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Bulgaria

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
108,054
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
19,981
UK visas issued, 2025
1,569
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
2.5%
NationalityBGISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<BGBULGARIA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
BG5<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Bulgaria need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaFree movement (EU/EFTA citizens)Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaNo visa; electronic travel authorization (eTA) needed to flyIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Bulgaria move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany65,871
  2. Netherlands12,328
  3. Spain8,469
  4. Austria4,883
  5. Belgium3,857
  6. Switzerland2,634
  7. Italy1,728
  8. Denmark1,646
  9. United States940
  10. Czechia932
  11. France896
  12. Sweden851
  13. Türkiye778
  14. Norway625
  15. Slovenia376

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

69k138k200020032006200920122015201820212023
69k138k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
200026,960
200135,696
200241,343
200342,212
200448,500
200542,806
200643,049
200786,745
200865,796
200963,717
201075,795
201189,718
201297,740
201399,382
2014124,734
2015126,461
2016125,958
2017125,976
2018128,775
2019137,788
2020109,971
2021117,491
2022122,315
2023108,054
Share going to the top destination
61.0%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Bulgaria who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Türkiye348,052
  2. Germany338,439
  3. Spain103,587
  4. Greece78,992
  5. Netherlands58,481
  6. Belgium51,857
  7. Italy50,769
  8. Austria38,651
  9. France35,728
  10. Canada20,575
  11. Israel18,875
  12. Czechia12,878

Living abroad by year

626k1.25M19901995200020052010201520202024
626k1.25M19902000201020202024
Data table
1990597,707
1995661,065
2000707,846
2005808,373
2010926,056
20151,030,383
20201,178,732
20241,252,234
Living abroad, 2024
1,252,234
Change since 2000
+76.9%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
27.8%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Bulgaria by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B213,894
  2. J14,002
  3. C1/D813
  4. F1192
  5. H2B148
  6. NATO2145
  7. B1133
  8. A2115
  9. H1B67
  10. L164

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

11k22k201720182019202020212022202320242025
11k22k20172019202120232025
Data table
201714,074
201820,532
201922,415
20209,772
20214,476
202214,046
202320,625
202420,147
202519,981
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR590
  2. IH366
  3. IR139
  4. DV38
  5. F415
  6. F114
  7. IR213
  8. CR112
Immigrant visas, FY2025
337
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
38
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Bulgaria who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Bulgaria with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

1,3452,6902015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,3452,690201520172019202120232024
Data table
20152,690
20162,670
20172,180
20181,800
20191,760
20201,120
20211,000
20221,150
2023960
2024970
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens740
  2. Employment-based preferences130
  3. Family-sponsored preferences60
  4. Diversity visa lottery30
  5. Refugees and asylees10
  6. Other classes10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)390
  2. Specialty occupations (H-1B)280
  3. Spouses and children220
  4. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)180
  5. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)140
  6. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)140
  7. Other temporary workers50
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Bulgaria)
970
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Bulgaria)
1,410
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
43,790
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Bulgaria (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Bulgaria (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Work772
  2. Visitor382
  3. Study297
  4. Family83
  5. Other35

Visas issued by year

8561,711201020122014201620182020202220242025
8561,711201020132016201920222025
Data table
201013
20113
20125
20135
20145
20151
20161
20176
20187
20192
202018
20211,669
20221,711
20231,702
20241,633
20251,569
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
930
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Bulgaria, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
2025105520400
20241513015950
202302253513510
202220100151355
202101156016520
20201550209520
2019252654516515
201801704018510
201710752530515
20162070403700
2015540253700
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Bulgaria, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

24482005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
24482005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–0619
2006–0721
2007–0825
2008–0911
2009–1013
2010–1119
2011–1222
2012–1335
2013–1420
2014–1540
2015–1638
2016–1728
2017–1830
2018–1948
2019–2017
2020–2112
2021–2212
2022–2317
2023–2412
2024–2521
2025–266
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills4
  2. Labour Agreement1
  3. Specialist Skills1
Granted, 2025–26
6
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.0%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Bulgaria living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

2685352012201420162018202220242025
2685352012201420162018202220242025
Data table
2012393
2013373
2014410
2015449
2016535
2017445
2018467
2019488
2022472
2023472
2024483
2025498
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident189
  2. Student94
  3. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services71
  4. Spouse or Child of Japanese National61
  5. Dependent28
  6. Professor12
  7. Long-Term Resident8
  8. Highly Skilled Professional8
  9. Entertainer6
  10. Designated Activities4
Residents, December 2025
498
In work-related statuses
106
Share in work-related statuses
21.3%
Students
94
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Bulgaria

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Bulgaria, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Greece15113721.3%
Germany1019600.0%
France658023.1%
Spain555200.0%
Hungary555500.0%
Austria494724.1%
Netherlands3729513.5%
Belgium282627.1%
Poland262413.8%
Italy252328.0%
Finland191900.0%
Portugal151500.0%
Romania9700.0%
Czechia5500.0%
Slovenia4400.0%

Applications by year

2,8895,7772009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,8895,777200920122015201820212024
Data table
20094,956
20103,253
20113,475
20124,025
20134,793
20145,740
20155,218
20164,989
20175,149
20184,826
20195,777
20201,989
20212,743
20224,579
20235,459
2024650
Refusal rate, 2024
2.5%
Refusal rate, 2019
3.9%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Bulgaria in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20251,222833821980109
Sweden20254773000474
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025100138-38
Austria20253,9713,94724
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark833
  2. Sweden3
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Bulgaria

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Bulgaria, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Albania1——
Algeria1——
Argentina1——
Armenia1——
Austria1——
Azerbaijan1——
Belarus1——
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Cambodia1——
China1——
Croatia1——
Cuba1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia1——
Egypt1——
Finland1——
France1——
Georgia1——
Germany1——
Greece1——
Hungary1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kosovo1——
Kuwait1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Moldova1——
Mongolia1——
Montenegro1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
North Korea1——
North Macedonia1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Poland1——
Portugal1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Serbia1——
Seychelles——1
Slovakia1——
Slovenia1——
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Türkiye12—
Ukraine1——
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1—1
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Countries
68
Missions
71
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Bulgaria, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

1,3762,7522000200320062009201220152018202120242025
1,3762,752200020052010201520202025
Data table
200058
2001826
20021,177
20031,718
20041,723
20051,613
20061,716
20071,694
20081,919
20091,592
20101,333
20111,483
20121,449
20131,667
20141,718
20151,524
20161,629
20172,080
20182,122
20192,136
20201,985
20212,010
20222,092
20232,286
20242,643
20252,752
Remittances received, 2025
US$2,752 million
Share of GDP, 2025
2.1%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Bulgaria, 2023
3.5%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Bulgaria

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Bulgaria → Germany
  • Bulgaria → Netherlands
  • Bulgaria → Spain
  • Bulgaria → Austria
  • Bulgaria → United States
  • Bulgaria → Belgium
  • Bulgaria → Switzerland
  • Bulgaria → Italy
  • Bulgaria → Denmark
  • Bulgaria → Czechia
  • Bulgaria → France
  • Bulgaria → Türkiye
  • Bulgaria → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more