Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian police reports increased illegal migration pressure on Bulgaria

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Since the beginning of 2020, there has been a trend of increasing illegal migration pressure on Bulgaria, as well as the activation of domestic and cross-border criminal networks involved in the illegal transfer of illegal migrants through the so-called "Western Balkan route" to Western Europe. 

The data comes from the General Directorate of the National Police, which were announced today by its director, Chief Commissioner Ventsislav Kirchev, during a meeting of police chiefs of Southeast European countries in Zagreb, with the support of the French police, in the context of the French presidency of the Council of Europe. 

According to the information, mostly foreign nationals, from the starting points of the routes or at the end point of the canal, organize and coordinate the traffic on the route from the Middle East through the Balkans to the countries of Western Europe. The cost of a person's trip from Turkey to a selected destination varies from 3,000 to 7,000 euros. A part of the trafficking of narcotic substances through Bulgaria is carried out through migrants under the so-called "Balkan Route". 

Illegal migrants smuggle mainly heroin and, more recently, methamphetamine, thus paying for the "trafficking service". With regard to marijuana trafficking, the role of Bulgaria as a transit point is growing.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM