Divorce with a Bulgarian Citizen
When facing a divorce involving a Bulgarian citizen, understanding the local legal framework and practical aspects of family law in Bulgaria is essential.
Whether you are a foreign national married to a Bulgarian citizen or a Bulgarian living abroad, the process can be handled efficiently and cost-effectively compared to many Western European jurisdictions.
This article provides a detailed overview of how divorces with Bulgarian citizens are conducted, what costs are involved, and how professional legal support can help protect your interests.
1. Advantages of Filing for Divorce in Bulgaria
Lower Legal Costs
The cost of legal services in Bulgaria is significantly lower than in Western Europe.
Hiring a divorce lawyer in Bulgaria is often several times cheaper than in countries like Germany, the UK, or France.
Despite the lower cost, the legal quality and procedural standards remain aligned with EU regulations and international family law conventions.
Simplified Divorce Procedure
Bulgaria does not impose complicated preconditions for divorce such as mandatory separation periods or reconciliation timeframes that exist in some EU jurisdictions.
The Bulgarian Family Code allows both consensual and contentious divorce proceedings without requiring the couple to prove prolonged separation.
Judicial Neutrality and Fairness
For Bulgarian citizens, divorcing within their own jurisdiction offers the benefit of familiarity with the system and protection under domestic laws.
For foreign spouses, Bulgarian courts are bound by EU Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Brussels II-ter), ensuring equal treatment and recognition of judgments across EU member states.
2. Divorce with a Bulgarian Citizen – Jurisdiction and Legal Grounds
If one of the spouses is a Bulgarian citizen, Bulgarian courts have jurisdiction over the divorce under Article 7 of the Code of Private International Law (CPIL).
The key condition is that at least one of the spouses has habitual residence or citizenship in Bulgaria.
Grounds for Divorce
Divorces in Bulgaria can be initiated under two legal regimes:
Mutual Consent (Art. 50 Family Code) – both spouses agree that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. This is the fastest and least expensive form of divorce.
Contested Divorce (Art. 49 Family Code) – initiated by one spouse, usually citing fault, adultery, abuse, or irreconcilable differences. The court examines the reasons and evidences before issuing a decision.
If you are a foreign citizen married to a Bulgarian national, you can initiate divorce proceedings either in Bulgaria or in your own country, depending on the circumstances and habitual residence.
However, many foreigners choose Bulgaria due to the faster and more affordable process.
3. Required Documents and Procedural Steps
When filing for divorce in Bulgaria, the following documents are typically required:
Marriage certificate (officially translated and legalized if issued abroad).
Birth certificates of children (if applicable).
Proof of Bulgarian residence or citizenship of at least one spouse.
Identity documents (passports or ID cards).
Property and financial records – in case of property division or alimony claims.
All foreign-language documents must be translated into Bulgarian by a sworn translator and legalized under the Apostille Convention (Hague 1961).
Steps in the Process:
Consultation and preparation of documents.
Filing the divorce petition before the competent district court.
Court hearing – in consensual cases, usually one session; in contested cases, several.
Issuance of the court decision.
Registration of the divorce with the Civil Registry and, if necessary, notification of the foreign civil authorities.
4. Property Division and Business Ownership
If the spouses have jointly acquired property or own a business in Bulgaria, the court can determine the division of assets within the same proceedings or in a separate civil case.
Our Bulgarian divorce lawyers assist in:
Assessing the market value of real estate and movable property;
Managing ownership transfer and title registration;
Negotiating or litigating business share transfers if the couple jointly owns a company in Bulgaria.
Under Bulgarian law, property acquired during marriage is presumed to be joint marital property (Art. 21 Family Code) unless proven otherwise.
This means that real estate, vehicles, and company shares are usually subject to equal division unless a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement provides different terms.
5. Divorce and Parental Rights
If the couple has minor children, the court must decide:
Who will have custody;
Where the children will reside;
Visitation rights of the other parent;
Amount of child maintenance (alimony) to be paid.
Bulgaria follows the “best interests of the child” principle, as defined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989) and Art. 59 Family Code.
The court takes into account the emotional connection, parental capacity, financial situation, and the child’s own preferences if mature enough.
When one parent lives abroad, the court can regulate cross-border visitation, ensuring compliance with the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction (1980) and EU Regulation 2019/1111.
6. Legal Costs and Timeframe
Cost of Divorce with a Bulgarian Citizen
The overall cost depends on the type and complexity of the case.
Mutual Consent Divorce:
State court fee: approx. 25–50 EUR;
Attorney fee: from 400–800 EUR, depending on documentation and hearing attendance;
Sworn translator and notarization costs: approx. 50–150 EUR.
Contested Divorce:
State court fee: approx. 50–100 EUR;
Attorney fee: usually 800–2000 EUR, depending on the number of hearings, witnesses, and property or custody claims;
Possible expert and interpreter fees: 100–300 EUR.
The duration varies between 3 to 6 months for consensual divorces and 8 to 18 months for contested ones.
7. Recognition of Foreign Divorce Decrees in Bulgaria
If a divorce has already been finalized abroad, the Bulgarian spouse or foreign partner may need to register and recognize the foreign judgment in Bulgaria.
For divorces within the EU, mutual recognition applies automatically under Regulation (EU) 2019/1111.
For divorces from non-EU countries, a special recognition procedure before the Sofia City Court is required under Art. 118–122 of the Code of Private International Law.
Once recognized, the decision is entered into the Bulgarian Civil Registry, and any related property or parental orders can be enforced domestically.
8. Why Hire a Bulgarian Divorce Lawyer
Engaging a Bulgarian divorce lawyer ensures that your rights are protected and the process runs efficiently. The lawyer will:
Prepare and file all legal documents correctly;
Represent you before the court, even in your absence (with power of attorney);
Coordinate translation and legalization of foreign documents;
Manage property settlements, business share transfers, and alimony enforcement;
Provide bilingual (English–Bulgarian) communication and certified translations.
Professional legal representation is especially valuable for foreign nationals who cannot attend court hearings in person. Bulgarian law allows full representation through an authorized attorney.
Key Takeaways
Divorce in Bulgaria is faster and more affordable than in many EU states.
Both mutual consent and contested divorces are possible without separation periods.
Bulgarian courts apply EU and international family law standards, ensuring fair treatment for foreign spouses.
Property and custody disputes can be resolved within the same procedure.
Recognition of foreign judgments is straightforward within the EU.
Legal Process, Costs, and Key Considerations
At our Law Office we specialize in cross-border divorce cases, family law, and recognition of foreign judgments.
Our team provides:
Legal consultations in English, German, Russian, and Bulgarian;
Preparation and filing of divorce petitions;
Court representation and document translation;
Property settlement and child custody arrangements;
Recognition of foreign divorce decisions in Bulgaria.
We support clients throughout the entire process, ensuring their rights are protected under Bulgarian and EU law.
Contact our Law Office:
📍 Sofia, Bulgaria – Alexander Zhendov Street No. 6
📞 +359 2 858 10 25 | +359 897 90 43 91
📧 info@lawyer-bulgaria.bg
🌐https://lawyer-bulgaria.co.uk/divorce-with-bulgarian