site.btaBulgarian Blue Flag Movement Opens 2026 Season Application Campaign

The Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement has launched the application campaign for participation in the international Blue Flag programme for the 2026 season. Applications are open to all beaches and marinas in Bulgaria that wish to be evaluated according to the programme’s standards. Submissions will be accepted until 20 January 2026, after which the National Jury will propose the approved candidates for review by the International Jury in Copenhagen.

In a statement to the media, the organization notes that over the years some Bulgarian participants have been recognized by international auditors as good examples of coastal zone management.

In 2025, the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement marked 30 years since the first Blue Flag award in Bulgaria.

According to the organization, participation in the programme supports the sustainable management of beaches and marinas by applying requirements related to environmental protection, water quality, safety, visitor services, and the provision of environmental information. It is also noted that certified sites can contribute to the development of local economies by boosting tourist interest.

As examples of countries with the largest number of awarded sites, the Bulgarian Blue Flag Movement lists Spain (747), Greece (617), Turkiye (614), Italy (566), France (503), and Portugal (440).

Blue Flag is a voluntary certification programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international organization with members from over 80 countries. It has operated for nearly 40 years, annually evaluating and certifying beaches, marinas, and tourism vessels. Currently, around 5,200 sites worldwide participate in the programme, including Bulgarian beaches and marinas.

A full list of certified sites is published on https://www.blueflag.global/.

Last year, the distinction was awarded to numerous beaches and marinas, including the beaches of Byalata Laguna, Albena, Kranevo North, Golden Sands, Sunny Day, Chernomorets Hut, Byala South, Obzor–Central, Kozluka, Robinson, Sveti Vlas–East, Sveti Vlas–New, Sveti Vlas–Central, Sunny Beach–North, Sunny Beach–Central, Sunny Beach–South, Nesebar–South, Pomorie–East, Camping Chernomorets, Sozopol–Central, Sozopol–Harmanite, Dyuni, Dyuni–South, Arkutino, Butamyata, as well as the marinas Dinevi Marina, Pomorie, Sarafovo, Kraimorie, and Chengene Skele.