A total of 848 third-country nationals attempted to enter Bulgaria illegally in January 2025, marking a 57.2% decrease compared to January 2024, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported citing the Interior Ministry data on this country's migration situation.

The data show that 696 individuals returned to neighbouring countries of their own accord, while 152 people were detained by Bulgarian authorities while attempting to enter. Fifty-three people not registered in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System were detained on their way out of Bulgaria.

Twenty-two migrants were detained for illegal stay in the country, 59.1% of whom were Moroccan. As of January 31, a total of 1,253 people were housed in the State Agency for Refugees camps, while 166 were accommodated by the Interior Ministry’s Migration Directorate.

In January, 112 third-country nationals were returned, including 65 who were sent back forcibly and 18 returned under readmission agreements. Fourteen people left the country voluntarily under compulsory administrative measures, while 15 left voluntarily without such measures, the Interior Ministry data reveal.

Five third-country nationals were transferred to other European Union Member States under the Dublin Regulation.

On January 1, Bulgaria became a full-fledged member of the Schengen area, with border checks at all internal EU borders removed. Border controls remain in place at this country’s borders with the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkiye.