No, you do not renounce all your nationalities. On the standard naturalisation route, including after the Golden Visa, you give up only the citizenship you applied with, and only once your application has been approved. Spouses of Bulgarian citizens, citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, citizens of countries with a reciprocity treaty and applicants of Bulgarian origin do not renounce at all. Many countries also allow you to restore a citizenship you gave up.
Last Updated on October 23, 2026 by Immigration Team
At a glance
| Do you renounce all your citizenships? | No. Only the application citizenship, the one you used to apply for Bulgarian citizenship |
| Who does not renounce at all | Spouses of Bulgarian citizens, citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, citizens of countries with a reciprocity treaty, and applicants of Bulgarian origin |
| When you renounce | Only once your Bulgarian citizenship application has been approved |
| Can you get it back? | Many countries allow restoration of a citizenship you gave up |
| New passports afterwards | Bulgaria does not stop you collecting new citizenships once you are Bulgarian |
Do you have to renounce all your nationalities?
We receive this question all the time. The short answer: it is not true, and it is not scary.
First, you do not give up all your nationalities. You give up only the application citizenship, the citizenship you used to apply for Bulgarian citizenship. Your collection of other citizenships is not affected by Bulgarian law. Law
Second, there are exemptions. Many applicants do not have to renounce anything. Law
The question comes mainly from Bulgaria Golden Visa applicants, who are afraid of losing one asset while obtaining another. An EU passport is definitely an asset. So is the passport you already have.
Who does not need to renounce
| Your situation | Renounce the application citizenship? |
|---|---|
| Standard naturalisation, including after the Golden Visa | Yes (Art. 12(1), item 6) |
| Your spouse is a Bulgarian citizen | No (Art. 12(2), item 1) |
| You are a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland | No (Art. 12(2), item 2) |
| You are a citizen of a country with a reciprocity treaty with Bulgaria | No (Art. 12(2), item 3) |
| You apply on Bulgarian origin | No (Art. 15(1), item 1) |
| You were fully adopted by a Bulgarian citizen, or one of your parents is Bulgarian | No (Art. 15(1), items 2 and 3) |
| Citizenship by merit | No (Art. 16) |
Is it really a problem to renounce the application citizenship?
Usually not, if you plan ahead. Once you obtain permanent residence in Bulgaria, you can change the citizenship behind it. Practice
For example, you obtain permanent residence as a citizen of Russia or the People’s Republic of China. For your own reasons, you do not want to renounce your home country nationality. You also hold a Vanuatu passport. You change your permanent residence status from China to Vanuatu, and apply for Bulgarian citizenship with the Vanuatu passport. In this case, the only passport you give up is the Vanuatu one.
Check your home country’s own rules as well. Some countries withdraw their citizenship automatically when you take another one, whatever Bulgaria requires. Bulgarian law counts that automatic loss as release too. Law
You renounce only once your application is approved
The requirement arises only once your Bulgarian citizenship application has been approved. You apply, the Citizenship Council reviews your case, and only after a positive decision are you asked to prove that you have given up the application citizenship. The presidential decree follows.
So most applicants should not worry about renouncing at all, only those who reach this milestone. Nobody asks you to give up a passport on the strength of an application that may still be refused.
Once renounced, you can apply for restoration
The reality is that a citizenship initially lost can often be restored. Many countries allow former citizens to apply for restoration of their original nationality. This is not universal, so check your country’s rules before you decide which passport to apply with. Practice
Future passports
Approval of Bulgarian citizenship requires that you renounce the application citizenship. It does not prevent you from collecting new passports afterwards. Bulgaria allows dual citizenship. Law Read: Dual citizenship in Bulgaria
Questions
I hold three passports. Do I lose all of them?
No. You give up only the one you used to apply for Bulgarian citizenship, and only if no exemption applies to you.
I am a Golden Visa investor. Do I have to renounce?
Golden Visa investors apply through standard naturalisation, so the application citizenship must be given up, unless an exemption applies, for example a Bulgarian spouse or Bulgarian origin. You can plan around it by holding your permanent residence on the passport you are prepared to give up.
Do I renounce when I submit the application?
No. Renunciation comes only after your application has been approved.
Can I get my old citizenship back later?
Often, yes. Many countries allow restoration. It depends on your country’s law.
Which passport should you apply with?
Tell us which citizenships you hold and your family situation. We will tell you whether you need to give one up, and which one makes sense. Ask an advocate
Related routes
Legal basis
- LawBulgarian Citizenship ActArt. 12(1), item 6 and Art. 12(2)
- LawBulgarian Citizenship ActArt. 15 and 16 (routes without renunciation)
- LawBulgarian Citizenship Act§ 2, item 3 of the Additional Provisions (what counts as release)
Sources
This page gives general information and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change and individual circumstances matter. Reading it does not create a lawyer–client relationship.