The five most widespread myths about the Bulgarian citizenship for special merits
Getting EU citizenship has become really difficult, especially after the ECJ officially put an end to the EU Golden Passport programs. Since the abolition of the EU investment citizenship, many influential foreigners, being desperate for an EU passport, have decided to hunt for another fast-track citizenship option. And naturally they discovered the Bulgarian citizenship for special merits route. With the hype for the fastest citizenship option, many myths were created. Today we will list the 5 most important ones.
Myth #1Citizenship for special merits is for everybody
This is the most widespread myth. Many foreigners believe Bulgarian citizenship for special merits is granted to anyone needing a fast EU passport. Nothing could be further from the truth. Legally, special merits citizenship can be granted to anyone. However, it is intended only for a very limited category of foreigners who can be of benefit the Bulgarian state.
We are often contacted by people who have written a book or are well known internet influencers for example. Others have a mid-scale businesses and they all believe that Bulgaria will grant them citizenship for special merits. No guys, this is not how it works. Bulgarian citizenship for special merits is only for a selected category of people. These may be indeed influential businessmen, but they need be more than that. They can be influencers or book authors of course, but they need to possess the potential to be of benefit of the Bulgarian state.
In other words, if you are running a successful car repair business or have an internet shop, don’t expect to become eligible for Bulgarian special merits citizenship. You may, eventually, but this will be not because of your business activities.
With all that being said, we accept to assist people to obtain Bulgarian special merits citizenship only by invitation and if they are VD&A Gold Club members.
Myth #2
Money can buy me special merits citizenship
No, no, no! Money won’t “buy” you Bulgarian citizenship for special merits. Money could buy you Bulgarian Golden Passport in the past, but these times are over. The European Court of Justice has confirmed the position of the EU Commission that:
EU citizenship is not for sale!
To qualify for a special merits citizenship you need to be much more than a UHNW (Ultra-High-Net-Worth) individual. You may be a Chinese tycoon, owning 100 ships or a Russian oligarch with factories in Russia. This won’t help much. In fact this won’t help at all. Citizenship for special merits is not about the money. Actually citizenship for merits needs to be positioned as far as possible from the old investment citizenship program. Any resemblance to investment program would scare off the Bulgarian authorities, which will minimise your chances.
Myth #3
Bulgaria is in dire need of new and valuable citizens, so I will be invited anyways
No, Bulgaria is not hunting for new citizens. Or maybe it should, but the authorities don’t think so. The politicians in Bulgaria believes that the country grants way too many people Bulgarian citizenship already. And while we don’t share this opinion, getting Bulgarian citizenship is becoming more difficult by the day. So don’t expect to be invited for special merits citizenship, without making an effort to become “seen” and “appreciated”. And this effort should be done with careful planning. Shouting “I am famous and can be of benefit to Bulgaria” won’t deliver good results. Keep that in mind.
Myth #4
I know some Bulgarian politicians and they will help me get citizenship
We are not in the 90’s. Things don’t work like that anymore. Nobody in the political establishment in Bulgaria will risk his name or even freedom1 to arrange for you a Bulgarian citizenship. You must build your reputation and prove that you are worth considering for fast-track citizenship. This is the only way forward.
1Former InvestBulgaria Agency Head Indicted over “Golden Passports” Scheme
Myth #5
I don’t need consultancy and legal support to get special merits citizenship
In an ideal scenario, you wouldn’t need consultancy or legal support. But then you’d have to be as famous as Einstein, or at least beat Djokovic at Wimbledon. In all other cases, don’t expect a red carpet at Sofia Airport with the President waiting to hand you your passport. In all other cases you will need to become “visible” for the Bulgarian authorities. Then you will need to become “desired” and then “eligible”. Only then you can pursue your dream of becoming Bulgarian and EU citizen.