site.btaInterior Ministry Reports 72.7% Decrease in People Attempting to Enter Bulgaria Illegally in 2025

A total of 12,270 people attempted to enter the country illegally between January 1 and September 30, which is 72.7% fewer compared to the same period in 2024 (44,987 people), according to the monthly report on the migration situation in the country published by the Interior Ministry here on Monday.

In September, 1,712 third-country nationals attempted to cross the country’s borders illegally (1,678 at the border with Turkiye, 19 at the border with Greece, 14 at the border with Serbia and 1 at the border with the Republic of North Macedonia). This represents a decrease of 74.1% compared to September 2024 (6,601 people).

A total of 74 third-country nationals were detained for illegal residence inside the country. The majority of them were from Afghanistan (40.5%) and Morocco (33.8%). A total of 514 people were detained at the borders. The largest groups were citizens of Afghanistan (44%), Morocco (20.8%) and Syria (16.3%).

As of September 30, the accommodation centres of the State Agency for Refugees were filled to 12.2% of capacity, housing 392 people. The Migration Directorate’s facilities accommodated 181 people, or 17.1% of capacity.

Between January 1 and September 30, a total of 949 third-country nationals were returned. Of these, 408 were returned by force, 315 were returned under readmission agreements, 110 with imposed compulsory administrative measures left the country voluntarily at their own expense, and 116 without imposed compulsory administrative measures also left voluntarily. In addition, 30 third-country nationals were transferred to other EU Member States under readmission procedures.