Personnel Security

Requirements for starting a personnel security clearance procedure for granting access to EU or/and NATO classified information to a Bulgarian citizen

A Bulgarian citizen can be granted access to EU or/and NATO classified information after:

  • a personnel security clearance procedure has been carried out for the citizen, for which he has given his prior consent;
  • has passed a training on protection of classified information and has signed acknowledgment that he is aware of his duties on protection of EU or/and NATO classified information:

    - acknowledgment for access to EU classified information;

    - acknowledgment for access to NATO classified information.

Each PSC application process for access to EU or/and NATO classified information begins only after an official request is received in the SCIS from a relevant European institution, NATO agency or a competent National Security Authority. This guarantees the authenticity of the request and is done for the purpose of conducting the PSC procedure only if there’s an actual need for it such as:

- The individual is assigned to fulfil a specific task or his official duties require such access;

- The individual is a contractor or a subcontractor of a classified contract.

The form of the request could be either a template, that is accepted by the relevant NSA/DSA, EU institution or NATO agency or according to an established practice and should contain:

  • information about the relevant task and/or position of the individual and the need for access to EU or/and NATO classified information and any other documents verifying the need for a PSC, such as contract or any other relevant official document;
  • required level of EU or/and NATO classified information;
  • the names of the applicant;
  • date and place of birth of the applicant;
  • any additional personal data regarded as important to identify the applicant.

Parallel with the request, a set of documents, filled out by the Bulgarian citizen who is to be cleared, should be also submitted to the SCIS. These are as follows:

  1. Filled in questionnaire - Appendix 2 to Art. 47 and Art. 48 of the Classified Information Protection Act (CIPA);
  2. Consent under Art. 43, Paragraph 2 of the CIPA for Bulgarian citizens, born until 16/07/1973, filled out by the person in two original copies;
  3. Consent in accordance with Art. 43, Paragraph 2 of the CIPA for Bulgarian citizens, born after 16/07/1973, filled out by the person in one original copy;
  4. A copy of diploma for completed education, signed by the person and certified that it is a true copy;
  5. Medical certificate issued by the legitimate psychiatrist after a conducted examination;
  6. Consent on the grounds of Art. 43, Paragraph 2 of the CIPA, in connection with the Article 62, Paragraph 9 of the Credit Institutions Act;
  7. Declaration under Art. 74, Paragraph 2, Section 1 of the Tax-insurance Procedure Code, filled out by the person in two original copies;
  8. Declaration for conducted initial training on protection of EU or/and NATO classified information.

The template forms are accessed, filled and signed only by the individual to be cleared and no other signs, stamps or marks are allowed. The documents can be submitted in original on paper or by email, signed electronically.

After receiving the official request and the required set of documents, the State Commission on Information Security as a National Security Authority of Republic of Bulgaria initiates the personnel security clearance procedure.