Bulgarian citizenship can be acquired by birth, by descent, by naturalization, for extraordinary contribution to Bulgarian State, and on some other grounds. and this is regulated in the LAW FOR THE FOREIGNERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA.
In this post, we will explain how to get Bulgarian citizenship by Naturalization, which is in simple terms the right to obtain the Bulgarian nationality, If you have been living long enough in Bulgaria, typically five years since you become permanent resident in the country, then you will have the right to apply for citizenship, the application has to be presented in the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice.
What conditions are required for a foreigner to apply for the Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization:
- Has reached the age of majority (18 years old);
- Has acquired a permit for permanent or long-term residence in the Republic of Bulgaria at least five years ago;
- Has never been convicted for any intentional indictable offenses by a Bulgarian court and there are no criminal law procedures initiated against him/her for an offense of that sort, unless if he/she has been rehabilitated.
- Possesses an income or performs an activity, which allows him/her to support himself/herself financially in the Republic of Bulgaria. also
- Has command of the Bulgarian language, subject to verification by a procedure established by order of the Minister of Education and Culture.
- Has been, for at least three years, and still is, legally married to a Bulgarian citizen;
- has been EU Blue card worker in Bulgaria for a period longer than 5 years.
The person needs to submit a written application together with all necessary documents, in Bulgarian or accompanied by an official translation.
The next step is a crucial one, and one that many people are afraid of: to pass the interview test from the Ministry of Culture, the foreigner that want to become citizens of Bulgaria needs to pass the test that includes knowledge of Bulgarian history, culture, state structure. This is required for the candidate to show their commitment to this country.
Exams in Bulgarian for citizenship
The test is performed at the offices of the Център за оценяване в предучилищното
и училищното образование, (Assessment Center in Preschool and school education) The exam is in the form of a test containing 20 questions and takes place within one astronomical hour. The exam is successfully passed if the candidate has correctly answered at least 12 test assignments.
Example of the test measuring proficiency in the Bulgarian language for citizenship
test-of-understanding-of-Bulgarian-language-for-citizenshipMore samples can be found at http://copuo.bg/page.php?c=24&d=19&page=1
The examination is free of charge for all applicants. Those who have not passed the exam have the right to apply again not earlier than 3 months after their previous appearance.
Also part of the process is an oral interview. The interviewer registers his impression on the candidate’s knowledge of Bulgarian language. The questions in the questionnaire are predominantly personal. They mainly concern the candidate himself, and the answers are open.
The applications are registered and processed by the Bulgarian Citizenship Directorate at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The application is addressed to the Minister of Justice. The Citizenship Council, established at the Ministry of Justice, provides its opinion on the applications and makes further proposals following the written statements of the Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security.
The Minister of Justice, on the grounds of the opinion of the Citizenship Council, makes a proposal to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria for the issuance of a decree (if all documents are accepted, and the test interview approved, and check have favorable results) for the acquisition, of Bulgarian citizenship. The Minister of Justice proposes the issuance of the decree within 18 months, and 12 months if it is naturalization for persons of Bulgarian origin.
