Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Civilians in Bulgaria can undergo military training

Photo: BGNES

The Strategic Defence Review will recommend a study on the possibility for civilians to receive military training, interim Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said. 

The latest defence report recommends urgent legislative measures to create conditions for peacetime training of the military reserve. In the period 2010-2020, it decreased by 43% and the trend continues by 5-7% every year. If this rate continues, in 15 years' time Bulgaria's military reserve will be completely exhausted. 
Another problem highlighted in the report is progressive ageing. In 2020, reservists under the age of 35 accounted for only 5% of the total number of reservists, those under 45 years of age accounted for 46% and those over 45 - 49%. 

"We are not in a hurry to propose compulsory training of citizens to defend the Fatherland, as we need an analysis. This will come into the strategic review as a guideline to be further explored," the military minister summed up. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Draft Budget Signals Lower Minimum Wage but Higher Pension Contributions

Bulgaria’s draft social security budget indicates that the minimum wage from 1 January 2026 will be lower than the level set out in the Labour Code , BNR “Horizont” reports. According to sources, the minimum wage will be €605 rather than €620 (BGN..

published on 10/28/25 4:48 PM

The Bulgarian section of the Vertical Gas Corridor to be completed by end of 2026, Energy minister says

Bulgaria’s Vertical Gas Corridor project is on track for completion by the end of 2026 , according to Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov, who stressed that it would help the country maintain its strategic position in South East Europe. Accompanied by..

published on 10/28/25 2:55 PM

Ruling parties agree to rotate parliament speaker

Bulgaria’s coalition parties have agreed to introduce a rotating chairmanship of the National Assembly.  At today’s joint governance council meeting, members also discussed next year’s draft budget.  Kostadin Angelov, Deputy Chairman of..

published on 10/28/25 2:42 PM