site.btaIllegal Border Crossings into Bulgaria Drop 60% in 2025 Y/Y, with 2,688 Migrants Attempting Entry

In March 2025, 1,145 third-country nationals attempted to enter Bulgaria illegally, according to a reported published by the Ministry of Interior. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 2,688 people have tried to enter the country, which is 60% less compared to the same period of 2024 – 6,713 people.

A total of 220 migrants were detained in March 2025, of whom 146 were detained at the borders, and 74 were detained inland.

In March, the number of returned third-country nationals illegally residing in Bulgaria was 94. Since the start of the year that number rises to 317.

Among the returned third-country nationals, those from Syria prevail with 36.3%. Eleven third-country nationals have been transferred to other EU Member States under readmission procedures pursuant to Regulation No. 604/2013.