Overview
Capital: Sofia
Official EU language(s): Bulgarian
EU Member State: since 1 January 2007
Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN). Bulgaria has committed to adopt the euro once it fulfils the necessary conditions.
Schengen: Bulgaria is a member of the Schengen area. Air and sea border controls have been lifted as of 31 March 2024. Discussions on a further decision to lift controls at land borders will continue in 2024.
Figures:
- Geographical size: 110 996 km2
- Population: 6 447 710 (2023)
(Source: Eurostat - figures for geographical size and population)
Political system
Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a single house legislature based on proportional representation. The first democratic elections were held in 1990, shortly after the collapse of the Communist state.
The prime minister who is the head of government holds the most powerful executive position. The president who is the head of state primarily holds representative powers as well as limited veto powers.
Bulgaria is a unitary country. The territory is divided into 28 regions (oblast), with governors appointed by the prime minister. Municipalities do not have tax-collecting powers and largely depend on fiscal transfers from the state budget.
Trade and economy
Bulgaria’s GDP per capita of €22 000 ranks below the EU average (€35 500). It accounts for 0.5% of the EU's total GDP.
(Source: Eurostat - figures for GDP per capita and GDP)
(Source: Eurostat - figures for exports and imports)
There are 17 representatives from Bulgaria in the European Parliament . Find out who these Members of the European Parliament are and follow the activities of the European Parliament’s office in Bulgaria.
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Representatives from the Bulgarian government attend Council meetings focused on their area of responsibility several times a year.
The Council of the EU does not have a permanent, single-person president (like the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in the different policy areas, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Bulgarian presidencies:
Jan-June 2018
The European Commissioner nominated by Bulgaria is Iliana Ivanova who is responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation". Find out more about the Commission's representation in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in different countries.
Bulgaria has 12 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Bulgaria also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Bulgaria's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are heard and pursued as much as possible in the EU.
Budgets and funding
How much does Bulgaria pay and receive from the EU?
The EU budget is the tool to ensure that Europe remains a democratic, peaceful, prosperous and competitive force. The EU uses it to finance its priorities and big projects that most individual EU countries could not finance on their own.
The benefits of EU membership significantly exceed the size of the EU budget contributions and the examples are many. All Member States benefit from being part of the Single Market, a shared approach to the common challenges of migration, terrorism and climate change, and concrete gains like better transport infrastructure, modernised and digitalised public services and cutting-edge medical treatment.
How much each EU country pays into the EU budget is calculated fairly. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa.
The EU budget is not about giving and taking – it’s about collectively contributing to making Europe and the world a better place for us all.
EU budget spending and revenue per country and per year
EU-funded projects in Bulgaria
Money from the EU budget helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries – for example to build roads, subsidise researchers and protect the environment.
Find out more about how Bulgaria benefits from EU funding and recovery funds in your country or region.