Bulgarian Citizenship Language Exam Explained by a Teacher

One of the prerequisites to applying for Bulgarian citizenship is passing an exam testing your command of Bulgarian. You can find a lot of conflicting information online about the exact level you need to pass the exam. That’s partly because official sources don’t mention any CEFR level or list of things you need to know, which means you have to rely on anecdotal evidence from different people’s experiences. So, in this article I’ll explain the exam format, which types of questions it includes and how you can prepare.

Want to check how you’d score if you took the Bulgarian citizenship exam today? Take this free practice test.

First, let me clear up a common point of confusion. There are two separate parts of the application process that require you to use your Bulgarian skills. The language exam is written, takes one hour and tests mainly your understanding of Bulgarian grammar and vocabulary. You can be exempt from this exam if you graduated from a Bulgarian school or university, or if you’re eligible to be granted citizenship by descent. The second part is a brief interview in Bulgarian where you’ll be asked questions about Bulgarian history, geography or culture. This one is mandatory for anyone applying for citizenship.

You may have heard different responses from people who took the exam or just looked at the sample tests. And their opinions depend largely on their Bulgarian language skills. You may be fluent in Bulgarian and use it every day for casual conversations, but if you’re not familiar with Bulgarian in formal contexts, if you never studied grammar properly or if you’re simply more used to listening than reading, you may find the test too difficult.

Another thing to take into account is that you need 12 correct answers out of 20to pass the exam. This means there’s room for mistakes, so you don’t need to know every single word or grammar feature on the test. In my opinion as a teacher, the exam is intended for B2 (upper-intermediate Bulgarian speakers), but you can pass with B1 (intermediate). A2-level grammar can be enough to reach the 12 correct answers, but only if your vocabulary is at an intermediate level. So, I’d say B1 is the more realistic minimum.

You can look at the official sample papers, or take this free practice test which also includes explanations of the correct answers.

The first part is a reading comprehension check where you have to read a text and answer five questions about it. The text is around 200 words long and is about a topic such as Bulgarian history, geography or culture. The questions typically aim to test your understanding of factual statements and your ability to interpret ideas in context. You may also be asked about the meaning of a specific word or expression used in the text.

The next section tests grammar and vocabulary in context. There are three questions in which you need to fill in the blank so the sentence makes sense. For example, you may need to choose the pronoun form, adjective form, question word or noun that fits the context.

The largest part of the exam checks your knowledge of Bulgarian words and phrases. You need to select the pairs of words with similar or opposite meanings (synonyms and antonyms), and there are three questions for each. Then, you need to identify the meaning of two colloquial phrases or fixed expressions. In the next three questions, you have to spot the word with the spelling mistake. All these question types require a very good grasp of vocabulary because most of the words involved aren’t ones you’d necessarily come across in informal conversations or on social media.

The final question is about punctuation. Typically, you need to find the sentence with a comma that’s missing or isn’t positioned correctly. Since many Bulgarians aren’t confident with punctuation rules (and I feel social media and texting are making matters even worse), this question may be confusing even for native speakers. Luckily for you, this is just one question out of 20. If you know your commas, though (and there aren’t that many rules), it’s a guaranteed point towards your score.

Overall, the language exam is focused on understanding and vocabulary rather than perfect grammar or spelling. So, here is my practical advice for preparing on your own:

No, it’s free of charge.

It’s held once a month. You can see the next available date and how to register on this website.

You can retake the test after at least three months.

You need to have held permanent residence in Bulgaria for at least five years. For people who are married to Bulgarian citizens or are refugees, this period is three years from the date they were granted their permanent residence or refugee status. You also need to prove that you have a clean criminal record, sufficient income to live in Bulgaria and a Bulgarian language certificate.

You need to renounce your current citizenship unless you’re married to a Bulgarian citizen or unless you’re a citizen of an EU or EEA country.

It can take around two or even three years from the time you submit your application with all the required documents until you’re granted citizenship. So, if your permanent residence card expires within the next two years, you have to renew it while you wait for a decision on your application.

Have you already taken the exam, or are you planning to? You can share your experience or ask any questions in the comments below.

If you need help preparing for the written language exam or the interview, contact me for a quick practice session!