How many Indians moved to Bulgaria in 2025?
Bulgaria issued 1,338 first residence permits to Indian citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 461 more than in 2024 (877), a change of +52.6%. By reason: work 1,019 (76.2%), education 232 (17.3%), family 80 (6.0%), other reasons 7 (0.5%). 1,124 of them (84.0%) were valid for 12 months or more.
Bulgaria · Indian citizens · 2025: 1,338 first residence permits
Bulgaria issued 0.6% of all first permits given to Indian citizens in the EU in 2025 (227,577). Every EU country.
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
What this number is, and what it is not
- It is the number of Indian citizens who received a residence permit in Bulgaria for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
- It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
- It leaves out Indians who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
- It is not the number of Indians living in Bulgaria, which is much larger.
Why Indians moved to Bulgaria in 2025: permits by reason
| Reason | 2025 | Share | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family | 80 | 6.0% | 62 | +29.0% |
| Education | 232 | 17.3% | 165 | +40.6% |
| Work | 1,019 | 76.2% | 649 | +57.0% |
| Other | 7 | 0.5% | 1 | +600.0% |
| All reasons | 1,338 | 100% | 877 | +52.6% |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.
Indians moving to Bulgaria, year by year (2019–2025)
| Year | All reasons | Family | Education | Work | Other | Valid 12+ months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 242 | 89 | 71 | 78 | 4 | 126 |
| 2020 | 171 | 41 | 72 | 57 | 1 | 86 |
| 2021 | 139 | 26 | 78 | 30 | 5 | 72 |
| 2022 | 355 | 64 | 176 | 113 | 2 | 193 |
| 2023 | 516 | 54 | 187 | 270 | 5 | 342 |
| 2024 | 877 | 62 | 165 | 649 | 1 | 733 |
| 2025 | 1,338 | 80 | 232 | 1,019 | 7 | 1,124 |
Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).
Questions people ask
How many Indians moved to Bulgaria in 2025?
1,338 Indian citizens received a first residence permit in Bulgaria in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 461 more than in 2024 (877), a change of +52.6%.
How many Indians moved to Bulgaria in 2024?
877 Indian citizens received a first residence permit in Bulgaria in 2024.
Why do Indians move to Bulgaria?
The most common reason in 2025 was work (1,019 permits). By reason: work 1,019 (76.2%), education 232 (17.3%), family 80 (6.0%), other reasons 7 (0.5%).
How many Indians moved to Europe in 2025?
The 27 EU countries issued 227,577 first residence permits to Indian citizens in 2025; Bulgaria issued 0.6% of them. All countries.
Is this the number of Indians living in Bulgaria?
No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.
Visas and statistics for Bulgaria on this site
Where else Indians moved in 2025
Who else moved to Bulgaria in 2025
How many Indians moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator