Every week we are contacted by people who obtained Bulgarian citizenship through intermediary companies and later discovered that the documents submitted on their behalf were allegedly forged. The fictional story below is based on recurring factual patterns we encounter in our legal practice. It illustrates how Bulgarian citizenship obtained through falsified documents can lead to criminal investigations, citizenship revocation and serious immigration consequences.

A fictional case based on real events

Sergey was a successful Russian IT specialist. He earned a high salary and worked for international companies. Money was never a problem. Freedom was. Despite his success, travelling remained difficult. His Russian passport required visas for many destinations, including France, Germany and Spain. He wanted the freedom that comes with an EU passport.

The Romanian scam for Bulgarian citizenship by origin

Then he came across an advertisement from a Romanian company promising Bulgarian citizenship by origin. The process looked simple. The fee was affordable. The company assured him that everything was completely legal. They claimed they had found proof of his Bulgarian origin. According to the documents they presented, Sergey’s grandfather was Bulgarian by nationality. A birth certificate clearly stated his nationality as Bulgarian. Sergey had no reason to doubt them. He chose not to ask too many questions. Some time later, he proudly became the holder of a Bulgarian passport. His life changed overnight. He travelled freely across Europe, settled in another EU country and finally enjoyed the freedom he had always wanted.

The citizenship application of his mother

For years, everything seemed perfect. Nobody questioned his Bulgarian citizenship. Then Sergey decided to help his mother obtain Bulgarian citizenship on the same legal grounds. If he qualified through his grandfather, surely she qualified too.

Her application was submitted. Shortly afterwards, its status changed to “Procedure suspended for additional verification.” That was the moment everything started to unravel. The Bulgarian authorities began checking the family history more closely. The birth certificate that had once secured Sergey’s Bulgarian passport suddenly became the subject of forensic examination. Investigators suspected that the document had been forged and that the Bulgarian origin had been fabricated. What Sergey believed to be a legitimate legal service was now being treated as organised citizenship fraud.

The legal consequences

The consequences were devastating. Instead of welcoming his mother to Europe, Sergey found himself under criminal investigation together with her. His Bulgarian citizenship became subject to revocation. His mother faced the rejection of her application. Depending on the evidence collected by the prosecution, both could face criminal charges in Bulgaria carrying prison sentences of up to eight years for some offences. They also risked a long-term or even permanent ban from entering the European Union, depending on the outcome of the proceedings. What had started as a shortcut to an EU passport had become a legal nightmare.

More and more citizenship applications are being investigated

This is no longer a rare scenario. Since Bulgaria became a member of the Schengen Area, the Bulgarian authorities have dramatically increased investigations into Bulgarian citizenship by origin obtained through forged documents. Most cases involve fake birth certificates or fabricated evidence of Bulgarian ancestry originating from former Soviet Union countries.

Even applicants who successfully obtained Bulgarian citizenship many years ago are now finding their files reopened. In many cases, the investigation begins only after they apply for citizenship for a parent, spouse or child. The very documents that once secured a Bulgarian passport are now being used as evidence in criminal proceedings. For many families, the dream of obtaining Bulgarian citizenship has turned into the biggest mistake of their lives – when they have used the services of scammers.

Criminal investigations and citizenship revocation

The Bulgarian authorities have significantly increased their efforts to detect fraud in applications for Bulgarian citizenship by origin. What used to be an occasional problem has now become a major enforcement priority. More and more people are being investigated and criminally charged. Some, who have somehow managed to obtain Bulgarian citizenship in the past, when control was weak, are now facing a dire fate – criminal charges and citizenship revocation.

Bulgaria’s Schengen membership changed everything

Since Bulgaria joined the Schengen area, enforcement actions against fraudulent citizenship by origin applications have increased significantly. The Bulgarian authorities are clearly intensifying their efforts to combat EU citizenship fraud, reflecting their responsibilities as a Schengen Member State.

