Bulgarian citizenship: a free written test in Sofia, 20 questions in an hour, 12 to pass
Article 12 of the Bulgarian Citizenship Act asks that an applicant for naturalisation knows Bulgarian (владее български език), and leaves the method to an ordinance of the education minister. Ordinance No 5 of 3 September 1999 sets it: Bulgarian that allows normal communication at an elementary level. No CEFR letter is named.
In practice it is one written test, held every month in Sofia, and free. Everything below was read on 20 October 2026 on the exam page of the Institute of Education (io.mon.bg), which runs it, and in the sample tests published there. The statute is in our citizenship requirements table.
20 questions, one hour, 12 to pass
The test has 20 questions and lasts one hour. You pass with at least 12 correct answers. Each question has one right answer out of four (А, Б, В, Г).
The published sample tests open with a short newspaper-style text and a table, followed by comprehension questions, then fill-the-gap grammar: the right form of кой, коя, кое, кои, numerals with nouns (двама, две, два), short object pronouns. Three sample variants with answers are on the Institute's page.
Dates, documents, and the address
There is an exam every month, with dates published on io.mon.bg. On the page we read, the next sittings were 21 October 2026 (documents by 14 October) and 18 November 2026. Documents arriving after a deadline roll to the next date.
You file an application form, a copy of your ID signed "true to the original", and, if you have one, a notarised copy of a completed Bulgarian language course from an authorised institution. Filing in person, by Bulgarian Post or by courier only: email is not accepted. The exam is held at the National STEM Centre, 21A Dragan Tsankov Blvd, Sofia; arrive 30 minutes early with your ID. Applying and sitting the exam cost nothing.
Retakes, exemptions, and the rest of the file
A failed candidate may apply again no earlier than three months after the last attempt (Ordinance No 5, article 6(5)). Blind applicants, people with group I or II disability and people over 70 have an oral interview instead, and a diploma from a Bulgarian school or university replaces the exam.
The language is one condition among several in article 12: five years since the residence permit, no conviction for an intentional crime, an income or occupation, and release from your current citizenship, or release by the time Bulgarian citizenship is granted. People of Bulgarian origin naturalise under article 15 without the language condition.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Emailing the application to the Institute.
Filing it in person in Sofia, by Bulgarian Post or by courier.
The Institute of Education's page says documents sent by email are not accepted.
Preparing only to speak.
Practising reading short news texts and tables, and grammar gap-fills, under a one-hour clock.
The standard exam is a written multiple-choice test; the oral interview is only for the exempt groups.
Booking the next month again straight after a fail.
Planning the retake at least three months later.
Ordinance No 5, article 6(5), sets a three-month wait.
Questions
What level of Bulgarian do you need for citizenship?
Ordinance No 5 asks for Bulgarian allowing normal communication at an elementary level. No CEFR letter is named in the law or the ordinance.
What is the pass mark for the Bulgarian citizenship exam?
12 correct answers out of 20, in a written test lasting one hour, run by the Institute of Education in Sofia.
How much does the Bulgarian citizenship language exam cost?
Nothing. The Institute of Education says filing documents and sitting the exam are free for all candidates.
How often is the Bulgarian citizenship exam held?
Every month, in Sofia, on dates published on io.mon.bg. After a fail you can apply again after three months.
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