Indicator history

Under the Law for the Bulgarian Citizenship of 1999 (last amended SG No.33 30 April 2010) persons who are not Bulgarian citizens can acquire Bulgarian citizenship if by the date of filing the application for naturalization: have become of age; before no less than 5 years have been given permit for permanent stay in the Republic of Bulgaria;  have not been convicted for premeditated crime of general nature by a Bulgarian court and against them criminal prosecution has not been instituted for such crime, unless rehabilitated; have income or occupation which enables their support in Bulgaria; have proficiency in Bulgarian language which is ascertained according to an Ordinance by the Minister of Education, Youth and Science, and, who are released from their present citizenship or will be released from it by the moment of acquiring Bulgarian citizenship.

Persons who have obtained a refugee or humanitarian status, not later than three years by the date of filing the application for naturalisation can acquire Bulgarian citizenship if they meet the above requirements.

Besides, persons who are not Bulgarian citizens can acquire Bulgarian citizenship by naturalization if they are of Bulgarian origin, if they are adopted by a Bulgarian, if they have special contributions to the Republic of Bulgaria in the public and economic sphere, in the sphere of science, technology, culture and sport.