Foreign-born population – 2025 | 3.7% of the population | Main countries of birth: Russia (15%), Ukraine (13%), Türkiye (9%) |
Size: 0.2 million, 48% women | Evolution since 2015: +99% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, 16 000 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Bulgaria (excluding EU citizens), 29.8% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 69.9% labour migrants, 13.6% family members (including accompanying family), 6.1% who came for education reasons and 10.5% other migrants. Around 1 500 short-term permits were issued to international students and 1 200 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 16 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, an 8% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Syria and Russia were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Syria registered the strongest increase (500) and Türkiye the largest decrease (‑2 600) in flows to Bulgaria compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑69%, to reach around 3 800. The majority of applicants came from Morocco (1 000), Afghanistan (900) and Syria (800). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Morocco (95) and the largest decrease nationals of Syria (‑6 800). Of the 4 660 decisions taken in 2025, 21% were positive.
Emigration of Bulgarian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑19% in 2024, to 65 000. Approximately 43% of this group migrated to Germany, 17% to the Netherlands and 10% to Spain.
In September 2025, the Council of Ministers adopted the National Strategy for Migration and Asylum Management 2025‑2030, which sets priorities for border management, asylum procedures, return policy, labour migration and integration, aligning national objectives with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. It emphasised security, procedural efficiency and labour market needs, while acknowledging weaknesses in integration capacity that require gradual strengthening.
Throughout 2025, Bulgaria intensified border management measures in the context of its full accession to the Schengen Area, which took effect on 1 January 2025 for land borders. During the first half of 2025, transitional arrangements remained in place at the borders with Austria and Hungary under bilateral agreements, while internal checks were gradually reduced.
Efforts continued to improve the efficiency of asylum procedures and reception conditions, while the competent authorities pursued measures in the field of return. Bulgaria continued its preparations for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, including measures aimed at strengthening the national asylum and reception system. Particular attention was given to improving reception capacity and conditions, enhancing support for vulnerable applicants and unaccompanied minors, strengthening the administrative capacity of the State Agency for Refugees, and further digitalising and modernising asylum procedures and reception infrastructure.
In October 2025, Bulgaria and Switzerland signed a framework agreement to support Bulgaria in strengthening its asylum procedure and structures and improving reception facilities for vulnerable migrants.
Labour migration remained a central policy concern as Bulgaria faced acute workforce shortages in construction, manufacturing agriculture and tourism. On 1 July 2025, amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act entered into force. These amendments tightened conditions for residence as a representative of a foreign commercial company and formally introduced a legal basis for digital nomad residence.
Further legislative amendments revised employment-based residence regimes, including the EU Single Permit and the EU Blue Card. Changes removed proof of accommodation requirement prior to entry and granted access to public health insurance for permit holders.
Salary and subsistence thresholds for employment-based and non-employment residence permits were increased from 1 January 2026, reflecting updated social security reference values.
In February 2026, public consultation of a Draft Law on Asylum and International Protection was launched. Changes have been introduced following this consultation that will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.
In November 2025, the Council of Ministers adopted an updated Programme for Humanitarian Support and Integration of Persons Displaced from Ukraine, extending housing, employment and social inclusion support for beneficiaries of temporary protection. This programme reinforced labour market access and local-level integration mechanisms.
Measures to encourage return migration included labour market integration programmes and the launch of the “I Choose Bulgaria” programme in August 2025. The programme offers financial and logistical support to returning Bulgarian citizens, such as relocation assistance of up to EUR 2 556 within the EU and EUR 5 112 outside the EU, information about the job market, assistance from the Employment Agency in finding a job and financial support for accommodation.
For further information: www.aref.government.bg | www.mvr.bg
