The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2023. The next Eurostat update is expected in March 2025.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2023, there were about 64 600 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 1% of the population, and another 18 600 EU citizens (0.3%) living in Bulgaria at the time.

According to the European Migration Network (EMN)’s 2022 country factsheet for Bulgaria, in 2021, the most residence permits issued to TCNs in Bulgaria were related to family reunification (35.4%), work (21.3%), and studies (11.3%).

Further detailed statistical data is available in the EMN 2022 country factsheet for Bulgaria, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.

Since the start of the war against Ukraine in February 2022, over 2 million Ukrainians have entered Bulgaria according to data from the official Bulgarian government's portal Bulgaria for Ukraine. As of January 2024, over 174 000 of them had registered for temporary protection, but only some 53 000 had remained in the country. Similarly, Eurostat counts that by the end of March 2024, there were 49 190 temporary protection holders in the country. See also monthly updates in the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.

In terms of citizenship, a total of 7 410 foreigners acquired Bulgarian citizenship in 2022, national statistics reveal. In line with national priorities, the top countries of origin among these naturalised citizens are countries which have traditionally had Bulgarian minority populations: the Republic of North Macedonia (1 992), Ukraine (1 639), Serbia (556) and Albania (517). In addition, as of 2022, Turkey is also part of this list (1 290). No aggregated data on Bulgarian citizens with third-country background has been made available.

However, the  OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Bulgaria, including in terms of foreign-born citizens, as well as for immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.

In early 2021, Bulgaria adopted its National Strategy on Migration of the Republic of Bulgaria 2021-2025. While it touches on integration, just like the preceding document covering the 2015-2020 period, the strategy does not contain the term 'integration' in its title.

The new strategy outlines four goals, paraphrased as follows:

• To provide conditions for the reception of migrants - particularly highly skilled workers - who arrive legally in the country for work, studies or other reasons and have legal grounds to stay (taking into account also the needs of the labour market); to establish a facilitated regime for entry and residence, under the conditions of mobility, to attract highly qualified TCN workers.
• To strengthen the processes of return for foreigners residing in the country without legal grounds, by the established standards for the protection of human rights; to strengthen measures for the prevention of undocumented migration and illegal residence on the territory of the country.
• To contribute to the adoption of a Common European Asylum System by the principles of solidarity and responsibility, thus ensuring the adequate reception of persons in need of protection while "preventing the unequal distribution of the burden of refugee flows and the abuses of the system for asylum, and preventing secondary movements".
• To participate in the processes of developing and strengthening partnerships with third countries, and to actively contribute to partnerships with key third countries of origin and transit, sources of undocumented migration flows into Bulgaria.

The strategy's chapter on integration is brief and less concrete. It highlights that Bulgaria has a modern, well-developed and effective legislation in the field of equal opportunities, social inclusion and non-discrimination, in full compliance with European standards, and also notes that the implementation of the integration of migrants will be supported financially by the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). No potential areas of improvement are mentioned in the document.

The 2022 action plan on the goals of the strategy does not contain any integration measures. The 2022 action plan on the priorities of the strategy, however, contains various measures related to migrant integration, in the fields of good governance, employment, education, psychological support, and healthcare.

One report on the implementation of the strategy has so far been published, covering the period April 2021 – June 2022.

Currently, Bulgaria does not have a national integration programme for TCNs. In the past, such programmes were provided on a limited basis for a specific target group, such as asylum seekers and the beneficiaries of international protection.

Between 2005 and 2013, the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) implemented three National Programmes for Refugee Integration. The most recent programme covered the period 2011-2013, and has not been renewed despite the significant increase of beneficiaries of international protection arrivals since then.

However, an Ordinance on the terms and procedures for concluding, enforcing and terminating the integration agreement of beneficiaries of international protection was adopted in 2017. It is a non-mandatory instrument developed to promote beneficiaries of international protection integration in Bulgaria. The ordinance document preserves the principle that integration support in Bulgaria is based on the voluntary agreement between municipalities and the beneficiaries of international protection. It allows persons granted international protection to use a "package" of services, including housing, kindergarten or school enrollment, Bulgarian language courses, health insurance, professional orientation and training programmes. However, no national funding has been allocated for this programme and its effect has thus remained limited.

There is no official evaluation of migrant integration in Bulgaria. However, research accessing specific areas or target groups is available.

The international Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a major evaluation tool used in Bulgaria. It points out that integration is still not a priority for the Bulgarian government: Bulgaria ranked 43rd out of 52 countries in MIPEX 2020, falling into the group of countries characterised as providing migrants with "equality only on paper".

The National Integration Evaluation Mechanism (NIEM), an EU-funded research tool, was used in Bulgaria in the 2016 - 2022 period. According to the latest 2021 NIEM report, Bulgaria scores only 37.1 points out of 100: the third lowest of all countries evaluated (Poland and Hungary scored, respectively, 36.9 and 32.8 points).

A 2022 Human Rights Report published by the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) highlighted that in 2022, 6 families (approximately 20 people) signed integration agreements. This represents a decrease in comparison with 2021, when a total of 83 beneficiaries of international protections received integration support.

