Bulgarian Citizenship Applications and Passports
Not sure where to begin or just want further information? Have a read of the below to find out more!
Do you want to apply for a Bulgarian passport?
We can translate your documents for you. Read some of the information below prior to starting your Bulgarian citizenship journey.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A BULGARIAN PASSPORT – FIND OUT MORE!
Why apply for Bulgarian citizenship?
There are numerous benefits to applying for Bulgarian citizenship even if you already have an Australian or New Zealand passport. Whether it being pursuing a life as a digital nomad, retaining a close connection to the mother country, ensuring that your own children can one day apply for Bulgarian citizenship or the various visa free arrangements which Bulgaria has with many countries – the options are endless.
Heritage
Stay close to your roots by taking out Bulgarian citizenship and retaining a connection with the homeland. Only citizens can take out identity cards and other documents required for life in Bulgaria.
Migration
If you are wanting a change in pace in life or considering life as a digital nomad, a Bulgarian passport might be just the way to escape the rat race and live a simpler and more fulfilling life.
Travel
Did you know that Bulgaria has visa-free regime arrangements with many countries? This means that if travelling on a Bulgarian passport you won’t need to apply for a visa prior to travel.
Who can apply for Bulgarian citizenship?
There are various ways of applying for Bulgarian citizenship, even if you were born in Australia or New Zealand. We’ve provided summaries from the Bulgarian Embassy in Australia and the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice to assist you below.
BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT – BULGARIAN PARENTS
You may be eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship by descent if you meet the following criteria:
- You have at least one Bulgarian parent, regardless of where you were born
- You have Bulgarian grandparents or great-grandparents (up to third-degree relatives)
- You can prove Bulgarian ethnic origin through documentary evidence
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH
Persons born in Bulgarian territory automatically receive Bulgarian citizenship if at least one parent is a Bulgarian citizen.
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
BULGARIAN CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALISATION
Available to those who have legally resided in Bulgaria for at least 5 years, or 3 years if married to a Bulgarian citizen.
Read more below to find out what you need to do in order to apply!
Please note that we are not Migration Agents, nor giving any migration advice, and that we encourage you to contact your local Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate listed below for more information.
Which documents do I need to apply for Bulgarian citizenship by descent or through emigration?
Below is the list of documents which our clients are often asked for when applying for Bulgarian citizenship by descent. We encourage you to contact your local Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate for advice as requirements do sometimes change.
If your documents are in English, then they will all need to be translated by an official translator into Bulgarian. We can help translate your documents for you!
All official Australian or New Zealand documents must have an Apostille stamp on them. An Apostille stamp verifies that your document is an official document and the contents of the document are true – only the Australian or New Zealand government can provide this stamp.
All Apostille stamps should be obtained before you send us your documents for translating – as this must be translated into Bulgarian.
Australia: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting Notarial Services via this link and by booking an appointment or sending them your document in the post.
New Zealand: You can organise an Apostille stamp by contacting the New Zealand authorities via this link.
We can help translate all your Australia or New Zealand documents into Bulgarian for you!
Steps to Apply for Bulgarian Citizenship by Descent in Australia or New Zealand
If your parents are Bulgarian, then you may be eligible to apply for Bulgarian citizenship under Bulgarian Citizenship Act!
Step One: Obtain relevant documentation
You will need to gather all of the relevant documents below in order to support your citizenship application.
BIRTH CERTIFICATE WITH APOSTILLE STAMP – TRANSLATED
You will need an original Australian or New Zealand birth certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an official certified Bulgarian translator.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE WITH APOSTILLE STAMP – TRANSLATED
If applicable, you will need an original Australian or New Zealand marriage certificate with an apostille stamp affixed to the back of it. Both documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an official certified Bulgarian translator.
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK – TRANSLATED
You will need a Criminal Record Check, which is typically a National Police Certificate issued by the AFP (if from Australia, see link here) or a Criminal Record Check from the Ministry of Justice (if from New Zeland, see link here).
This will need to then have an Apostille stamp affixed to it and both the Police Check and Apostille translated into Bulgarian by an official certified Bulgarian translator.
This document must not be older than 6 months from the date of issue.
If you were not born in Australia or New Zealand, then you will also need a second Criminal Record Check from the country of your birth. This is also to be Apostilled and translated into Bulgarian by an official certified Bulgarian translator.
PROOF OF CURRENT CITIZENSHIP
You will need to present a valid Australia, New Zealand or other passport or Certificate of Citizenship to prove which country you are currently a citizen of.
All of the information on this document must match the names in the birth and marriage certificates as well as the police check.
PROOF OF BULGARIAN ANCESTRY
Documentation establishing your Bulgarian heritage, which may include:
- Birth or marriage certificates of your Bulgarian parents/grandparents
- Bulgarian identity documents of ancestors
- Church records
- Official Bulgarian archive records
PARENTS APPLYING WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18
If you are applying for Bulgarian citizenship for your children as well, then you will need to additionally provide the following documents for each child:
- An original birth certificate for the child. If born in Australia or New Zealand, this must then have an Apostille stamp affixed to it. Both the birth certificate and the Apostille stamp must be translated into Bulgarian.
- Proof of Citizenship of the child such as a passport.
- Application form – completed in Bulgarian and signed according to the child’s age:
– For children under 14, the parents or legal guardian submit the form
– For children aged 14 to 18, the child submits the form personally, with written consent and co-signature from both parents.
All of these documents must be in Bulgarian and we can translate them for you if needed.
We can help translate all your Australia or New Zealand documents into Bulgarian for you!
Step Two: Complete the Application Form
If you are applying for Bulgarian citizenship by descent, then you must fill out the following form: molba_pridobivane.doc
This forms must be filled out in the Bulgarian language. If you are unable to do so, then we can translate it for you and assist with completing the forms in Bulgarian.
Step Three: Make an appointment with the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate
Depending on where you live in Australia, you will need to make an appointment with the relevant Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate to both submit the forms and to pay for the citizenship fee application.
It is strongly advised that on the day of your appointment that you take all of your original and translated document (with extra copies) with you to the Embassy or Consulate.
Currently the waiting period to be awarded Bulgarian citizenship is 12-24 months, however this varies with each application and from person to person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although it may seem daunting at first, applying for Bulgarian citizenship is a fairly straightforward process for most. Here are some of the questions which we commonly get asked by our clients.
Do I need a lawyer or migration service?
No! Most our clients apply for citizenship on their own without engaging any lawyers or citizenship services. It is entirely possible, and cheaper, to follow the steps on the Bulgarian government website and apply on your own.
How do I get the required documents?
You can ask family in Bulgaria, or email/call civil registry offices in Bulgaria yourself and request that they provide official documents such as birth certificates from your ancestors.
Do I need paper or digital translations?
The Bulgarian Embassy seems to prefer printed and ‘wet stamped’ certified translations, so we always mail copies out to clients when we know that they are applying for Bulgarian citizenship.
Looking for a NAATI Certified Bulgarian translator?
Just send us a message!
Where is my closest Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate?
All of the information provided on our website is general in nature and we recommend contacting your nearest Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate below to find out more information on how to apply for Bulgarian citizenship.
Canberra
Embassy of Bulgaria
Serves as the Bulgarian Embassy for Australia and New Zealand
- Suite 201, Level 2, 26 Brisbane Avenue , Barton, ACT 2600
- Embassy.Canberra@mfa.bg
- +61 2 6286 9700
- www.mfa.bg/embassies/australia