Bulgarian Citizenship Through Ancestry
Bulgaria is a country of ancient monasteries, Thracian ruins, and snow-capped mountains. From the Ottoman Empire to the Cold War, Bulgaria’s borders may have shifted, but its people carried their heritage across continents.
Today, the country invites its descendants to reclaim citizenship and reconnect with a heritage shaped by resilience. If your parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent was Bulgarian, you may be eligible to reclaim citizenship and unlock new options across the EU.
Eligible Generations
Up to your great-grandparents
Travel Required?
No (apply via consulate)
Ways to Apply
2 ways
Language requirement?
No
Your Bulgarian History Gives You EU Access.
If you qualify, Bulgarian citizenship gives you the right to live, work, study, and retire anywhere in Europe.
That means a new passport is more than just a legal document. It’s an invitation to a new continent of options.
Why Does Bulgaria Offer Citizenship by Descent?
Bulgaria experienced multiple waves of emigration during the 20th century, affecting both ethnic Bulgarians and Turks. Whether due to political repression, economic challenges, or violent displacement (as in the 1989 “Big Excursion”), many left their homeland behind.
Today’s citizenship laws are a response to those historic losses. Bulgaria’s legal system recognizes that national identity doesn’t disappear with distance. In fact, in 2020, the country strengthened its outreach by streamlining its laws to help descendants of Bulgarian origin reclaim their citizenship without needing to speak the language or move to Bulgaria.
It’s part legal redress, part demographic strategy, and fully a recognition of global Bulgarian identity.
Live, work, and study in any of the 27 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.
Who Can Apply?
You may be eligible if you can answer yes to one of the following:
- Do you have a Bulgarian parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent?
- Was your ancestor part of the ethnic Bulgarian or Turkish communities that left Bulgaria?
- Have you ever been recognized or registered as of Bulgarian origin?
Take the assessment to see if you’re eligible:
I May Be Eligible
What Are Next Steps?
Confirm your Eligibility and Begin Your Application Today!
Step 1.
Sign Up and Assess Eligibility
Use our free eligibility assessment tool to learn if your EU lineage is potentially qualifying. For more complex lineages, subscribe for access to our Eligibility Report where we will verify your eligibility to apply.
Step 2.
Complete Citizenship Application Your Way
Whether you are looking for DIY-application instructions, additional genealogy research, or a vetted citizenship expert to help you file your citizenship application, our network of providers and tailored packages are ready to assist you.
Step 3.
Obtain Citizenship
Do you have questions about your recently obtained citizenship? Our network of country-specific experts can advise you about next steps related to your dual citizenship.
Your guide to Bulgarian Citizenship
We cover essential information regarding applying for and achieving EU nationality through ancestry. This blog also explores relocation resources, citizenship programs outside of the EU, and more.
"The idea of applying for Hungarian citizenship always felt overwhelming—until I found Citizenship.EU. They helped me figure out if I could qualify through my great-grandfather and put me in touch with professionals who handled everything".
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Chicago, USA
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New York, USA
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New Hampshire, USA
Get the Bulgarian citizenship guide
Unlock detailed information on timelines, required documents, and legal pathways all in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Bulgarian citizenship by descent?
You may be eligible for Bulgarian citizenship if you can prove that at least one of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents was a Bulgarian citizen. This makes Bulgaria one of the more generous EU countries in terms of ancestry-based eligibility. You must provide official documents verifying the lineage and Bulgarian origin.
Can I apply if my great-grandparent was Bulgarian?
Yes. Bulgarian nationality law allows applicants to claim citizenship through great-grandparents, provided you can document the family connection and their Bulgarian citizenship. This is especially helpful for members of the diaspora who may have more distant roots in Bulgaria.
How difficult is it to get Bulgarian citizenship?
The process for descent-based citizenship is relatively straightforward if you have proper documentation. However, gathering those documents, especially older records or foreign-language versions, can be challenging. Working with experienced professionals like Citizenship.EU can make a big difference.
What’s the easiest way to get Bulgarian citizenship?
The easiest path is through descent, especially if you have documented proof of your ancestry. The process avoids many of the requirements of naturalization, like residency, language tests, and renunciation of other citizenships.
Is knowledge of the Bulgarian language required?
No. If you apply through descent (citizenship by origin), you are not required to demonstrate Bulgarian language skills. This exemption does not apply to naturalization routes.
How long does it take to get Bulgarian citizenship by descent?
Processing times vary, but you can expect 12–24 months from application submission to final approval. Delays can happen due to document verification, translation, or consular processing times. Preparing a complete application from the start helps avoid setbacks.
How can Citizenship.EU help me obtain Bulgarian citizenship by descent?
Citizenship.EU offers end-to-end support for individuals seeking Bulgarian citizenship through descent. Our team begins by assessing your eligibility based on your family history and guiding you through what can often be a complex legal process.
What is the Bulgarian Citizenship Act and how does it affect my application?
The Bulgarian Citizenship Act is the primary legal framework governing how Bulgarian citizenship is acquired, lost, or restored. It outlines the eligibility criteria for citizenship by descent (also referred to as citizenship “by origin”), as well as for naturalization, reinstatement, and special cases such as stateless persons or those with exceptional merit. For applicants with Bulgarian ancestry, the Act is especially important because it explicitly allows individuals to claim citizenship through parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were Bulgarian citizens. It also defines the rights to dual citizenship, exemptions from language or residency requirements, and the documentation standards required. Understanding how the Act applies to your personal case is crucial, and Citizenship.EU ensures that your application is prepared in full alignment with the current legal requirements.
Start with your past.
Start building your future.
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Still have questions? Let’s talk
Have a specific question about your case, documents, or eligibility? We’d love to hear it and it might even help us shape new resources.
