Acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship at birth mostly follows the concepts of jus sanguinis (right of blood) as opposed to jus soli (right of soil). This simply implies that Bulgarian citizenship is mainly obtained through the descent of Bulgarian parents as opposed to being born in Bulgaria.
Obtaining Bulgarian Citizenship through birth
One of the Bulgarian parents, at least: Any child who is born automatically acquires Bulgarian citizenship provided one of the parents is a Bulgarian citizen, whether the birth took place in or out of the country. This is despite where the child may be born outside Bulgaria.
Foundlings
A child discovered in Bulgaria (whose parents are unknown) is assumed to be a Bulgarian citizen until it is proved otherwise.
When both parents are foreign nationals, the child does not obtain Bulgarian citizenship at birth automatically, unless there are special circumstances (e.g. statelessness or inability to obtain another citizenship).
Children of foreign parents, however, who are born in Bulgaria, can subsequently obtain Bulgarian citizenship under some circumstances (e.g. long-term residence).
Special cases
Adoption: A foreign child adopted by Bulgarian citizens gains Bulgarian citizenship.
Stateless Children: A child born in Bulgaria can acquire Bulgarian citizenship if he or she would otherwise be stateless.
Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is permitted, and thus a child born to Bulgarian parents in a foreign country can be a citizen of Bulgaria and of another country as well.
The process of claiming or confirming Bulgarian citizenship by birth
In case the child is eligible to obtain the Bulgarian citizenship by descent, the parents should:
- Register the birth with the Bulgarian authorities (in case of birth in a foreign country, at a Bulgarian consulate).
- Get a Bulgarian birth certificate and (optionally) passport.
Registration or acquisition of Bulgarian Citizenship at birth
Automatically, you are a Bulgarian citizen when at least one of your parents was a Bulgarian citizen at the moment of your birth, even if you were born elsewhere.
Residency in Bulgaria. To formalise your citizenship, you should:
- Register your birth with the Bulgarian authorities (in case of birth outside Bulgaria, at the Bulgarian consulate).
- Get a Bulgarian birth certificate.
- Apply to get a Bulgarian passport or ID card.
Documents required (to register):
- Your original foreign birth certificate (furnished with an apostille and officially translated into Bulgarian).
- Bulgarian IDs or passports of the parents (where necessary).
- Marriage certificate of parents (where necessary).
- An application form (supplied by the consulate or municipality).
Unless you do not automatically acquire citizenship:
Alternative obtainment of Bulgarian Citizenship
Even without the qualification of birth, you can become Bulgarian through:
Naturalisation (standard process)
Requirements:
- 5 years of legal residence in Bulgaria
- 3 years where married to a Bulgarian, born in Bulgaria or established before 18 years of age.
There is a giving up of the former citizenship (in certain situations, Bulgaria permits dual citizenship, although your native country might not).
Introduction level Bulgarian language (A2)
- No significant criminal history.
- steady income or employment.
Process
- Make an application to the Ministry of Justice.
- Swear an oath of loyalty.
- Be given a naturalisation decree and apply to receive a Bulgarian passport.
Investment (Fast-Track Option) Citizenship
Bulgaria has a fast-track citizenship option for investors:
- Alternative 1: Invest in government bonds (5-year investment) 512,000.
- Alternative 2: Investment in a Bulgarian company (and creation of jobs) 1 million euros.
Time scale: Can obtain citizenship in 2-3 years (rather than 5).
Dual citizenship is permitted (no requirement to dismiss the prior nationality).
Ethnic Bulgarians’ citizenship (simplified procedure)
You can claim easier naturalisation, in case you have Bulgarian roots (e.g. grandparents or great-grandparents were born in Bulgaria). Needs evidence of genealogy (papers, family books). No residence requirement. However, you are obliged to take a language test.
Bulgarian citizenship: main advantages
- EU Citizenship – Reside, work or study in any EU State.
- Figure 1: Visa-free entrance to more than 170 countries (US, Canada, and the UK).
- Dual citizenship is permitted (in most cases, you do not have to surrender your original passport).
- Quicker acquisition of citizenship than most other EU states (e.g. 5 years rather than 10 in Spain or Italy).
Take away
In case of eligibility through birth, the closest Bulgarian consulate should be contacted to apply for your citizenship.
When applying through naturalisation/ investment, seek the immigration lawyer to guide you.
In case of belonging to Bulgarian ancestry, collect family records and request recognition.
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Assessing social benefits and welfare as an immigrant in Bulgaria
