Applicants under the Bulgaria Golden Visa program are eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization. To qualify, individuals must have maintained long-term or permanent residency in Bulgaria for at least five years. A key requirement for naturalization is demonstrating basic proficiency in the Bulgarian language (A1 level or higher). While full fluency is not necessary, applicants should be able to understand and communicate in Bulgarian at a fundamental level to meet the language requirement for citizenship.

Bulgarian Citizenship by Naturalization Article 12:

To qualify under Article 12, an applicant must:

  • Be over 18 years old.
  • Have been granted permanent or long-term residency at least five years prior. Understand the residency requirements for Bulgarian citizenship. 
  • Have a clean criminal record in Bulgaria and not currently be subject to any criminal proceedings, unless rehabilitated.
  • Meet the financial self-sustainability requirements.
  • Pass a Bulgarian language exam or qualify for an exemption from this exam.
  • Be released or willing to be released from their current citizenship upon acquiring Bulgarian citizenship, except to:
    Applicants not required to renounce their current citizenship include:

    • Applicants who are spouses of Bulgarian citizens;
    • Citizens of an EU member state, EEA state, or of the Swiss Confederation;
    • Citizens of countries with which the Republic of Bulgaria has concluded treaties that establish reciprocity.

Bulgarian Language Exam for Bulgarian citizenship:

The language exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions, requiring a minimum of 12 correct answers to pass. Our services include comprehensive support for exam preparation, registration, and results management. Learn more about the Bulgarian language requirements and exemptions. 

Bulgarian Citizenship through Marriage to a Bulgarian Citizen

While you must meet the general criteria for naturalization, the requirement for permanent or long-term residency in Bulgaria is reduced. Instead of the standard five-year residency requirement, being married to a Bulgarian citizen only necessitates a three-year period of permanent or long-term residency in Bulgaria. This modification acknowledges the significance of marital ties in the naturalization process.

Bulgarian Citizenship by Origin

Applicants of Bulgarian origin receive preferential treatment in the citizenship application process. Unlike other applicants, they are not required to establish permanent or long-term residency in Bulgaria.

Additionally, while fluency in the Bulgarian language can be beneficial, it is not a mandatory requirement for citizenship by origin.

Furthermore, origin applicants, including children of Bulgaria Golden Visa applicants, are exempt from:
✅ Providing proof of income from a Bulgarian source
✅ Renouncing their current citizenship

If you do not fit any of the above categories, you may consider to apply for the Bulgaria Golden visa.