I had an ancient physical copy of ME1 (which I played before Origin was a thing), and a free version of BtdS which did require a key (I kept the installer and key for many, many years). Despite multiple attempts to install last year after downloading ME1 through Origin (I didn't re-purchase it, it just recognised that it was a game I owned and so was available to download), I couldn't get the BtdS to install, so I gave up. I then discovered while playing the game that it was already included, along with Pinnacle Station (which, as far as I remember, I never had previously). I didn't try to load any old saves, though, so perhaps that is the source of your issue, @smintili ?
If you continue to have issues, you can contact EA about it here. If you choose the live chat option, you may have to wait a while, and the estimated wait time isn't always accurate.
Well, I contacted support, at first I was prompted to try the regular installer (although I'm almost certain the guy on the phone didn't understand that I already tried that and it was just the go-to solve attempt) and then he said he had forwarded my request to the technical support specialist. Whatever that means, he said I'd have to wait three days. And I certainly won't restart the playthrough I am currently at, mostly because it is part of a Let's Play series spanning all Mass Effects.
I have a feeling the technical support people are probably more up to date on current games than older ones such as the original Mass Effect, which may explain the 'go-to solve attempt' response you got (and often the 'specialists' aren't very helpful, and take quite a while to get back to you, just a heads up).
Perhaps one of the EA accounts on these forums could be more help (they're all called EA_<name>, so easy to spot, but I don't know which ones are active on this particular board), they're often knowledgeable about such things.
It would be a pity to miss the BDtS on your playthrough if you're doing the entire trilogy, since there are some consequences (depending on your choices) throughout the rest of the trilogy if you do play it.
Well if I could continue my save, then that would be okay, but it seems I would have to start all over again. It just says that my save contains BDtS content and that I cannot go on playing that save whilst BDtS is not installed...🤔
