Bulgarian citizenship by origin, explained plainly
Who can claim Bulgarian citizenship through a Bulgarian ancestor, what the law actually requires, which papers prove the family line, how long the procedure takes and what an EU passport changes for your family. Every rule is linked to the official text.
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Bulgarian Citizenship by Origin in 2026: The Complete Guide
Who can get Bulgarian citizenship through a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, what Article 15 of the Citizenship Act waives, how the procedure works and how long it takes in 2026.
Certificate of Bulgarian Origin in 2026: What It Is For Now
Do you still need a certificate of Bulgarian origin from the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad? What changed in March 2021, when the certificate is used today and how permanent residence by origin works.
How to Apply for Bulgarian Citizenship by Origin: Step by Step
The Bulgarian citizenship application for people of Bulgarian origin in 2026: where to file, the interview, who reviews the case, the nine-month deadline, the presidential decree and the documents you receive afterwards.
Bulgarian Citizenship Documents Checklist for Applicants of Bulgarian Origin
The Ministry of Justice list of documents for Bulgarian citizenship by origin in 2026: kinship records, criminal record and medical certificates, declarations, translations, apostille and the €153.39 state fee.
Bulgarian Citizenship for Children, Spouses and Parents
How Bulgarian citizenship by origin works for the whole family in 2026: children under 14 and from 14 to 18, adult children, parents and siblings, spouses without Bulgarian origin and children born later.
Bulgarian Passport Benefits and Dual Citizenship: What Really Changes
What a Bulgarian passport gives in 2026: EU citizenship, Schengen since 2025, the euro since 2026, living and working in other EU countries, dual citizenship rules and the cases in which naturalisation can be revoked.
Citizenship by origin compared with general naturalisation
| By Bulgarian origin (Art. 15) | General naturalisation (Art. 12) | |
|---|---|---|
| Prior residence in Bulgaria | Not required | Permanent or long-term residence permit held for at least 5 years |
| Income or occupation in Bulgaria | Not required | Required |
| Bulgarian language certificate | Not required | Required |
| Giving up your current citizenship | Not required | Required, with exceptions (EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, spouses of Bulgarian citizens, treaty countries) |
| Deadline for the Minister's proposal | 9 months | 12 months |
| State fee (Ministry of Justice list) | €153.39 | €511.29 |
Compiled from the Bulgarian Citizenship Act (Articles 12, 15 and 35) and the Ministry of Justice document lists, checked October 2026. Both routes still require an adult applicant with no conviction for an intentional crime. See the step-by-step application guide.
Frequently asked questions
Who counts as a person of Bulgarian origin?
Under the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, a person of Bulgarian origin is someone with at least one Bulgarian ascendant. For the application you prove kinship with an ascendant of Bulgarian origin up to the third degree: a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent.
Do I need to live in Bulgaria or speak Bulgarian?
No. Article 15 waives the residence, income, Bulgarian language and renunciation conditions for people of Bulgarian origin. You still file in person, and an interview is held when you submit the application.
Can I still buy Bulgarian citizenship through investment?
No. The investor provisions of the Citizenship Act were repealed by an amendment published in the State Gazette in April 2022. Residence by investment still exists under the Foreigners Act, but it does not give citizenship by itself.
Do I need a certificate of Bulgarian origin from the Agency for Bulgarians Abroad?
Not for citizenship. Since March 2021 the kinship documents go directly to the Ministry of Justice with the application. The Agency certificate is now used in some residence and visa procedures.
How long does it take?
The law gives the Minister of Justice nine months from a complete file to make a proposal, and the clock stops if extra documents are requested. BRIDGES reports that the whole path in practice, including the archive search, usually takes two to three years.