Key engagement

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

Bilateral relations

Australia and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1972. In 2024, we signed a memorandum of understanding on ‘Collaboration in Research and Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage’.  Negotiations are underway on a Double Taxation Agreement.

Australia and Bulgaria are like-minded on a range of international issues in multilateral forums. 

We share warm people-to-people ties. 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. The Australian Football League (AFL) Europe has two 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 became a full member of the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025, with the lifting of land border checks. Bulgaria joined the Eurozone and adopted the Euro on 1 January 2026. It is a candidate country to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Bulgaria takes an active role in multilateral institutions. It is committed to non-proliferation and responsible export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods, through membership of the Australia Group and other 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 has provided multifaceted support to Ukraine and supports its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including in relation to its territorial waters.

Fast facts

Bulgarian visitors to Australia (year ending 2024)

1,900

Australian resident returns from Bulgaria (2024)

2,610

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 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.

In 2024, the Australian Embassy in Athens donated a collection of books by Australian authors to create an ‘Australia corner’ in the Bulgaria National Library.

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 2024, Australia's two-way goods and services trade with Bulgaria was valued at AUD218.7 million, dominated by imports from Bulgaria (AUD157 million).

In 2024, Australian exports to Bulgaria included wool and other animal hair, electrical machinery and parts, non-ferrous waste and scrap and recreational travel.

Major imports from Bulgaria for the same period included medicaments, recreational travel, fertilisers, power generating machinery and parts.

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. 

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.