Source explained
Bulgarian Citizenship Act
The useful meaning comes first. The Bulgarian or official original remains one click away for verification.
- Published by
- Министерство на правосъдието
Why it matters
What this source helps explain
A Bulgarian-citizen parent
Official term: български гражданин по произходThe Act treats this as citizenship by descent, distinct from later naturalisation for Bulgarian origin.
General naturalisation
Official term: обща натурализацияThe standard route combines residence, criminal-record, support, language and route-specific nationality conditions.
Facilitated naturalisation
Official term: облекчен редMarriage, statelessness, Bulgarian origin, adoption or a Bulgarian parent can alter requirements, but none is an automatic grant.
Person of Bulgarian origin
Official term: лице от български произходA statutory relationship proved under the Act—not a country, region, surname or self-description by itself.
Application and interview
Official term: подаване и интервюThe application is personal and may be filed at the Ministry or through a Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission.
Mandatory written opinions
Official term: писмени становища на МВР и ДАНСThe Citizenship Council gives its opinion after written positions from МВР and ДАНС.
The statutory clock is not a passport date
Official term: срок за предложениеArticle 35 concerns the ministerial proposal stage; checks may suspend it, and citizenship arises through the decree under Article 36.
Presidential decree
Official term: указ на ПрезидентаNaturalisation takes effect through the decree, from the date it is issued—not from a portal status.
19More notes supported by this source
Birth in Bulgaria
Official term: по месторождениеBirthplace creates citizenship only when the child receives no other citizenship by descent; it is not universal jus soli.
State interest or special merit
Official term: интерес или особени заслугиAn exceptional, institution-led route based on a stated Bulgarian interest or concrete contribution.
Restoration
Official term: възстановяванеA separate route for former Bulgarian citizens, with conditions that depend on the prior loss and the applicant's status.
Citizenship Council
Official term: Съвет по гражданствотоThe Justice Ministry body that considers files and gives an opinion to the minister.
Ministerial proposal
Official term: предложение на министъра на правосъдиетоThe Justice Minister proposes that the President issue or refuse a decree, based on the Council's opinion.
A region is not legal proof
Official term: лице от български произходThe Act has no country or minority whitelist. Eligibility depends on the applicable route and evidence.
Marriage is not automatic citizenship
Official term: бракMarriage can affect a naturalisation route, but it does not change either spouse's citizenship by itself.
Dual citizenship is route-specific
Official term: двойно гражданствоBulgarian law has route-specific renunciation rules and treats a dual national as Bulgarian when applying Bulgarian law; the other state's law is separate.
Day 0: verify the decree and certificate
Official term: указ / удостоверениеNaturalization or restoration takes effect on the decree date. Check your official names and keep the authority’s collection instructions.
Application
Official term: молбаThe formal personal request that starts the relevant citizenship procedure.
Case file
Official term: препискаThe administrative file that gathers the application, documents, checks and decisions.
Incoming reference number
Official term: входящ номер (вх. №)The authority’s receipt reference. It identifies a submission; it does not predict approval or timing.
Interview
Official term: интервюA required personal procedural step for the application; attendance is not a promise of approval.
Mandatory inter-agency review
Official term: задължително съгласуванеThe legal review involving the Interior Ministry and State Agency for National Security before the Council stage.
Written opinion
Official term: писмено становищеAn agency’s formal assessment within coordination; it is not the presidential decree.
Additional documents
Official term: допълнителни документиMaterial requested to complete or verify the file. A request can pause the statutory proposal period.
Ministerial proposal
Official term: предложениеThe minister’s procedural submission to the President; it is a stage, not citizenship or a passport date.
Presidential decree
Official term: указThe presidential act that grants, restores, releases or deprives citizenship in the cases set by law.
Citizenship certificate
Official term: удостоверениеThe Justice Ministry document issued after the decree; collection follows the competent authority’s instructions.