Attention dual citizens: New procedures begin in Bulgaria — Deadline 31 December

Bulgaria has introduced a new requirement for dual citizens who live in Türkiye but receive their pension payments from Bulgarian banks: they must now submit a “proof of life” certificate once a year.

Following its accession to the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen Area alongside Romania on 12 December 2024. As part of its ongoing integration, the country is also preparing to adopt the euro as its official currency in 2026, replacing the lev.

In Edirne — the Turkish border city with the highest number of Bulgarian–Turkish dual citizens — local neighborhood offices began processing “proof of life” documents on 1 November for retirees receiving pensions from Bulgaria.

Deadline for dual citizens living in Turkey: 31 December

Cevat Güneş, President of the Thrace Balkan Turks Culture and Solidarity Association, explained that the requirement stems from EU regulations. He outlined the rules as follows:

“Citizens living in Türkiye who retired in Bulgaria and receive their pension via bank or postal service are required to submit a document proving they are alive, once per year.

This document must be completed and sent between 1 November and 31 December, by registered mail with return receipt.

Alternatively, individuals may visit the Bulgarian National Social Security Institute (NOI) office in the province where they are registered and submit it in person.”

Instructions for completing the form

Güneş emphasized key points retirees must follow when completing the document:

• The form must consist of one sheet printed on both sides.
• The front page must include the retiree’s personal information.
• The back page must contain the local mukhtar’s (neighborhood head’s) stamp, signature, and date.

On the front side, dual citizens must write:

• Their full name, father’s name, and grandfather’s name in Bulgarian and in uppercase letters
• Their EGN (Bulgarian personal number)
• Their date of birth

They must also write the current date on which the document is validated and provide their signature.

The completed and certified form must then be mailed or submitted in person as instructed.

Source: DHA