🏆 Citizenship exam relevance
The Bulgarian citizenship exam tests knowledge of the citizenship and residency process directly. Candidates are expected to understand the difference between temporary and permanent residence, the role of key government institutions, and basic legal vocabulary. Today's content is directly exam-relevant.
Section 1
Immigration vocabulary
The words you need at every stage.
| Bulgarian | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| гражданство | grazhdanstvo | citizenship |
| натурализация | naturalizatsiya | naturalisation |
| постоянно пребиваване | postoyano prebivavane | permanent residence |
| временно пребиваване | vremenno prebivavane | temporary residence |
| разрешение за пребиваване | razreshenie za prebivavane | residence permit |
| виза | viza | visa |
| паспорт | pasport | passport |
| лична карта | lichna karta | identity card |
| чужденец / чужденка | chuzhdenets / chuzhdenka | foreigner (M/F) |
| гражданин / гражданка | grazhdanin / grazhdanka | citizen (M/F) |
| заявление | zayavlenie | application / declaration |
| молба | molba | petition / formal request |
| нотариална заверка | notarialna zaverka | notarisation |
| апостил | apostil | apostille (document legalisation) |
| превод | prevod | translation |
| заклет преводач | zaklet prevоdach | sworn / certified translator |
| регистрация | registratsiya | registration |
| адресна регистрация | adresna registratsiya | address registration |
Section 2
Key Bulgarian government institutions
Where to go and what each does.
| Institution | Bulgarian | What it handles |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Interior | Министерство на вътрешните работи (МВР) | Passports, ID cards, driving licences, residence permits, police. The main immigration authority. |
| Migration Directorate | Дирекция "Миграция" | Within МВР — processes residence permits and long-stay visas. |
| Ministry of Justice | Министерство на правосъдието | Citizenship applications, naturalisation, Bulgarian citizenship act. |
| State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad | Държавна агенция за българите в чужбина | Organises the citizenship language/integration exam. |
| National Revenue Agency | Национална агенция за приходите (НАП) | Tax registration, tax returns, fiscal obligations. |
| National Insurance Institute | Национален осигурителен институт (НОИ) | Social insurance, pensions, sick pay. |
| Civil Registration | Гражданска регистрация (ГРАО) | Birth, marriage and death certificates; address registration. |
| Notary | Нотариус | Document notarisation, property transactions, powers of attorney. |
💡 МВР — your first stop for residence
The Ministry of Interior (Министерство на вътрешните работи, MВР) handles all residence permit applications. The process typically involves: gathering required documents → booking an appointment at the local МВР office → submitting the application → waiting for approval (typically 14–30 days) → collecting the residence permit card. EU citizens have a simplified process; non-EU citizens face stricter requirements.
Section 3
The residency and citizenship pathway
Step by step from arrival to citizenship.
| Stage | Bulgarian | Requirement / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D-visa (long stay) | Виза тип D | Required for non-EU citizens before first long-term stay. Applied for at Bulgarian embassy abroad. |
| Temporary residence | Временно пребиваване | Usually granted for 1 year, renewable. Basis: work, study, family reunion, investment. |
| Permanent residence | Постоянно пребиваване | After 5 years continuous legal residence. EU citizens: 5 years. Non-EU: 5 years + conditions. |
| Citizenship by naturalisation | Натурализация | After 5 years permanent residence (or 3 years for spouse of Bulgarian citizen). Must pass language/integration exam. |
| Language exam | Изпит по български | Approximately A2 level. 20 MCQ. 60% pass mark. Organised by State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad. |
| Integration exam | Изпит за гражданска интеграция | Tests knowledge of Bulgarian history, culture, holidays and geography. Combined with language exam. |
Section 4
At the office — useful phrases
What to say when dealing with officials.
| Bulgarian | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| Имам записан час. | Imam zapisan chas. | I have an appointment. |
| Как да кандидатствам за...? | Kak da kandidatvam za...? | How do I apply for...? |
| Какви документи са необходими? | Kakvi dokumenti sa neobkhodimi? | What documents are required? |
| Трябва ли да ги нотариално заверя? | Tryabva li da gi notarialno zaverya? | Do I need to have them notarised? |
| Кога ще бъда уведомен/а? | Koga shte bada uvedomen/a? | When will I be notified? |
| Какъв е срокът за разглеждане? | Kakav e srokat za razgezhdane? | What is the processing time? |
| Таксата платима ли е тук? | Taksata platima li e tuk? | Is the fee payable here? |
| Мога ли да получа разписка? | Moga li da poluchа razpiska? | Can I get a receipt? |
| Заявлението ми е подадено. | Zayavlenieto mi e podadeno. | My application has been submitted. |
| Документите ми са в ред. | Dokumentite mi sa v red. | My documents are in order. |
Section 5
Document checklist — typical residence permit application
What you will typically need.
| Document | Bulgarian | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Валиден паспорт | Copy + original. Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond requested permit. |
| Application form | Заявление по образец | Official form from МВР website. Fill in Bulgarian. |
| Proof of address | Документ за адресна регистрация | Contract of rent or property deed + utility bill. |
| Proof of income/means | Доказателство за доход | Employment contract, bank statements, or proof of pension/scholarship. |
| Health insurance | Здравна застраховка | Must cover Bulgaria for full duration of stay. |
| Criminal record certificate | Свидетелство за съдимост | From your home country. Must be apostilled and translated by sworn translator. |
| Photographs | Снимки | Standard ID-size, recent, white background. |
| Fee receipt | Квитанция за платена такса | Fee paid at the post office or МВР cashier. |
Section 6
Dialogue — applying for residence
A realistic immigration office conversation.
