Can I Get Bulgarian Citizenship Through My Grandparents?

If your grandfather or grandmother was a Bulgarian citizen or of Bulgarian origin, you can apply for Bulgarian citizenship as a grandchild. On the origin route there is no Bulgarian language requirement and no residence requirement. What matters is proving the family line with documents. The application goes to the Ministry of Justice and takes 1.5-3 years.

In many families, grandparents emigrated from Bulgaria. Their grandchildren now ask: “Does this right pass to me?” This article explains how citizenship through a grandparent works, which documents are needed and what the first step is.

Can I get Bulgarian citizenship through a grandfather?

Yes, it is possible. But the right through a grandparent is not direct or automatic. You must document that you descend from a Bulgarian line. For this, a “certificate of Bulgarian origin” is used.

Two situations are common:

• The middle generation was a citizen: If your mother or father is a Bulgarian citizen, you already have a right through them. In that case you follow the route in citizenship through a father or through a mother.
• The middle generation was not a citizen: If your parent was never registered as a Bulgarian citizen, the family line is built starting from the grandparent’s record.

What is a certificate of Bulgarian origin?

A certificate of Bulgarian origin is an official document showing your Bulgarian origin. Since 2025 it is issued by the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad (ИАБЧ), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can apply in person in Sofia, by post or through the e-government portal. The decision takes 14 days.

You can read the full process in what is a certificate of Bulgarian origin and how to get it.

This certificate is not citizenship itself. It is an annex to the citizenship application. The citizenship decision is made separately by the Ministry of Justice.

Building the family line

Each link from grandparent to grandchild must be documented. An example chain:

Link	Document to show
Grandfather or grandmother	Bulgarian record, birth or citizenship information
Mother or father	Civil registry extract showing the tie to the grandparent
You	Your civil registry extract showing the tie to your parent

In every link, the first name, surname and birth date must be the same. If names were changed later in your home country, this looks like a break between records.

What if names differ?

During emigration, many people’s names were changed. A Bulgarian record may say “Ahmed” while the other record says “Ahmet”. A name equivalence certificate officially shows that two spellings belong to the same person. A missing or wrong certificate delays the file.

Required documents

1. Civil registry extracts for you, your parent and your grandparent.
2. Birth and marriage records showing the family tie.
3. A name equivalence certificate if names differ.
4. Apostille and official Bulgarian translation. See the civil registry extract and apostille guide.
5. The certificate of Bulgarian origin.
6. The application form and a copy of your ID.

Every file is different. Whether the grandparent is registered in Bulgaria, the middle generation’s status and which documents you hold change the list.

Step by step

1. Research the family line: Collect your grandparent’s name, place of birth and date of emigration.
2. Check the records: Search for the record in Bulgaria.
3. Collect documents: Civil registry extracts from your home country.
4. Get an equivalence certificate: If there is a name gap, close it.
5. Apostille and translation: Prepare all documents with official translation.
6. Get the origin certificate: Apply to the agency.
7. Submit the citizenship file: Through the Ministry of Justice or a consulate.
8. Follow up: The total time is 1.5-3 years; the file status can be checked.

Grandfather or parent: which route is easier?

In general, the shorter the line, the simpler the file. If your mother or father is a Bulgarian citizen, you do not need to go back to the grandparent. Still, in some families the middle generation’s record is lost. Then the grandparent’s record becomes the only solid link and the file is built from it.

Three things strengthen a grandchild’s file:

• Any document showing the grandparent’s Bulgarian record. An old ID, a military record or an emigration paper can also be a clue.
• All civil records showing the family ties.
• A short list showing which spelling of a name appears in which document.

Mistakes to avoid

• Searching only under the grandparent’s name instead of also under the parents’ names.
• Forgetting to add old and new name spellings to the file.
• Submitting documents without apostille or translation.
• Copying another family’s file. Every family is different.

If the grandparent has died or no record is found

A grandparent’s death does not block the right. If no record is found, an archive search is done. Village or town names in old records may have changed, so knowing the birthplace under both old and new names helps. We explain who can apply through which route in who can get Bulgarian citizenship.

Citizenship by investment was abolished in 2022. Do not trust anyone who offers it. And do not pay anyone for a “language exam” on the origin route; it does not exist.

Frequently asked questions

My grandfather was born in Bulgaria. Can I apply as a grandchild?

Yes, if you can document the family line. The strength of the file depends on the middle generation and on how consistent the documents are.

Do I need to speak Bulgarian?

No. On the Bulgarian origin route there is no language requirement. There is no requirement to live in Bulgaria either.

How long does it take?

A citizenship application takes 1.5-3 years in practice. The certificate of Bulgarian origin is decided in 14 days.

If my parent has died, do I lose the right?

Your right may continue. If the records can be documented, a parent’s death is not an obstacle.

Which side should I apply through, grandfather or grandmother?

The side with the clearer record and more consistent documents is chosen. Our consultant reviews both sides and recommends the strongest file.

Let us research your right together

We offer a free document review of your grandparent’s record and your documents. You can book an online appointment to ask questions. To see the whole process, visit our citizenship services page.