Bulgarian citizenship for naturalised EU citizens
Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship is becoming increasingly difficult. Fewer legal pathways remain available each year. Administrative requirements are also becoming more complex. However, an interesting legal option may still be available to non-EU citizens who have recently acquired citizenship of an EU Member State through naturalisation.
Many consider obtaining Bulgarian citizenship as a second EU citizenship. They may want a second EU passport as a backup. Others wish to secure EU citizenship for their children, especially when their children cannot acquire citizenship through their parent’s naturalisation in another EU country.
Naturalised citizens of Malta, Cyprus and Portugal
This is particularly common among people born outside the EU who have recently acquired citizenship in Malta, Cyprus, or Portugal. For them, Bulgarian citizenship can offer an additional layer of security. Especially if their first EU citizenship ever comes under scrutiny or faces the risk of revocation.
Bulgarian citizenship for the children
Another group interested in Bulgarian citizenship consists of naturalised EU citizens who wish to secure EU (Bulgarian) citizenship for their (non-minor) children. This may be an option when their children cannot obtain citizenship in the EU country where the parent was naturalised.
Available only to dual citizens of an EU and a non-EU country who hold Bulgarian permanent residence
But before celebrating, let’s clarify one important point:
This option is available only to dual citizens who hold both an EU passport and citizenship of a non-EU country, in addition to a Bulgarian permanent residence permit.
If you do not meet these requirements, the standard Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation procedure applies.
The naturalization procedure in place
In a nutshell, according to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union:
Every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union. Citizenship of the Union shall be additional to and not replace national citizenship.
Art. 20 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
This definition is incorporated into the Bulgarian Law on entry into, residence in and leaving the Republic of Bulgaria by citizens of the European Union and members of their families:
A citizen of the European Union is a person who is a citizen of a Member State of the European Union.
Art. 2 of the Bulgarian Law
While it may seem quite obvious, it is very important to establish that, under Bulgarian law, a non-EU citizen who has acquired EU citizenship (and has retained his non-EU citizenship) through naturalisation (rather than by birth) is also considered an EU citizen. Fortunately, there can be no doubt about this.
The Bulgarian Citizenship Law
Here comes the good news. As per the Bulgarian citizenship law:
A person who is not a Bulgarian citizen may obtain Bulgarian citizenship if, on the date of submission of the application for naturalisation (the person) has obtained a permanent or prolonged-term residence permit in the Republic of Bulgaria not less than 5 years ago;
Art. 12, par.1, p. 2 of the Bulgarian citizenship law
But more importantly, the law stipulates, that:
No release from their previous citizenship shall be required for citizens of a Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or of the Swiss Confederation;
Art. 12, par. 2, p. 2 of the Bulgarian citizenship law
In other words, dual citizens who hold at least one EU citizenship are not required to renounce their other citizenship(s). Fortunately, the law is worded in precisely this way. Had it instead provided that “no renunciation of EU citizenship shall be required”, the legal position would be very different.
Take action now, before it’s too late
If you were born a non-EU citizen and have recently acquired citizenship of an EU Member State through naturalisation, you may also wish to consider obtaining Bulgarian citizenship. One possible route is available if you have held a permanent residence permit in Bulgaria for at least five years and meet the other legal requirements for naturalisation.
By acquiring Bulgarian citizenship, you would add a second EU citizenship to the one you already hold. More importantly, if you have adult children who are unable to acquire citizenship through your naturalisation in the other EU Member State, obtaining Bulgarian citizenship will offer them an alternative opportunity to become EU citizens through Bulgarian citizenship.