Bulgarian citizenship consultancy: we handle your file from start to finish

People who can document Bulgarian origin, meaning a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who was born in Bulgaria or emigrated from it, can apply for citizenship by descent. People who emigrated from Bulgaria in 1948, 1949 or 1950, between 1969 and 1978, or in 1989 and after can obtain citizenship, together with their children and grandchildren. Pomaks and people of Bulgarian origin can apply whatever the date of emigration. Separate routes exist for spouses of Bulgarian citizens and for long-term legal residents of Bulgaria.

From submitting the documents to the Bulgarian authorities until the citizenship decision, the process usually takes 1.5 to 3 years in practice. The duration depends on the type of file, the authorities' workload and whether additional documents are requested. A complete file greatly reduces requests and delays. Children whose parent is already a Bulgarian citizen are registered through birth registration in 2-3 months. People who emigrated in 1989 and after do not file a new application: with the birth certificate, the Ministry of Justice inquiry and the passport stage, the process takes a few months.

The core documents are a civil registry extract, passport, birth certificate and documents proving Bulgarian origin, such as a parent's or grandparent's Bulgarian birth certificate or emigration record. Foreign documents must carry an apostille and a sworn translation. We draw up the exact list for your file during the preliminary consultation.

No. Bulgaria allows dual citizenship for citizenship by descent, so you keep your current nationality while becoming a Bulgarian and therefore European Union citizen. Check your own country's rules as well; in Türkiye, for example, dual citizenship is legal and only needs to be reported.

A Bulgarian passport is an EU passport: you can travel visa-free across the European Union and live, work and study there without a work permit. Bulgaria has also joined the Schengen area. Your rights can pass on to your children.

You do not always need to travel to Bulgaria. A citizenship application can be filed with the Ministry of Justice in Sofia or through Bulgaria's diplomatic missions in Türkiye, that is, its consulates. If you live outside Türkiye, we can also assist you in applying through the Bulgarian consulate in your country of residence. The preparation of your file and the follow-up of the procedure are largely handled on your behalf. Depending on the type of file, some steps such as submitting the application may require you to attend in person; we plan these steps in advance and inform you in good time. Our offices in Lüleburgaz, Kardzhali, Shumen and Bucharest support you at every stage.