Key engagement

International security, counter-proliferation. Bilateral engagement. People-to-people links.

Bilateral relations

Australia and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1972.

Australia and Bulgaria share warm people-to-people ties and are like-minded on a range of international issues in multilateral fora. The Bulgarian community in Australia is the largest Bulgarian diaspora in the Indo-Pacific. As of the 2021 Australian census, there were 3,718 people born in Bulgaria in Australia and 8,039 Australian residents of Bulgarian descent. There are AFL clubs in Bulgaria.

Foreign policy

Bulgaria's foreign policy focus is on further integration with the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007 and NATO in 2004. Bulgaria held the Presidency of the EU Council for the first time in 2018. Bulgaria will partially enter the Schengen zone in March 2024 and is aiming to join the Eurozone in 2025.

Bulgaria takes an active role in multilateral institutions.  Bulgaria is a member of the Australia Group and several other like-minded Non-Proliferation groupings such as the Wassenaar Agreement, the Zangger Committee, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime.  Bulgaria joined the World Trade Organization in 1996.

Bulgaria supports Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including in relation to its territorial waters; and has provided multifaceted support to Ukraine.

Fast facts

Bulgarian visitors to Australia (year ending June 2023)

1,605

Resident Australian population born in Bulgaria (2021 census)

3,718

Australian residents of Bulgarian descent (2021 census)

8,039

Political overview

Under its July 1991 constitution, Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic with a parliamentary executive. It has a single chamber, 240-member parliament called the National Assembly, which is elected every four years by universal suffrage. Members are elected through a system of proportional representation, with a four per cent threshold required for party representation.

The prime minister and cabinet are drawn from the group able to command a majority in the Assembly. The president, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is popularly elected once every five years for a maximum of two terms. The president enjoys largely ceremonial powers but does hold certain emergency powers and may return legislation to the National Assembly for further consideration, which can in turn be overruled.

Public diplomacy

The Australian Embassy in Athens raises awareness of Australia's culture and values in Bulgaria, advocates for global trade liberalisation, and promotes Australia as a contemporary, creative, successful, diverse and tolerant nation and an innovative and attractive trade and investment partner.

In 2022, Australia and Bulgaria celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations through a series of initiatives (https://bulgaria.embassy.gov.au/athn/22BG50th.html).

Australian Embassy in Athens is accredited to Bulgaria.

Australia has a Consulate in Sofia, headed by an Honorary Consul.

• Facebook: Australia in Greece
• X: @AusAmbAthens

Economic diplomacy

In 2022, Australia's two-way goods and services trade with Bulgaria was valued at $156.9 million, dominated by imports from Bulgaria ($117 million).

In 2022, Australian exports to Bulgaria included non-ferrous waste and scrap and wool and other animal hair; while imports from Bulgaria to Australia included medicaments (including veterinary), oil-seeds & oleaginous fruits, recreational travel and cheese & curd.

More economic and trade information [PDF].

Australia continues to seek opportunities to promote Australian business and raise awareness of potential benefits of increased trade between Australia and Bulgaria. This work has intensified following the launch of the Australia-EU FTA negotiations in June 2018.

More information about the Australia-EU FTA.

Business

The Bulgarian Australian Business Council promotes economic relations between Australia and Bulgaria.

Austrade's Prague Office is responsible for Bulgaria, and assesses potential trade and investment opportunities in Bulgaria.

Travel

Smartraveller information on travelling to Bulgaria.