Law on foreigners

The Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act was adopted in December 1998. It covers the procedures of entry, departure, stay and residence of foreigners. It has been amended about 70 times since. 

Asylum law

The Law on Asylum and Refugees was adopted in May 2002. It defines the conditions and procedures for granting international protection to foreigners, as well as their rights and obligations.

Integration law

Bulgaria does not have a self-standing integration law.

Citizenship law

The Bulgarian Citizenship Act was adopted in November 1998. It establishes the basic rules, conditions and processes to acquire, lose and regain Bulgarian citizenship.

Anti-discrimination law

The Protection against Discrimination Act was adopted in September 2003. It regulates the protection against all forms of discrimination and promotes prevention.

Specific ministries are responsible for migration issues within different fields.

The overarching governmental body advising on related policies is the National Council on Migration, Borders, Asylum and Integration which was established in 2019 and replaced the 2015 National Council on Migration and Integration. The new council advises on the implementation of national policies in the areas of migration, borders, asylum and integration. The council’s chairperson is the interior minister, and its members include deputy ministers as well as the chairpersons of the State Agency for Child Protection and the State Agency for Refugees, the deputy chairpersons of the State Agency National Security and State Intelligence Agency, the director of the National Customs Agency, the secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and a representative of the board of the National Association of Municipalities.

In addition, an ordinance on concluding, enforcing and terminating the integration of beneficiaries of international protection envisions that a deputy prime minister would coordinate its implementation. However, no such minister has been appointed so far.  

Bulgaria does not have a civil society consultative body on issues related to the integration of migrants.

Representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are, however, invited to participate in meetings of the National Council on Migration, Borders, Asylum and Integration on an ad hoc basis.

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, private funds are available for service providers and other integration stakeholders to carry out integration projects.

EU funds

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Bulgaria

• Details: A total of up to €28 505 459 has been allocated to Bulgaria under AMIF for the 2021-2027. Under Objective 2, the Bulgarian programme focuses on integration measures, particularly for vulnerable migrants, as well as on the provision of language training and ‘increasing the tolerance of the Bulgarian society’, while minimising intercultural differences. See the Bulgarian AMIF programme.
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for the AMIF in Bulgaria is the International Projects Directorate (IPD) of the interior ministry.  

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Bulgaria

• Details: ESF+ is the main tool for furthering employment and social inclusion in the EU. Within it, a budget of €2.625 million is allocated for Bulgaria for the 2021 - 2027 financial period. Out of this, 25% will be directed specifically to social inclusion measures, including migrant integration.
• National managing authority: The national managing authority for the European Social Fund (ESF) in Bulgaria is the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Other EU funds for integration available in Bulgaria

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

National managing authority: Human Resource Development Centre

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

National managing authority: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

National managing authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

National managing authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry; EMFAF supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies and finances projects that create jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts

Other funds

• Active Citizens Fund, operated by the Open Society Institute – Sofia, in consortium with the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation and the Trust for Social Achievement Foundation
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Representation in Bulgaria

Providing integration services

• Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC): Social integration activities for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Caritas Sofia: Activities to facilitate the social and economic integration of third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Council of Refugee Women in Bulgaria (CRWB): Counselling and social support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• International Organization for Migration (IOM): Activities to facilitate the social and economic integration of third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Mission Wings: Counselling and social support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Multi Kulti Collective (MKC): Community development activities, economic integration support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Center Nadya: Psychological counselling and therapy for beneficiaries of international protection
• Sofia Development Association (SDA): Integration support to third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection, especially via the Sofia Municipality Bureau for information and services for foreign citizens in Sofia
• Ukrainian Hive: Educational activities for Ukrainian citizens in Sofia
• Integration and Training Centre Integrico: Educational activities for Ukrainian citizens in Varna
• CVS Bulgaria: Educational support for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection
• Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC): Legal support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection
• Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR): Legal support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection and stateless people
• Center for Legal Aid Voice in Bulgaria: Legal support for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection and stateless people

Implementing integration programme

NA

Campaigning

• Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants (BCRM): Advocacy activities on national and local level to promote the integration of beneficiaries of international protection
• Multi Kulti Collective (MKC): Advocacy and communication campaigning at both national and local level
• Mission Wings: Advocacy and communication campaigning at both national and local level
• Sofia Development Association (SDA): Advocacy and communication campaigning at both national and local level
• Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR): Advocacy and media campaigns to raise institutional and public awareness, and legal support for access to rights for third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection as well as stateless people
• Center for Legal Aid Voice in Bulgaria: Advocacy and media campaigns targeted at third-country nationals, including beneficiaries of international protection and stateless people

Publishing research and statistics

• National Statistical Institute (NIS)
• Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD)
• Centre for European Refugees, Migration and Ethnic Studies – CERMES
• Policy and Citizens’ Observatory: Migration, Digitalization, Climate
• Multi Kulti Collective (MKC)
• Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC)