When a person is already a Bulgarian citizen by birth through a parent, but this fact has never been formally documented, a simplified procedure for establishing citizenship may be used. It is shorter and more focused than naturalisation.
The difference from naturalisation
In naturalisation the applicant acquires a new citizenship — Bulgarian. In the establishment procedure under Art. 39 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act, the person already holds Bulgarian citizenship by origin; the procedure merely confirms that fact. For this reason the legal requirements are narrower, and the review focuses on the direct blood link with the parent who was born as a Bulgarian citizen.
Who can use the procedure
The procedure applies in cases where:
- one parent was born as a Bulgarian citizen;
- but the fact has not been formally recorded in the relevant Bulgarian registers with respect to the applicant.
The establishment can also be carried out posthumously — where the link is proven through an heir.
The procedure
The application is filed in Bulgaria — through the municipality of the applicant's permanent address — or abroad through a Bulgarian embassy or consulate. The Ministry of Justice reviews the historical civil registers to establish whether the parent was born as a Bulgarian citizen. If confirmed, a certificate is issued stating that the applicant is a Bulgarian citizen by origin.
What follows after the certificate
The certificate is the legal basis for obtaining a Bulgarian identity document and registration in the national population register. In practical terms this opens all the rights that Bulgarian citizenship provides — residence, work, free movement within the EU, and others.
Points to keep in mind
The procedure requires careful tracing of the parent's civil status — often through documents from different archives and periods. Where records are missing or incomplete, additional work may be needed to reconstruct the family link.
How we can help
We review the available documents, trace the missing links and prepare the application so as to minimise delays. Contact us for an assessment of whether this path fits your case.
Note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Legislation changes over time — for current, binding guidance on your case, please contact us.