How to obtein citizenship in Bulgaria?

Since the inhabitants of Bulgaria have always been hospitable towards people from post-Soviet countries, the local language is very close to Russian or Ukrainian. The active immigration of our people in this direction is not surprising. That is why we decided to get acquainted with how to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria. This status opens up a range of opportunities for migrants that this truly European and democratic country has.

What are the benefits of Bulgarian citizenship?

From the moment of obtaining the citizenship of this state, the broadest prospects for a comfortable life open up before a person, including

• High social standards;
• Flexible tax policy;
• Free education and medicine;
• The possibility of obtaining citizenship in the EU countries for their children;
• Developed infrastructure and economy;
• Possibility to have dual citizenship;
• Unhindered border crossing within the Schengen area;
• Visa-free regime with many countries, including South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, and the states of South America;
• Multiple-entry visa to visit the United States for ten years;
• Prospects for uncontrolled labor immigration to any EU country.

Most importantly, obtaining Bulgarian citizenship does not oblige you to reside in this country, opening up incredible opportunities for traveling, studying, working, and doing business permanently.

What are the main stages of obtaining citizenship in Bulgaria?

To become a citizen of this country, you must go through a series of successive stages:

• Temporary residence permit (permit);
• Permanent residence permit (permanent residence);
• Citizenship (passport of this country).

Although for incredibly excellent services to the Bulgarian people, most often investment, this can significantly be shortened, which we will talk about a little later.

So, the first step towards the intended goal will be the registration of a residence permit in Bulgaria. This status allows foreigners to stay on the territory of this state for a specific time. This permit is valid for one year, after which it can renew multiple times.

After five years, the immigrant has a real chance of opening a permanent place of residence. But, it is worth remembering that the Bulgarian residence permit allows the guest to leave the country for not more than six months. After exceeding the specified term, it is considered invalid.

What conditions allow you to apply for a residence permit in Bulgaria:

• Employment with a local employer;
• International contract for qualified specialists;
• Opening a private business providing at least a dozen new jobs;
• Investments in the local economy (from 500 thousand €);
• Purchase of real estate in Bulgaria for at least 300 thousand €;
• Studying at state or other accredited universities;
• Journalistic work related to the need to stay in Bulgaria;
• Treatment in local hospitals, subject to the availability of the necessary amount of funds;
• Family ties with a citizen of this country;
• Marriage with a resident of Bulgaria.

Suppose it is possible to invest at least €1 million in the local economy. In that case, we can talk about an accelerated procedure for obtaining citizenship. Within a short period, about 4-6 months, permanent residence is issued without a temporary residence permit. This program is called the Bulgarian Investment Immigration Program, abbreviated as BIIP. It allows you to get a Bulgarian passport in just a year and a half from the investment date. Most importantly, you can use both your finances and the amount received from a local credit institution for such an investment.

Permanent residence in Bulgaria is the next step on the path to citizenship. It is issued to foreigners permanently residing in its territory for at least five years (or six months, if we are talking about investors) if one of the requirements is met:

• Do you have Bulgarian roots or citizenship of this country from your parents;
• Marriage with a resident (at least two years);
• Investment in the Bulgarian economy.

Returning to the issue of investment, it is worth noting that the Bulgarian legislation is highly loyal to investors and allows them to independently choose in which particular area of ​​the local economy they decide to invest their money.

Having passed all the preparatory stages, you can proceed to the third, final point of the plan, namely, obtaining the desired status and passport. Since, most often from the post-Soviet countries, residents of Ukraine and Russia think about such a prospect, we will consider the legal side of the process to them.

So, let's discuss how to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria for Ukrainians and Russians. There are several legal methods, among which the most popular are:

• Naturalization - getting a passport based on the wishes of the applicant (most often, after living in the country for more than five years);
• Possibility of relocation for ethnic Bulgarians who live in other countries (such applications can be considered from 2 to 3 years);
• Granting citizenship for outstanding merit (for example, in sports, science, technology, economics, or culture);
• Investments in the local economy (at least half a million euros);
• Donation of a certain amount (approximately 305 thousand €) in obtaining a loan from a Bulgarian bank.

After fulfilling the requirements, you can submit your application for consideration, a decision on which will be made within two months.

What documents are needed to apply for citizenship in Bulgaria?

If one of the above methods suits you, we suggest considering the list of copies and originals required to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria:

• Copy of foreign passport;
• Copy of internal passport;
• Portrait photos 3.5x4.5 (matte, 4 pcs.);
• Birth certificate;
• Copy of mother's birth certificate;
• Parents' marriage certificate;
• Applicant's CV;
• Family information;
• Medical certificate;
• Confirmation of no criminal record;
• Citizenship application.

If the migration service makes a favorable decision, you will also receive a foreign passport and a single civil number of Bulgaria along with the desired document.

What mainly attracts our people in such a procedure is the possibility of obtaining a second passport. Many immigration firms help with the necessary paperwork. So getting dual citizenship in Bulgaria for Ukrainians will cost about 3,000 €. This is without considering the associated costs that allow you to apply for this very second citizenship. The price of obtaining citizenship in Bulgaria for Russians will be a little higher and amount to about 4,000 €.

Most importantly, remember that there are no agreements between our countries and Bulgaria on this matter. And this means that according to the law of Ukraine and Russia, you will automatically become a citizen of Bulgaria.

Is it possible to obtain citizenship in Bulgaria for a child?

A particular case in obtaining citizenship of this country can be considered the filing of an application for children. According to local law, such a right has

• Children of Bulgarian citizens (indigenous or naturalized);
• Children born in this country and living in its territory for more than three years;
• Children adopted by Bulgarian citizens.

It is essential to know that being born on the territory of Bulgaria in a family that is not a citizen of this country does not automatically give the child the status of a citizen.

In this publication, we examined the main conditions suitable for obtaining a Bulgarian passport and how much money is needed for this. As it turned out, the requirements of the local government for immigrants, especially investors, are very loyal, thereby only increasing the excitement among residents of neighboring countries, primarily Ukraine and Russia.