Nearly 1,700 citizens of North Macedonia obtained Bulgarian passports in 2024, continuing the long-standing trend of seeking better opportunities in European countries. This data comes from the annual report of the Bulgarian Citizenship Commission, published by Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), citing information from the office of Vice President Iliana Yotova.
According to the report, a total of 16,500 people were granted Bulgarian citizenship last year, an increase of 4,000 compared to 2023. Ukrainians topped the list with 2,400 people acquiring citizenship, followed by Turkish (2,200) and Moldovan (1,800) citizens. North Macedonia ranked fourth with nearly 1,700 new Bulgarian passport holders.
The report highlights that Bulgarian citizenship remains highly sought after by people from the region and beyond. In 2024, 227 decrees were issued for changes in citizenship, while over 11,700 individuals acquired Bulgarian nationality based on ancestry or general naturalization.
At the same time, nearly 4,500 people renounced their Bulgarian citizenship, and naturalization was revoked for 38 applicants due to irregularities, including fraudulent documents. Additionally, almost 6,000 citizenship applications were rejected.
This trend reflects a broader pattern of migration and identity-related policies in the Balkans, with economic and mobility factors playing a significant role in the decision to acquire alternative citizenship. /BV