site.btaJustice Ministry Proposes Measures Relaxing Acquisition of Bulgarian Citizenship

Sofia, August 9 (BTA) - The Justice Ministry said on Wednesday that it is proposing measures that would relax the acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship and minimize the administrative burden by reducing the number of documents applicants are required to present.

Among the proposed changes are scrapping the requirement for citizenship applicants to present a declaration from the Interior Ministry about permanent or long-term residence permits, as well as a document proving the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions.

In case the applicant has changed their name due to marrying a Bulgarian citizen in Bulgaria, they would no longer be required to present a document certifying their name change.

New rules for accepting and registering applications are to be created, according to which applicants will be interviewed upon submission of their documents. This will address the gap between application submission and holding the interview, which currently stands at almost one year.

The ongoing procedures that are part of already submitted and registered applications, which include an interview date, are to be completed under the current rules.