conditions:
- Age: 18 years or older.
- Legal residence in Bulgaria for a specified period.
- No criminal record.
- Legal residence in Bulgaria for a specified period.
- No criminal record.
- Proof of official income: at least the amount of the subsistence minimum.
- Knowledge of the Bulgarian language.
Together with the applicant, his/her family members - spouses and minor children - can apply.
The process of obtaining the citizenship by investment includes several main steps:
- Preparation of documents by which the applicant can enter the country.
- Selection of an object for investment and transfer of part of the money.
- Obtaining an investment certificate: it is issued by the Bulgarian Investment Agency.
- Issuance of a category D visa and a residence permit.
- Contribution of BGN 1,000,000 if the foreigner intends to invest under the BIIP program.
- Registration of a residence permit.
- Submission of an application for citizenship. Payment of the remaining part of the investment.
- Obtaining a naturalization certificate.
- Obtaining a Bulgarian passport and ID-card.
Document Collection and Submitting an Application
Before submitting an application to the Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria or its consulate in another country, it is necessary to gather a package of documents. This includes the foreign passport, certificates, attestations, and statements. Copies (two sets) of all originals must be made and notarized.
EU citizens and foreigners with a residence permit do not need to schedule an appointment in advance at the ministry or consulate. All other applicants must schedule an appointment through the Citizenship Office's website.
List of Documents
The list of documents required to obtain Bulgarian citizenship includes the following items:
- Application form in Bulgarian.
- Statement of the applicant's autobiography.
- The photo, measuring 3.5 x 4.5 centimeters.
- Passport of the country of which the applicant is a citizen.
- International passport.
- Birth certificate translated into Bulgarian, notarized, and apostilled.
- For investors – a bank statement confirming the legal origin of the funds.
- Certificate stating the applicant has no criminal record.
- Document confirming that there is no ongoing criminal case against the applicant in the Bulgarian prosecutor's office.
- Document proving the applicant's proficiency in the Bulgarian language: certificate or diploma from a local university.
- Bank statement showing the applicant has sufficient funds to live in the country.
- Medical certificate indicating that the applicant does not have any dangerous diseases.
- Health insurance policy.
- A certificate that the applicant has been legally residing in the state for a certain amount of time.
- Receipt of payment of the state fee.
For adults the fee is 50 euros, for minors and students under 26 years of age - 5, and for those applying under the repatriation program - 15.
The application form for children under 14 years of age is written by a parent or guardian. Teenagers from 14 to 18 years of age do it themselves, but the guardian or parent must sign the application.
Consideration and Resolution
You can check the status of your application on the website of the "Bulgarian Citizenship" Directorate. For this, you will need the application number.
The law allows six months for the application to be reviewed. However, even after approval, there will be a wait for the decree.
Disadvantages of Bulgarian Citizenship by Investment
Obtaining a Bulgarian passport by investing money in the country's economy is a troublesome process. This method has its disadvantages.
- Expensive. Compared to many other European countries, you need to invest more money.
- Long waiting time. You have to wait from two to five years to apply for citizenship. The application is considered for a long time, and the decree on granting the status of citizen is accepted even longer.
- Constant inspections. Local authorities to combat illegal activities and crime often check investors.
- The need to wait for spouses of investors. They cannot apply immediately after he/she receives a Bulgarian passport.