Restoring your Bulgarian roots – from Turkish perspective
Turks of Bulgarian roots arrived in Turkey in great numbers during the 20th Century. During the times of the Communist regime in Bulgaria, there were many suppressive attacks against minorities and religious organizations. This drove people to flee their homeland while leaving everything behind.
People of different ethnic backgrounds fled to different places, such as Turkey and Israel. This situation made it so that cousins with the same blood and families with the same surnames were torn apart in a catastrophic way. Оnly recently have the consequences started to heal.
I myself am a person whose family left their homeland where they lived for 500 years. They left with only what they could carry on their mule, in the year 1950. But now there are tens of thousands of us, with a chance to return to our roots. To return to our grandfather’s villages and cities. Hence the reason why I wrote this article – to tell you why and how can this be achieved.
The mass exodus from Bulgaria to Turkey in the 1980’s
A lot has changed in Bulgaria since then
Luckily, Bulgaria has changed a lot since the times when my family was forced to leave. And this change offers now one of the greatest opportunities for my compatriots.
Why Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is an increasingly popular destination for people looking for a new life. A better life in a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage, stunning scenery and plenty of opportunities for both work and leisure. The cherry on top is Bulgarian citizenship, which can provide a range of benefits to those who hold it. Luckily, with the recent amendments to the Law on Bulgarian Citizenship, it is more than ever possible to apply and get approved for Bulgarian citizenship.
So, why Bulgaria? Here are some of the advantages of having Bulgarian citizenship:
Freedom of movement
Bulgarian citizenship provides full and unlimited access to all EU countries plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. This means you can travel and work freely to 30+ countries without needing a visa or work permit. Additionally, Bulgarian citizens can also travel visa-free to a huge number of other countries, such as Canada and Australia.
Business opportunities
Bulgaria has a favorable business climate, with a flat tax rate of 10% for individuals and corporations. This makes it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs and investors. The country’s skilled workforce and thriving tech sector make it a great place to start or expand a business.
Cost of living
Bulgaria is known for its low cost of living, which makes it an attractive destination for retirees, digital nomads, and those looking to stretch their budgets. Housing is affordable, and necessities such as food, utilities, and transportation are all reasonably priced.
Healthcare
Bulgaria has a well-established healthcare system, with both public and private options available. The country offers quality medical care at a fraction of the cost of other EU countries, making it a popular destination for medical tourism.
Education
Bulgaria has a robust education system, with several universities that offer programs in English. The cost of tuition is also relatively low compared to other EU countries, making it a great destination for international students.
Cultural heritage
Bulgaria has a rich history and cultural heritage, with stunning architecture, museums, and galleries. The country is also known for its festivals and traditions, such as the Rose Festival in Kazanlak and the Kukeri Festival in Pernik.
Quality of life
Bulgaria is a safe country with a high quality of life. The country has a low crime rate and is known for its friendly people and welcoming culture. The stunning scenery and outdoor activities, such as skiing and hiking, make it an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Way of Obtaining Citizenship
Many people of Turkish/Bulgarian descent are eligible to obtain Bulgarian citizenship by origin after recent legal amendments. These changes relieve the applicants from making any substantial financial investments to obtain citizenship.
How Bulgaria?
Many non-EU citizens are fed by the EU Bureaucracy. They know how hard they have to fight to even get a tourist Visa. Now just imagine that you and your whole (extended) family get an unlimited EU/Schengen Visa. A Visa that is valid forever. And it comes with the unlimited right to enjoy the full benefits of the EU social security system. The right to live and work anywhere in the EU and to vote in Bulgaria – your Bulgaria. How does that sound?
There is no need to fear this bureaucracy as it is impossible to avoid it! There is no way of “jumping the queue”. You can only be advised by the best advisors you can get and listen to them as best you can. This will inevitably save you time and money.
Horrible procedures to get Schengen/EU visa
The difference between map and territory becomes apparent the moment you go to the embassy to deliver your documents for the first time. Feeling the humiliation to try for the 5th time for that 1% chance of getting accepted this time. Being told that you pose “immigration risk”, because you couldn’t gather all of their documents properly the first time. Being fed up to be in the process of application for 10 years! Queues of 40 people with everyone talking, giving conflicting information that doesn’t make sense! None of this is sane or necessary, yet the information on the web in especially Turkish is so lacking that there is no way of knowing if any information you read is true or fake. This leads us to the real answer to the question of how to win against bureaucracy.
Beating the bureaucracy – the right way
Sadly, when the stakes are this high, nothing is easy and cheap. You can try shady businessmen that promise 100% acceptance guarantees (and even document forging) for cheap. That is if you are okay with failing and never having a chance to apply again. And of course, eventually serving a jail sentence, as forging documents or false declarations constitute crime.
Doing it yourself
But there are two rational ways to go about this too. First is to give hundreds of hours of your life to (vaguely) understand the Bulgarian legal system and its intricacies. Possibly, you will first need learning either English or preferably Bulgarian, to better understand the details and processes. This will get you halfway until you eventually get rejected in one of the many applications you need to make on the road to citizenship. At this point you will inevitably have to hire lawyers to appeal the decision, although your chances will be miniscule already.
Considering this, logical reasoning leads us to the last, easiest, and surest way to get Bulgarian citizenship.
Doing it through the best in the field of Bulgarian citizenship
You need people who know the law and how the application for Bulgarian citizenship works. And they have to be based in Bulgaria in order to communicate smoothly with the authorities. Obviously they will speak Bulgarian and should know the legal framework best of everyone. You need an experienced law agency that specializes in the citizenship field. In my humble opinion, you need Posolstvo!
Please read more of the articles here to understand the process better. And please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about how the citizenship application process works and how we can help you!
author: Deha Boran Bahcuvan