Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Number of refugees and migrants in Bulgaria decrease two-fold in past six months

Photo: BGNES

The number of refugees and migrants in Bulgaria decreased two-fold in the past six months, data of the State Agency for Refugees and Migration Directorate with the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior show, BGNES informs. Currently, the migrant accommodation centers in Bulgaria are functioning at 55%-60% of their total capacity. The drastic decrease of the number of refugees and migrants is due to three factors. Firstly, migration pressure towards Bulgaria has seen significant decrease in the recent months. 607 illegal foreign nationals have been detained in that country since the beginning of 2017, whereas nearly 2,600 illegal migrants were detained in the same period last year. Secondly, the number of illegal foreign nationals deported back to their home countries has increased significantly, too. 129 illegal migrants were deported from Bulgaria in the past week only. Thirdly, some migrants who stayed in Bulgaria managed to reach other countries in Central and Western Europe. Currently, nearly 1,300 Afghani nationals, just over 1,000 Syrians and nearly 600 Iraqi citizens are residing in Bulgaria.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Kostadin Kostadinov

Vazrazhdane to protest in Parliament against the adoption of the euro

"We came out to defend freedom. We will keep fighting. The protest continues on Wednesday", Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said an interview with BNR. "The protest continues inside the National Assembly. We will resist until the end", the MP..

published on 2/23/25 12:20 PM

Far-right group organizes Lukov March in Sofia

Despite the ban by the Sofia Municipality, the Lukov March took place under heightened police presence. Participants in the far-right procession gathered on February 22 at Sveta Nedelya Square. They marched to the house of General Hristo Lukov, where..

published on 2/23/25 11:26 AM

Bulgaria–North Macedonia commission on historical and educational issues reports no progress

The meeting of the Joint Multidisciplinary Commission of Experts on Historical and Educational Issues between Bulgaria and North Macedonia  in Skopje ended without progress, BTA reported. On February 21 and 22, the Commission once again..

published on 2/23/25 10:14 AM