French and German citizens are massively hunting for Bulgarian citizenship in 2024
Previously it were mainly the Chinese, Russians and the people from the Middle East, who were interested about the possibility to obtain Bulgarian citizenship. From this year however, we see a skyrocketing interest from western European citizens to get Bulgarian passports. Many would argue that there is little point in getting second EU citizenship. And indeed, why would a German national want to have a Bulgarian citizenship if he holds German passport. The value of all EU passports, German and Bulgarian too, is of equal value. All EU citizens have unlimited living rights in all EU member states as well as a huge number of countries they can visit visa-free. So what may be the reason behind this new hype among the western Europeans to get Bulgarian citizenship? Well, below are the main driving forces that our EU clients are communicating.
Special merits citizenship
Bulgarian citizenship for special merits is among the favourite choices for affluent EU citizens. One of the reasons is that the authorities in Bulgaria are much more likely to support special merits citizenship application for an EU citizen.
High taxation in their home countries
Citizens from western European countries are suffering high taxation and heavy pressure for fiscal compliance. Many French and German affluent citizens are worried that their assets and earnings may be wiped out or slowly, but surely – erased. The great reset idea is also pouring fear in the western European citizens.
All this uncertainty leads many of the western European citizens to look for a safe haven. But where can they go? Going out of the EU will deprive them of basic freedoms, such as the right of free movement and settlement in Europe. So there is the obvious choice – Bulgaria. Bulgaria offers them the best of both worlds – full EU membership and somewhat decreased fiscal pressure. You can read more how you can optimise your taxes within the EU on the website of Euroformat.eu.
Modern European values, not to everyone’s taste
The neoliberal values, which we all saw at the Paris Olympic opening ceremony, may have scared some of the locals in France and neighbouring countries. After the show we all saw, it may be logical that some of them are trying to find a niche in a more traditional European ecosystem.
Bulgaria is still considered one of the EU countries with strong traditional Christian and family values. Although Bulgarian society is very tolerant towards all minorities, the most extreme form of gender ideology is still unknown. This turns out to be a very strong attraction for other EU citizens living in countries where traditional and new values clash the most.
Easier residence permit for non-EU spouses
Another driving factor for the hype for Bulgarian citizenship by other Europeans is the infamous EU directive 2004/38/EC. This directive resulted in an unacceptable discrimination within the EU. Because of it, non-EU spouses of EU citizens obtain much easier residence permit anywhere in the EU, except in the home country of their EU spouses. It sounds ridiculous, but unfortunately is true.
We have discussed this abnormality in the article Family member of EU citizen vs family member of Bulgarian citizen. In this article we explain how a non-EU spouse of EU citizen can easily get Bulgarian residence permit. Controversially, a non-EU spouse of Bulgarian citizen is facing much more difficulties to obtain it.
Non-EU spouses of Bulgarian citizens get easier residence permit in France than the spouses of the French citizens
But the coin has two sides. A non-EU spouse of a Bulgarian will get much easier residence permit anywhere in the EU than the spouse of the locals. So if a French citizen married to a non-EU national can’t get French residence permit in France for his spouse, then he can get Bulgarian citizenship in order for his non-EU spouse to obtain easily residence permit in France. The same is for Germans and all other EU citizens. Absolutely contra-intuitive and discriminating, but the law is the law.