Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe and has kept its original name since its founding in 681 AD.
The Republic of Bulgaria
BulgariaEastern Europe-2:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Bulgarian
National CurrencyEuro (EUR)
National Day(s)3 March (Liberation Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalSofia
Economic CapitalSofia
Cultural CapitalPlovdiv
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 5 – 5.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportSofia Airport (SOF)
Primary PortPort of Varna (seaport complex on the Black Sea)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline354 km
Highest PointMusala (2,925 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverDanube River (the longest river in the European Union, forming most of Bulgaria’s northern border)
ClimateContinental climate with cold winters and hot summers
Border Countries
TurkeyGreeceNorth MacedoniaRomaniaSerbia
5Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
Bulgaria was the first country to officially adopt the Cyrillic alphabet, which is now used by millions of people worldwide.
Martenitsi are traditional Bulgarian adornments made of interwoven red and white threads given to loved ones on 1 March to celebrate Baba Marta (Grandmother March) and welcome the arrival of spring.
The Rose Festival is one of Bulgaria’s most famous cultural celebrations and takes place every year in Kazanlak.
24 May is a national public holiday celebrating the alphabet, education, culture and Slavic literature.
The Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s most famous monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Varna Gold Treasure discovered in Bulgaria is considered the world’s oldest known worked gold, dating back more than 6,000 years.
During the Kukeri Festival, people wear large animal-like masks and costumes and perform traditional dances believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Bulgaria is famous for Nestinarstvo, a traditional ritual in which people dance barefoot on burning embers.
Bulgaria has more than 600 mineral springs and is one of Europe’s leading destinations for spa and wellness tourism.
John Atanasoff, a computer pioneer of Bulgarian descent, helped develop the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC), one of the world’s first electronic digital computers.
Bulgaria is one of the world’s leading producers of rose oil, a valuable ingredient used in luxury perfumes around the world.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | BulgariaUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Iliana Iotova
Since January 2026
H.E. Dr. Rumen Radev
Since May 2026
H.E. Dr. Velislava Petrova-Chamova
Since May 2026
H.E. Galab Donev
Since May 2026
H.E. Alexander Pulev
Since May 2026
H.E. Dimitar Stoyanov
Since May 2026
Political Summary
Political System
Parliamentary Republic
The presidency is largely ceremonial; executive government is led by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
Ruling Party
Progressive Bulgaria: Centre-left (since May 2026)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Democratic Bulgaria (DB) / We Continue the Change (PP): CentreGERB–SDS: Centre-right coalition led by former Prime Minister Boyko BorissovMovement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS): led by Delyan Peevski; traditionally represents Bulgaria’s Turkish minority
Next Presidential Election
25 October 2026
A runoff is expected on 1 November 2026 if no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round.
Next Legislative Election
2030
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
50Organizations
35Member
1Founding Member
5Partner, Observer or Participant
9Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Bulgaria | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations19 Oct 199135 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Abdulrahman Ahmed Al JaberUAE Ambassador to Bulgaria · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Ivan JordanovAmbassador of Bulgaria to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures3Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai3
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bulgaria Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Bulgaria | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | Bulgaria is an EU member state.Negotiations with the EU launched on 28 May 2025.The first round of negotiations began on 24 Jun 2025. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Not Signed | Negotiations ongoing. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 26 Jun 2007.Ratified and entered into force on 16 Nov 2008. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Ratified | Signed and ratified by both sides on 25 Jan 2016. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Bulgaria | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Ahmed bin Ali Al SayeghMinister of StateNov2019
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign Affairs and International CooperationJun2019
- H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed AlmheiriMinister of State for Food SecurityNov2018
- H.E. Sultan bin Saeed Al MansooriMinister of EconomyOct2016
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Miroslav BorshoshMinister of Tourism of the Republic of BulgariaMay2025
- H.E. Bogdan BogdanovMinister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of BulgariaFeb2024
- H.E. Rumen RadevPresident of the Republic of BulgariaDec2023
- H.E. Zaritsa DinkovaMinister of Tourism of the Republic of BulgariaDec2023
- H.E. Milena StoychevaMinister of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of BulgariaDec2023
- H.E. Rumen RadevMinister of Energy of the Republic of BulgariaDec2023
- H.E. Todor StoyanovDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaApr2023
- H.E. Irena GeorgievaDeputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of BulgariaMar2023
- H.E. Rumen RadevPresident of the Republic of BulgariaSep2022
- H.E. Hristo AleksievDeputy Prime Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of BulgariaSep2022
- H.E. Nikolay MilkovMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaSep2022
- H.E. Nikola StoyanovMinister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of BulgariaSep2022
- H.E. Alexander PulevMinister of Innovation and Growth of the Republic of BulgariaSep2022
- H.E. Todor StoyanovDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaApr2022
- H.E. Emil KaranikolovMinister of Economy of the Republic of BulgariaApr2020
- H.E. Mariyana NikolovaDeputy Prime Minister for Economic and Demographic Policy of the Republic of BulgariaFeb2020
- H.E. Petko DoykovDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaJan2020
- H.E. Boyko BorissovPrime Minister of the Republic of BulgariaOct2019
- H.E. Emil KaranikolovMinister of Economy of the Republic of BulgariaOct2019
- H.E. Vladislav GoranovMinister of Finance of the Republic of BulgariaOct2019
- H.E. Boil BanovMinister of Culture of the Republic of BulgariaApr2019
- H.E. Emil KaranikolovMinister of Economy of the Republic of BulgariaFeb2019
- H.E. Mladen MarinovMinister of Interior of the Republic of BulgariaFeb2019
- H.E. Sotir TsatsarovProsecutor General of the Republic of BulgariaFeb2019
- H.E. Mladen MarinovMinister of Interior of the Republic of BulgariaNov2018
- H.E. Krasimir ValchevMinister of Education and Science of the Republic of BulgariaNov2018
- H.E. Todor StoyanovDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaNov2018
- H.E. Boyko BorissovPrime Minister of the Republic of BulgariaOct2018
- H.E. Ekaterina ZaharievaDeputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaApr2018
- H.E. Ivaylo MoskovskiMinister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications of the Republic of BulgariaJan2016
- H.E. Todor StoyanovDeputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of BulgariaJun2012
- H.E. Miroslav NaydenovMinister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of BulgariaNov2010
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)34.2USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)132.4USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Bulgarian Companies in the UAE
SAVOIR | Unique EstatesLuxury real estate brokerage
TrymaxSports accessories
Sirma Group / Sirma FZESoftware, AI, digital transformation, financial and insurance technology
Espica LightingArchitectural lighting and lighting solutions
Major UAE Companies in Bulgaria
DP World-
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research