A total of 16,268 people received Bulgarian citizenship in 2024, according to the report from the commission to Vice President Iliana Iotova. In 2023, the number of those who obtained a Bulgarian passport was 12,205.

11,778 people received citizenship on the basis of Bulgarian origin, having a Bulgarian citizen parent, or through general naturalization. 4,490 individuals were granted decrees restoring their citizenship. The commission examined 24 decrees for the release from Bulgarian citizenship of 240 individuals who had applied for passports from 17 other countries.

Vice President Iotova has revoked the naturalization of another 38 persons because of forged documents, lack of right to reside in the Schengen area and other violations. Unlike previous years, when most Bulgarian passports were issued to citizens of North Macedonia, in the past year, Ukraine is top of the list of countries in the number of new citizens (2,463), followed by Turkiye (2,163).

• The Bulgarian passport remains among the best for international travel