Bulgaria and Russia have long-standing ties. Although interstate relations did not always develop successfully (in both world wars Bulgaria and Russia were in opposite camps), nothing could interfere with the friendship between the two peoples. For thousands of Bulgarians, Russia has become a second homeland. Today, the second and dual citizenship of Russia-Bulgaria is viewed in both states as a continuation of friendly ties, attracts with accessibility. This can explain the growing from year to year immigration from Russia to Bulgaria.
Dual citizenship: a modern perspective on the issue
No one will give an unequivocal answer to the question whether it is good to have two passports or bad. Any state is vitally interested in defenders, taxpayers, workers' hands. At the same time, there is a person's right to decide for himself how many states he should be a citizen of.
Each state has its own vision of this problem. Depending on the domestic legislation, in some cases dual citizenship is prohibited, or in order to acquire new citizenship, it is necessary to renounce the previous one (Japan, Austria, Estonia, Lithuania, China, India, Singapore).
In a number of other cases, when the state is interested in the influx of fresh forces - scientists, highly qualified specialists, businessmen, athletes) - and respects human rights, favorable conditions are created for people who want to obtain a second legal passport. These countries include Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand.
Bulgarian legislation
Bulgarian legislation allows its citizens to simultaneously be citizens of other states (Art. 3. Chapter 1 of the Bulgarian Law “On Citizenship”), but such persons will be considered from a legal point of view only as citizens of Bulgaria.
Speaking about what status a person with two passports will have, you should know that the double indigenous person of Bulgaria and another state will be recognized as such only if there is an appropriate agreement between the countries. If there is no such agreement, then it would be more correct to speak of a second citizenship.
Dual citizenship of Bulgaria for Russians will become available only with the conclusion of an appropriate agreement at the state level, while it does not exist.
The second citizenship results not only in the enjoyment of rights in both states, but also in the fulfillment of civic obligations in a double amount: to pay taxes to both treasuries, to serve in the army (of one of the states of citizenship) and others.
A Bulgarian passport allows you to live in the country, enjoy all the rights and freedoms of Bulgarian citizens (including the right to land ownership), diplomatic, legal and social protection, move freely around the country and the European Union, get a job, use a visa-free or simplified visa regime in Bulgaria with third countries and much more.
Obtaining a Bulgarian passport does not make it a condition to renounce previous citizenship, except in the case of acquiring an indigenous person through naturalization. One of the necessary conditions for obtaining citizenship in this way is the release from the previous legal status (clause 6, article 12 of the Bulgarian Law “On Citizenship”).
At the same time, the legislation of Bulgaria does not limit the number of foreign passports that a citizen can own. According to the Law, citizens of other countries can apply for a Bulgarian passport if:
- of Bulgarian origin. It is enough that the father or mother is a citizen of Bulgaria, or the existence of this origin has been established in court (Articles 8, 9);
- special services to the country (Art. 16);
- investing in the Bulgarian economy in the amount of 512 thousand euros (1 million leva) under the Bulgarian Investment Immigration Program. Funds should not be withdrawn from the territory of the country for 3 years. Initially, the investor receives permanent residence (within 6 months), after a year - the right to citizenship (registration - 6 months). After obtaining the passport, the funds must remain in Bulgaria for another two years. This option for the provision of the Bulgarian indigenate does not require either residence in the country or knowledge of the Bulgarian language;
- conclusion of a marriage union with a citizen / citizen of Bulgaria (must have lived together for at least three years).
Residents of the EU countries, Switzerland and Great Britain, who decided to acquire a Bulgarian passport, also retain their previous citizenship.
Interesting to know: Bulgaria is in no hurry to introduce the euro. The national currency of this Balkan country is called "lion". The lion is an ancient symbol of the Bulgarians. Under King Shishman (XIV century), this beast was already depicted on Aspri coins. For the first time, money lions appeared in 1881.Since then, they have been in circulation to this day, having survived both monarchies and authoritarian regimes.
Russian legislation on bipatrism and multiple citizenship
The Russian Federation recognizes a double indigenate only on the condition that an intergovernmental agreement is concluded between the Russian Federation and another state on this matter. Bipatrides are given the opportunity to enjoy all their rights and perform civic duties in the country of their permanent residence. In 1994-1996, two similar agreements were concluded in the Russian Federation - with Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. To date, only one of them is in force - with Tajikistan (Federal Law No. 152-FZ of December 15, 1996 "On the ratification of the agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on the settlement of issues of dual citizenship"). Turkmenistan unilaterally broke the agreement in 2003, and from 18.05. By 2021, it ceased to operate.
Any other citizenship of a resident of the Russian Federation, other than Russian and Tajik, including Bulgarian, is not dual from a legal point of view, it can be defined as “second” or “multiple”. The Russian is obliged to declare about the second indigenate to the migration authorities, while he continues to be considered as a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Change of Russian citizenship to Bulgarian
If a Russian citizen has firmly decided to link his fate with the Balkans and acquire the full rights of a Bulgarian citizen, he has the right to follow the path of naturalization and renounce his Russian citizenship. Art. 20 of the Law of the Russian Federation No. 62-FZ of May 31, 2002 "On Citizenship of the Russian Federation" establishes three conditions for satisfying an application:
- absence of unfulfilled obligations to the Russian Federation (service in the Armed Forces, payment of taxes and others);
- the applicant is not under investigation or is not serving a sentence;
- availability / guarantee of obtaining a second citizenship.
The further algorithm of actions to withdraw from the Russian indigent is spelled out in Art. 19 of the law of the Russian Federation No. 62-FZ and paragraph 24 of the Regulation on the procedure for considering issues of citizenship of the Russian Federation (decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 1325 of November 14, 2002). Read more about the procedure for renouncing Russian citizenship in the article "Renunciation of Russian citizenship".
All the nuances of acquiring a Bulgarian passport are spelled out in the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship (Chapter 2). You should choose the best path, prepare a package of documents and go through the established procedure.
Summing up
Acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship is becoming more and more popular among citizens of the Russian Federation. Dual citizenship in Bulgaria and Russia, more precisely, its absence puts those who want to have a Bulgarian passport before a choice: to obtain a second citizenship with all the ensuing rights and some restrictions in rights, or to refuse Russian. When making a final decision in 2021, it is necessary to carefully calculate all the nuances of a personal nature, professional and career self-realization: what a citizen and his family can gain and what to lose when obtaining a second passport.
