---
title: "Can Bulgarian Emigrants Obtain Citizenship?"
url: https://yeniversiyon.pages.dev/en/can-bulgarian-emigrants-get-citizenship/
lang: en
published: 2019-12-19
updated: 2025-10-20
description: "Emigrants from Bulgaria can apply for Bulgarian citizenship. The citizenship status check, the documents required and the short and long procedures explained."
source: BulgaristanVatandas.com (https://bulgaristanvatandas.com)
---

# Can Bulgarian Emigrants Obtain Citizenship?
### Can Bulgarian Emigrants Obtain Citizenship?

Emigrants from Bulgaria can apply for citizenship. Turks made up a large part of the population living in Bulgaria. Having lived on Bulgarian soil for a long time during the Ottoman period, they were forced to emigrate after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, as a result of disputes between the newly established Bulgarian state and the Republic of Turkey and Bulgaria's policy of reducing its Turkish population. Turks holding Bulgarian citizenship thus came to the Republic of Turkey. Having explained why Bulgarian emigrants left, let us turn to the main question.

### Can Emigrants Obtain Bulgarian Citizenship?

Bulgarian emigrants, in other words people who lived in Bulgaria and then emigrated to Turkey, must first find out from the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice whether they are still citizens.

A number of documents must be prepared before a citizenship status check can be carried out.

<details><summary>These documents are:</summary><ul><li>Name equivalence certificate (certified by the governorship or district governorship)</li><li>Birth certificate</li><li>Nationality certificate</li><li>Emigrant certificate</li><li>Citizenship status information form</li><li>Copy of Turkish passport or identity card</li><li>2 passport-size photographs</li><li>Full civil registry record (certified by the governorship or district governorship)</li><li>Notarised power of attorney</li><li>Birth registration record (certified by the governorship or district governorship)</li><li>Criminal record certificate (certified by the governorship or district governorship)</li></ul></details>

Once all these documents are complete, you can have a citizenship status check carried out by the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice. After reviewing your file, the Ministry determines whether or not you are a Bulgarian citizen and replies accordingly.

Citizenship applications follow either a short or a long procedure.

<details><summary>The short procedure</summary><p>If the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice replies that you are a Bulgarian citizen, you can apply for Bulgarian documents under the short procedure.</p><p><strong>For the citizenship application</strong></p><ul><li>First, you must complete your civil registration and address registration at the civil registry office responsible for you in Bulgaria.</li><li>You then go to the local passport office, apply for your lichna karta (identity card) and passport, and pay the fees.</li><li>Shortly after your photograph and fingerprints are taken, your lichna karta and passport are issued to you.</li></ul></details><details><summary>The long procedure</summary><p>If the Ministry of Justice replies that you are not a citizen, you can apply for citizenship under the long procedure.</p><p>To apply, you must first obtain a D visa by applying to the Bulgarian consulates in Turkey.</p><p>For people whose ancestors were Bulgarian citizens to apply, their parents must apply first.</p></details>

At Bulgaristanvatandas, we provide guidance on Bulgarian citizenship and residence, giving you the most accurate information. With our support, you receive professional help throughout your [citizenship](/en/services/citizenship/) and residence application, and we help Bulgarian emigrants regain their citizenship as easily as possible.

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