We are seeing a clear trend. Investigations involving fake birth certificates, forged civil status documents, and false claims of Bulgarian origin are increasing every year.

Even old “successful” citizenship applications are being reopened

The Bulgarian authorities are no longer examining only newly submitted applications. They are also reopening citizenship files that were approved many years ago. If there is evidence that false documents were used during the procedure, the case may be reviewed regardless of when the citizenship was granted¹. This trend has accelerated considerably in recent years.

¹ Bulgarian citizenship, obtained through naturalisation, can be only revoked within the first 10 years after the naturalisation took place. Criminal charges for submitting fake documents, most often per art. 308, 309 and 313 can be also pressed in the first 10 years after the crime was committed. For more information, please visit our article Loss of Bulgarian citizenship.

Many applicants believe that once Bulgarian citizenship has been granted, the case is permanently closed. This is no longer the reality.

Fake birth certificates remain the biggest problem

The overwhelming majority of investigations involve fake birth certificates or other falsified documents intended to prove Bulgarian origin.

In many cases, the documents were allegedly created by intermediary companies that promised to obtain Bulgarian citizenship regardless of whether the applicant had genuine Bulgarian ancestry. You can read more about one of the most widespread Bulgarian citizenship scams involving a Romanian company that targets Russian-speaking applicants with promises of Bulgarian citizenship by origin.

Most of these schemes involve applicants from countries of the former USSR. Organised networks have been offering fabricated Bulgarian roots for years, often using forged archival documents, falsified birth certificates and manipulated civil records.

Many applicants claim they were unaware that the documents submitted on their behalf were not genuine.

Family applications often expose earlier fraud

Many investigations begin in an unexpected way. A person successfully obtains Bulgarian citizenship and several years later submits applications for their parents, spouse, children or other relatives. During the examination of the new applications, the Bulgarian authorities review both the submitted documents, but also the documents of relatives that may have already obtained Bulgarian citizenship. This often leads to the discovery of forged documents that remained unnoticed during the initial procedure. As a result, an investigation may begin years after Bulgarian citizenship was granted.

Criminal proceedings may follow

The consequences are often much more serious than the refusal of an application. Where forged documents are suspected, Bulgarian prosecutors may open criminal proceedings.

Depending on the circumstances, the investigation may concern several criminal offences under Bulgarian law, including offences related to forged official documents, document fraud and other crimes connected with the submission or use of falsified evidence.

Each case is different. The legal qualification depends on the facts and the available evidence.

Bulgarian citizenship may be revoked

Obtaining Bulgarian citizenship does not guarantee that it will remain valid forever. If the authorities conclude that citizenship was obtained through falsified documents or false information, revocation proceedings may be initiated. This applies not only to recent applicants. It also applies to individuals who obtained Bulgarian citizenship many years ago. The revocation procedure is separate from any criminal investigation. However, the two proceedings often develop in parallel.

Revocation of Bulgarian citizenship and subsequent criminal convictions may also lead to long-term or permanent restrictions on entering the European Union, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Not every applicant is a participant in the fraud

Many individuals relied entirely on intermediary companies. They were assured that the documents were genuine and that the procedure was completely legal. Only later did they discover that forged documents had allegedly been submitted in their name.

Whether an applicant knew about the fraud is an important legal question. It must be assessed individually in every case.

Early legal advice is essential

If you believe that forged documents may have been used in your Bulgarian citizenship procedure, you should seek legal advice without delay.

The legal strategy depends on many factors, including:

the documents submitted;
when Bulgarian citizenship was granted;
whether criminal proceedings have already started;
whether the authorities have contacted you;
your knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the application.

Every case is different. An individual legal assessment is essential before any communication with the Bulgarian authorities.

If you are already under investigation

If the Bulgarian authorities have contacted you regarding your citizenship application, do not ignore the matter. Do not assume that the problem will disappear. Do not communicate with the authorities before obtaining legal advice.

Every statement you make and every document you submit may later become evidence in criminal or revocation proceedings. Early legal intervention often makes a significant difference.