Bulgarian Citizenship by Descent: Legal Process and Requirements

Private Clients, Citizenship and Immigration, Family and Children

Bulgarian citizenship by descent provides a direct pathway to European Union citizenship for individuals who can demonstrate Bulgarian ancestry. This legal mechanism, governed by the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, offers significant advantages for diaspora communities seeking to establish formal ties with their ancestral homeland while gaining access to EU rights and privileges.

Legal Framework and Eligibility

Section 15 Requirements

Section 15 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act establishes that a person who is not a Bulgarian citizen may acquire Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation if they are “of Bulgarian origin”. The Act defines a person of Bulgarian origin as “a person of whom at least one ascendant is Bulgarian“, establishing the fundamental principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood).

Scope of Eligible Relationships

Under current legislation, applicants can establish Bulgarian descent through ancestral relationships “up to the third degree inclusive“. This encompasses – parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

This framework allows great-grandchildren of Bulgarian emigrants to claim citizenship while maintaining reasonable limitations on the temporal scope of eligible ancestry.

Documentary Requirements and Evidence

Official Documentation

Section 15, paragraph 2 mandates that applicants provide “official documents issued by Bulgarian or foreign authorities” containing “information about the names of the ascendant and his/her family relationship with the applicant“. Acceptable documentation, but is not limited to, includes:

• Birth certificates

• Marriage certificates

• Death certificates

• Passport records

• Military service records

• Church records from official religious institutions

Document Authentication

All foreign documents must be properly authenticated through apostille or consular legalisation procedures, depending on Bulgaria’s international agreements with the issuing country. Documents in languages other than Bulgarian require certified translations by court-appointed translators.

Application Process and Procedures

Direct Application Route

Applicants may submit their documentation directly to the Ministry of Justice or a Bulgarian Consulate abroad, eliminating the previously required preliminary step of obtaining a Certificate of Bulgarian origin from the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad. This streamlined approach reduces processing time and administrative burden.

Processing Timeline

Bulgarian origin applications benefit from an accelerated nine-month processing period under Section 35, paragraph 1, item 2, compared to the standard twelve months for other naturalisation categories. This expedited timeline reflects the distinct nature of origin-based claims and the reduced complexity of assessment.

Assessment Procedures

The Ministry of Justice evaluates applications based on the sufficiency and authenticity of submitted documentation. When evidence requires clarification or interpretation, the Consultative Council at the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad provides expert assessment.

Consultative Council Assessment Mechanisms

Consultative Council Evaluation

When documentary evidence requires interpretation, Section 29, paragraph 6 empowers the Consultative Council to assess Bulgarian origin through multiple criteria:

• Language proficiency in Bulgarian language

• Self-identification as a person of Bulgarian origin

• Community membership in recognized Bulgarian minority organizations abroad

• Geographic origins from territories historically part of Bulgaria or the Bulgarian Exarchate

• Nomenclature patterns following traditional Bulgarian naming conventions

Legal Rights and Obligations

Dual Citizenship Provisions

Section 12, paragraph 2 explicitly permits dual citizenship for origin-based applicants, exempting them from the renunciation requirements applied to standard naturalisation cases. This recognition of involuntary ancestral relationships facilitates integration without requiring abandonment of existing citizenship.

EU Citizenship Benefits

Bulgarian citizenship automatically confers European Union citizenship, providing:

• Freedom of movement throughout 27 EU member states

• Right of residence and establishment in any EU country

• Access to employment and educational opportunities

• Consular protection from Bulgarian and EU diplomatic missions

Civic Responsibilities

New citizens acquire standard obligations including:

• Tax obligations on Bulgarian-source income

• Compliance with Bulgarian criminal and civil law

• Maintenance of accurate personal records with Bulgarian authorities

Practical Considerations

Application Termination

Section 29, paragraph 5 establishes that proceedings “shall be terminated” if applications lack the required documentary evidence under Section 15, paragraph 2. This provision emphasizes the importance of comprehensive documentation preparation before submission.

Appeal Procedures

If the Ministry of Justice does not reach a decision within the 9 month period stipulated by law, applicants can request a judicial review of this so-called “tacit refusal”. This does not look at the merit of the case, but solely on the technical aspect if the Ministry of Justice made a decision within the stipulated timeframe.

Processing Fees

Standard government fees apply for application processing, document review, and citizenship certificate issuance. Additional costs may include translation services, document authentication, and legal representation.

Legal Representation

Given the complexity of documentation requirements and potential interpretive issues, many applicants benefit from qualified legal representation familiar with Bulgarian citizenship law and administrative procedures. NBLO’s team has extensive experience in the field.

Feel free to contact us via our Contact from or directly at citizenship@newbalkanslawoffice.com.

Conclusion

Bulgarian citizenship by descent offers a valuable pathway to EU citizenship for eligible individuals with Bulgarian ancestry. Success depends primarily on thorough documentation preparation, understanding of legal requirements, and strategic approach to evidence presentation. The streamlined process, combined with accelerated processing times and dual citizenship compatibility, makes this route increasingly attractive for diaspora communities seeking formal recognition of their ancestral ties while gaining practical benefits of European integration.

The emphasis on official documentation and legal precision requires careful preparation, but the resulting citizenship provides lasting benefits for individuals and their families within the broader European framework.