— Добър ден. Имам записан час за подаване на заявление за постоянно пребиваване.
— Добре. Документите Ви, моля.
— Ето — паспортът, заявлението, договорът за наем и доказателство за доход.
— Свидетелство за съдимост имате ли?
— Да, ето го. Нотариално заверено е и преведено от заклет преводач.
— Здравна застраховка?
— Тук е — покрива цялата година.
— Добре. Снимките?
— Ето две снимки.
— Всичко изглежда наред. Ще ви уведомим в срок до тридесет дни.
— Може ли да получа разписка за подаденото заявление?
— Разбира се. Ето входящият Ви номер — запазете го.
— Dobar den. Imam zapisan chas za podavane na zayavlenie za postoyano prebivavane.
— Dobre. Dokumentite Vi, molya.
— Eto — pasportat, zayavlenieto, dogovorat za naem i dokazatelstvo za dokhod.
— Svidetelstvo za sadimostimate li?
— Da, eto go. Notarialno zavereno e i prevedeno ot zaklet prevоdach.
— Zdravna zastrakhovka?
— Tuk e — pokriva tsyalata godina.
— Dobre. Snimkite?
— Eto dve snimki.
— Vsichko izglezhda nared. Shte vi uvedomim v srok do tridesет dni.
— Mozhe li da poluchа razpiska za podadenoto zayavlenie?
— Razbirase. Eto vhodyashtiya Vi nomer — zapazete go.
— Good afternoon. I have an appointment to submit an application for permanent residence.
— Good. Your documents, please.
— Here — the passport, the application form, the rental contract and proof of income.
— Do you have a criminal record certificate?
— Yes, here it is. It is notarised and translated by a sworn translator.
— Health insurance?
— Here it is — it covers the whole year.
— Good. The photographs?
— Here are two photographs.
— Everything looks in order. We will notify you within thirty days.
— Can I get a receipt for the submitted application?
— Of course. Here is your reference number — keep it.
Section 7
Writing task
✏️ Writing task — Day 49
- Write a formal letter to МВР requesting information about the documents needed for a permanent residence application.
- What is the difference between временно пребиваване and постоянно пребиваване? How long must you wait for each?
- Name three Bulgarian government institutions and what each is responsible for.
- Translate: "My application has been submitted. What is the processing time? I have an appointment tomorrow at ten o'clock."
Show answers
1. Free answer — use Уважаеми · Пиша Ви относно · Бих искал/а да получа информация · С уважение.
2. Временно = temporary, usually 1 year renewable. Постоянно = permanent, after 5 years continuous legal residence.
3. МВР (residence permits/passports) · Министерство на правосъдието (citizenship) · НАП (taxes).
4. Заявлението ми е подадено. Какъв е срокът за разглеждане? Имам записан час утре в десет часа.
Day 49 Quiz
8 questions · score 6+ to mark day complete
Question 1 of 8
"Permanent residence" in Bulgarian:
Question 2 of 8
Which ministry handles citizenship applications in Bulgaria?
Question 3 of 8
"Notarisation" in Bulgarian:
Question 4 of 8
"What documents are required?" in Bulgarian:
Question 5 of 8
After how many years of permanent residence can you apply for Bulgarian citizenship by naturalisation?
Question 6 of 8
"Sworn / certified translator" in Bulgarian:
Question 7 of 8
"My application has been submitted" in Bulgarian:
Question 8 of 8
"Reference number (incoming)" in Bulgarian:
Day 49 Recap
Review before Day 50. Every point builds on the last.
| Topic | Key point | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Key terms | гражданство · натурализация · постоянно/временно пребиваване · разрешение за пребиваване | |
| Institutions | МВР (residence) · Министерство на правосъдието (citizenship) · НАП (tax) · Нотариус (notarisation) | |
| Pathway | D-visa → временно пребиваване (1yr) → постоянно (5yr) → натурализация (5yr permanent) | Shortened to 3yr for spouse of Bulgarian |
| Exam | 20 MCQ · A2 level · 60% pass · language + culture/history | Days 1–35 prepare you for this |
| At the office | Имам записан час · Какви документи? · Нотариална заверка · Кога ще ме уведомите? | |
| Documents | паспорт · заявление · свидетелство за съдимост · здравна застраховка · апостил |