Citizenship is a relationship, not just a document.

A Bulgarian citizen has the right to return to Bulgaria and is under Bulgarian protection while abroad.

Eligible adult citizens can vote in Bulgarian elections and referendums and send complaints, proposals or petitions to public bodies.

Citizenship opens access to elected and certain public offices, but age, residence, incompatibility and sole-citizenship rules differ by office.

The Constitution guarantees Bulgarian citizens equality before the law and legal protection when their rights or legitimate interests are violated.

For Bulgarian citizens, the Constitution protects liberty, private life, home and communications, conscience, speech, peaceful assembly and association, subject to lawful limits.

The Constitution gives Bulgarian citizens guarantees in these fields, but access, insurance, residence, qualification and funding rules still apply. Citizenship is not an automatic benefit entitlement.

Bulgarian nationality automatically adds EU citizenship, including movement, residence and EU civic rights under their legal conditions.

EU citizens generally work without a permit and receive equal treatment regardless of nationality at work and in university admission; qualifications and fees still have rules.

In another EU state where they reside, citizens may vote and stand in municipal and European Parliament elections, subject to that state’s registration and eligibility rules; they may also petition EU institutions.

The first three months normally require valid ID. Longer stays have conditions; permanent residence usually follows five years of continuous legal residence. Family rights are strongest when EU free movement is exercised.

A regulated profession may require recognition, registration or language evidence. Universities must not discriminate by nationality in admission, while grants and living support follow separate rules.

EHIC depends on being insured and covers necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay; it is not travel insurance. Benefits and tax follow work, residence and contribution rules.

Where Bulgaria is not represented outside the EU, another EU country must assist on the same conditions as its own nationals. EU citizens may petition Parliament and approach the European Ombudsman.

Foreigners lawfully in Bulgaria generally have the constitutional rights and obligations granted by the Constitution, except rights for which the Constitution or a law requires Bulgarian citizenship.