Immigration to Bulgaria
Encyclopedia
Immigration to Bulgaria began in the early 20th century. The first immigrants in contemporary Bulgarian history without any Bulgarian ethnic origin were the Armenian
refugees who fled at the time of the Armenian genocide
in the Ottoman Empire
. The next wave of immigrants to Bulgaria
was during the socialist government in the country where large numbers of foreign students coming to study in Bulgarian universities and many of them remain in the country after its completion, many of whom married Bulgarian citizens and settled in the country. Also at that time many Bulgarians mostly men marry citizens of the then Soviet Union
, the Warsaw Pact
and Cuba
. The process continues with even greater migration to Bulgaria after 1989, when large groups of Chinese
, Arabs
, Vietnamese
, Africans, Russians, Ukrainians, Turks, Albanians and other groups established themselves permanently in Bulgaria.
The country's accession to the EU on January 1, 2007, has not yet led to a significant rise in the number of immigrants, although there is a growth in the number of refugees from Afghanistan
, Iran
, Iraq
, Sub-Saharan Africa
, Armenia
and a growth of private businesses being opened by citizens of Russia
, Ukraine
, Turkey
, China
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
and the countries in the Middle East
, notably Syria
and Lebanon
.
According to official data, the number of permanent foreign residents in Bulgaria as at 31.12.2008 is 66,806 and the vast majority of these come from Russia (21,309), the Ukraine (5,350), the Republic of Macedonia (4,375), Turkey (3,828) and Moldova (2.203). However, this number does not include immigrants who have already obtained Bulgarian citizenship or illegal immigrants. The number of immigrants in Bulgaria is expected to grow as a result of the accession of Bulgaria in the European Union
in 2007.
are notably the exemption of physical residency requirements and Bulgaria's membership in the European Union .
Armenians in Bulgaria
Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering 10,832 according to the 2001 census, while Armenian organizations estimate up to 22,000. They have been inhabiting the Balkans since no later than the 5th century, when they moved there as part of the Byzantine cavalry...
refugees who fled at the time of the Armenian genocide
Armenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
in the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. The next wave of immigrants to Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
was during the socialist government in the country where large numbers of foreign students coming to study in Bulgarian universities and many of them remain in the country after its completion, many of whom married Bulgarian citizens and settled in the country. Also at that time many Bulgarians mostly men marry citizens of the then Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, the Warsaw Pact
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Treaty Organization of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance , or more commonly referred to as the Warsaw Pact, was a mutual defense treaty subscribed to by eight communist states in Eastern Europe...
and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The process continues with even greater migration to Bulgaria after 1989, when large groups of Chinese
Chinese people in Bulgaria
Chinese people in Bulgaria form a small part of the Overseas Chinese community. According to estimates by members of the community, the Chinese in Bulgaria number around 5,000, although Bulgarian researchers put the figure at around 10,000 and the boldest estimates claim up to 100,000.Chinese are...
, Arabs
Arabs in Bulgaria
Arabs in Bulgaria are the people from Arab countries, particularly Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, and Iraq, who emigrated from their native nations and currently reside in Bulgaria. Most Arab Bulgarians are of Lebanese or Syrian origin. In the forty year history of this community,...
, Vietnamese
Vietnamese people in Bulgaria
Vietnamese people form the small immigrant community of Overseas Vietnamese in Bulgaria today, but their numbers were much higher in the 1980s. As of 2005, the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria numbers 1,500, including Bulgarian residents and/or citizens...
, Africans, Russians, Ukrainians, Turks, Albanians and other groups established themselves permanently in Bulgaria.
The country's accession to the EU on January 1, 2007, has not yet led to a significant rise in the number of immigrants, although there is a growth in the number of refugees from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa as a geographical term refers to the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara. A political definition of Sub-Saharan Africa, instead, covers all African countries which are fully or partially located south of the Sahara...
, Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
and a growth of private businesses being opened by citizens of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
and the countries in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, notably Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
According to official data, the number of permanent foreign residents in Bulgaria as at 31.12.2008 is 66,806 and the vast majority of these come from Russia (21,309), the Ukraine (5,350), the Republic of Macedonia (4,375), Turkey (3,828) and Moldova (2.203). However, this number does not include immigrants who have already obtained Bulgarian citizenship or illegal immigrants. The number of immigrants in Bulgaria is expected to grow as a result of the accession of Bulgaria in the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
in 2007.
Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria
A new Bulgarian legislation as of May 2009 provides the framework for attracting foreign capital and business knowledge to the country. In return, Bulgaria offers its right of residence and eventually citizenship. The benefits of the Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in BulgariaInvestor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria
The Investor Program for Residence and Citizenship in Bulgaria was founded in 2009 and implemented following the decisive legislation actions of the Bulgarian Government to attract foreign investment and business interest in the country...
are notably the exemption of physical residency requirements and Bulgaria's membership in the European Union .
See also
- Arabs in BulgariaArabs in BulgariaArabs in Bulgaria are the people from Arab countries, particularly Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian Territories, and Iraq, who emigrated from their native nations and currently reside in Bulgaria. Most Arab Bulgarians are of Lebanese or Syrian origin. In the forty year history of this community,...
- Armenians in BulgariaArmenians in BulgariaArmenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering 10,832 according to the 2001 census, while Armenian organizations estimate up to 22,000. They have been inhabiting the Balkans since no later than the 5th century, when they moved there as part of the Byzantine cavalry...
- Chinese people in BulgariaChinese people in BulgariaChinese people in Bulgaria form a small part of the Overseas Chinese community. According to estimates by members of the community, the Chinese in Bulgaria number around 5,000, although Bulgarian researchers put the figure at around 10,000 and the boldest estimates claim up to 100,000.Chinese are...
- Germans in BulgariaGermans in BulgariaGermans are a minority ethnic group in Bulgaria . Although according to the 2001 census they only numbered 436, the settlement of Germans in Bulgaria has a long and eventful history and comprises several waves, the earliest in the Middle Ages....
- Jews in BulgariaHistory of the Jews in BulgariaThe history of the Jews in Bulgaria dates to at least as early as the 2nd century CE. Since then, the Jews have had a continuous presence in the Bulgarian lands and have played an often considerable part in the history of Bulgaria from ancient times through the Middle Ages until...
- Roma in BulgariaRoma in BulgariaThe Roma in Bulgaria are the country's second largest minority and third largest ethnic group . According to the 2001 census, there were 370,908 Roma in Bulgaria, equivalent to 4.7% of the country's total population, making Bulgaria the European country with the highest percentage of Roma.Experts'...
- Russians in BulgariaRussians in BulgariaRussians form the fourth largest ethnic group in Bulgaria, numbering 9,978 according to the 2011 census, and mostly living in the large urban centres, such as Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas...
- Turks in BulgariaTurks in BulgariaThe Turks in Bulgaria number 588,318 people and constitute 8.8% of those who declared their ethnic group and 8.0% of the total population according to the 2011 Bulgarian census. 605,802 persons or 9.1% of the population pointed Turkish language as their mother tongue. They are also the largest...
- Vietnamese people in BulgariaVietnamese people in BulgariaVietnamese people form the small immigrant community of Overseas Vietnamese in Bulgaria today, but their numbers were much higher in the 1980s. As of 2005, the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria numbers 1,500, including Bulgarian residents and/or citizens...
- Demographics of BulgariaDemographics of BulgariaThis article is about the demographic features of the population of Bulgaria, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population....
- Immigration to EuropeImmigration to EuropeImmigration to Europe increased from the 1980s onward, as a result of people from developing countries wanting to escape war, oppression, natural disasters or poverty. Some EU countries saw a dramatic growth in immigration after World War II until the 1970s. Most European nations today have...
- List of countries by immigrant population