Complete FAQs: Gaining Bulgarian Citizenship Through Ancestry

You may be eligible for Bulgarian citizenship by descent if one or both of your parents were Bulgarian citizens when you were born or at least one of your grandparents was a Bulgarian citizen. You may qualify through a more distant ancestor if you can prove your Bulgarian origin through documentation.

See our complete documents and eligibility guide for more details.

No. You can submit your citizenship application for Bulgarian citizenship from abroad by directing your documents through the relevant Bulgarian diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) in your jurisdiction.

Maybe. Some applicants may receive a request for an interview to verify required documents during the application processing stage.

Required documents include civil records like the applicant’s birth certificate; the parent/grandparent’s birth, marriage, and death certificates; and other records showing the ancestor’s Bulgarian nationality. You’ll also need proof of your Bulgarian origin in the form of archive records, military records, or other proof that the ancestor held citizenship. And, you’ll need your current passport, proof of residence, and police clearance certificate.

Note that, if applying through an ancestor more distant than grandparent, the Bulgarian court or the Ministry of Justice may find your documents to be insufficient and demand additional proof.

Yes. Supporting documents for Bulgarian citizenship applications must be officially translated to Bulgarian language by a sworn translator, according to Article 32 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act. Further, documents must be legalized or certified through apostille.

Your child may qualify for citizenship by descent through you if one or both parents were Bulgarian citizens at the child’s time of birth. For children under 18 years old, parents must submit applications on their behalf. Adopted children under 18 may qualify as well, if their adoption is legally recognized under Bulgarian law.

Yes. Bulgaria allows you to acquire citizenship without having to relinquish your original nationality. As an EU member, Bulgaria offers its citizens the rights and privileges that come with holding an EU passport, such as freedom of movement, work, and residence within European Union member states.

It depends. The further back your ancestor is in your lineage, the harder it may be to acquire the required documentation proving your Bulgarian origin. That’s why we recommend working with our team of citizenship experts to make the process easier for you.

The time frame varies based on your case, but generally, it takes 12–24 months when applying for Bulgarian citizenship by descent.