{"id":5526,"date":"2025-11-28T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/?p=5526"},"modified":"2025-10-15T19:33:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T19:33:36","slug":"becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/","title":{"rendered":"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Along with the citizenship of Bulgaria based on the origin (country of birth) or citizenship of Bulgaria received by birth in Bulgaria, one is able to gain Bulgarian citizenship by undergoing the process of naturalisation. Naturalisation is the process that is associated with the fact that the applicant can receive a Bulgarian citizenship under the condition that he or she is able to meet the requirements of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"459\" src=\"http:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bulgaria-Flag.jpg\" alt=\"The flag of Bulgaria\" class=\"wp-image-4630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bulgaria-Flag.jpg 612w, https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bulgaria-Flag-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bulgaria National Flag Waving on pole against sunny blue sky background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If a person was not a citizen at birth, they should be naturalised. To gain naturalised citizenship of Bulgaria, an applicant is required to have a series of general eligibility and residential requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation involves meeting residency, language, and legal requirements. The procedure of doing so is in steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eligibility requirements&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To obtain the Bulgarian citizenship in a naturalised way, you are to:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Residency requirement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>5 years of legal residence in Bulgaria (with a valid long-term visa or residence permit).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reduced to 3 years if:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are married to a Bulgarian citizen, and you have over 3 years of marriage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are of Bulgarian origin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No criminal record<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You must not have a serious criminal record in Bulgaria or your home country.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stable Income &amp; housing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Proof of financial stability (employment, business, or sufficient savings).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A registered address in Bulgaria.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Language &amp; Integration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Basic Bulgarian language proficiency (A2 level or higher).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowledge of Bulgarian history, laws, and culture (test may be required).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Renunciation of Previous Citizenship (Optional)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bulgaria allows dual citizenship, but some countries require renunciation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gather required documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0Acceptable Passport and residence permit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0Birth certificate (apostilled &amp; translated).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0Criminal record clearance (from home country &amp; Bulgaria).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0Proof of income (tax returns, employment contract, bank statements).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit Application:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0File at the Ministry of Justice or a regional court in your district.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0Pay the application fee (~20-50 BGN, may vary).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Approval &amp; Oath Ceremony:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0Processing takes 6 months to 2 years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0If approved, you must take an oath of allegiance to Bulgaria.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Receive Citizenship Certificate &amp; ID. After the oath, you\u2019ll get a Bulgarian ID card and a passport.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After 5 years of legal stay, you can apply for permanent residence, then citizenship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of Bulgarian Citizenship&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EU Passport \u2013 Visa-free travel to 170+ countries.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dual Citizenship Allowed (if your home country permits it).\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to EU Jobs, Education &amp; Healthcare.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right to Vote &amp; Own Land in Bulgaria.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Important notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bulgaria does not allow citizenship by birthright (jus soli).&nbsp; The process is discretionary approval is not guaranteed. Consult an immigration lawyer if you have complex cases (e.g., military service obligations in another country).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">European Union citizenship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, Bulgarian citizens are also citizens of the European Union under European Union law and thus have the right of freedom of movement within the EU and have the right to vote in elections for the European Parliament. In the event of a Bulgarian citizen being in a country outside the EU in which a Bulgarian embassy or representation does not exist, he has the right to consular protection by the embassy of any other EU country located in the country in question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bulgarian citizens can live and work in any country within the EU and EFTA as a result of the right of free movement and residence granted in Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bulgarian citizens&#8217; travel freedom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Visa requirements for Bulgarian citizens:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The visa requirements concerning Bulgarian citizens are the administrative entry barriers to the authorities of other states imposed to Bulgarian citizens. As of 2015, Bulgarian citizens can visit 150 countries and territories without a visa or through a visa on arrival, putting the Bulgarian passport in the 18th place in the world based on the Visa Restrictions Index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2017, the Bulgarian nationality was ranked twenty-sixth in the Nationality Index (QNI). This index is contrasted to the Visa Restrictions Index, which concentrates on the external factors, such as the freedom of travel. In internal considerations, the QNI takes into consideration, in addition to travel freedom, peace &amp; stability, strength of the economy, and human development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also view these posts;<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/finding-a-job-in-bulgaria-as-an-expat\/\">Finding a job in Bulgaria as an expat<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/assessing-social-benefits-and-welfare-as-an-immigrant-in-bulgaria\/\">Assessing social benefits and welfare as an immigrant in Bulgaria<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/preparing-for-the-immigration-interview-in-bulgaria\/\">Preparing for the immigration interview in Bulgaria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Along with the citizenship of Bulgaria based on the origin (country of birth) or citizenship of Bulgaria received by birth in Bulgaria, one is able to gain Bulgarian citizenship by undergoing the process of naturalisation. Naturalisation is the process that is associated with the fact that the applicant can receive a Bulgarian citizenship under the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":4630,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[116,114],"class_list":["post-5526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-bulgaria","tag-bulgarian-citizenship"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Immigration residency blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-11-28T12:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-15T19:33:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bulgaria-Flag.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"612\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"459\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Israel Ayomide F\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Israel Ayomide F\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/\",\"name\":\"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-28T12:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-15T19:33:36+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/99bfacd12ab5d4b41eb0f358902b4011\"},\"description\":\"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Immigration residency blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/99bfacd12ab5d4b41eb0f358902b4011\",\"name\":\"Israel Ayomide F\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/680cb11841da7c0438cd05c48df383dc59476d1b66182c15101638a6470fc7c3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/680cb11841da7c0438cd05c48df383dc59476d1b66182c15101638a6470fc7c3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Israel Ayomide F\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/author\/israel\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog","description":"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog","og_description":"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/","og_site_name":"Immigration residency blog","article_published_time":"2025-11-28T12:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-10-15T19:33:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":612,"height":459,"url":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bulgaria-Flag.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Israel Ayomide F","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Israel Ayomide F","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/","url":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/","name":"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation - Immigration residency blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-11-28T12:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-15T19:33:36+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/99bfacd12ab5d4b41eb0f358902b4011"},"description":"Learn how to become a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation, including requirements, process, and key benefits.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/becoming-a-bulgarian-citizen-by-naturalisation\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Becoming a Bulgarian citizen by naturalisation"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/","name":"Immigration residency blog","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/99bfacd12ab5d4b41eb0f358902b4011","name":"Israel Ayomide F","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/680cb11841da7c0438cd05c48df383dc59476d1b66182c15101638a6470fc7c3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/680cb11841da7c0438cd05c48df383dc59476d1b66182c15101638a6470fc7c3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Israel Ayomide F"},"url":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/author\/israel\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5526"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5526\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5527,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5526\/revisions\/5527"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}