Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria

Bulgaria: Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data was 7,745 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
7,745
Change on year
down 48.9%
World rank
16th
of 33 countries
All-time high
22,805
in 2023
All-time low
655
in 2019
Years of data
18
2008–2025

Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria, 2008–2025

05.0k10.0k15.0k20.0k25.0k2008201620252008: 1.4k2009: 1.5k2010: 1.7k2011: 1.4k2012: 2.0k2013: 5.3k2014: 12.9k2015: 20.8k2016: 14.1k2017: 2.6k2018: 1.3k2019: 6552020: 6702021: 3.2k2022: 10.1k2023: 22.8k2024: 15.2k2025: 7.7k

Source: Eurostat.

Analysis

Bulgaria recorded 7,745 for third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in 2025.

The figure is down 48.9% on the previous year and down 62.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria peaked at 22,805 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 655, in 2019.

That places Bulgaria 16th out of 33 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria, year by year

Annual values for Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data (rounded) in Bulgaria, 2008 to 2025.
Year Value Change
2008 1,415
2009 1,465 +3.5%
2010 1,705 +16.4%
2011 1,355 -20.5%
2012 2,050 +51.3%
2013 5,260 +156.6%
2014 12,870 +144.7%
2015 20,810 +61.7%
2016 14,125 -32.1%
2017 2,595 -81.6%
2018 1,305 -49.7%
2019 655 -49.8%
2020 670 +2.3%
2021 3,200 +377.6%
2022 10,135 +216.7%
2023 22,805 +125.0%
2024 15,150 -33.6%
2025 7,745 -48.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1,440 1,415 1,465 2
2010s 6,273 655 20,810 10
2020s 9,951 670 22,805 6

Countries ranked near Bulgaria

  1. 13 Switzerland 15,300 compare
  2. 14 Czechia 10,370 compare
  3. 15 Belgium 9,420 compare
  4. 17 Ireland 5,460 compare
  5. 18 Cyprus 5,335 compare
  6. 19 Norway 5,100 compare

See the full ranking of 35 places →

More reference data data for Bulgaria

All data for Bulgaria →

Frequently asked questions

What is third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria?
Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria was 7,745 in 2025, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data recorded in Bulgaria?
The highest recorded value was 22,805 in 2023.
What is the lowest third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data recorded in Bulgaria?
The lowest recorded value was 655 in 2019.
How does Bulgaria rank for third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data?
Bulgaria ranks 16th out of 33 countries with data for 2025.
Is third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data rising or falling in Bulgaria?
Over the last ten years it is down 62.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data (rounded). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data in Bulgaria. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://reference.statizoid.com/stat/third-country-nationals-found-to-be-illegally-present-annual-data-rounded/bulgaria/

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About this data

Indicator
Third country nationals found to be illegally present - annual data (rounded)
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
35 places, 579 data points, 2008–2025
Last refreshed