Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria is the most preferred country in Europe for starting a new life abroad

Photo: Facebook / Sketches of Sofia

According to a ranking by company "William Russell", which insures the so-called "expats"- people who, for various reasons, do not live in their home country—Bulgaria ranks No 1 in Europe as a desired destination for those looking to start a new life abroad. South Korea ranks first among the ten countries with the highest increase in emigrant population since 1990.

South Korea’s expat population soared from 43,000 in 1990 to more than 1.7 million in 2020. Bulgaria is fourth overall and top in Europe thanks to an increase in expat numbers from 21,000 in 1990 to 184,000 in 2020. Behind Bulgaria are Spain, Serbia, Malta, Iceland, Finland and Turkiye. ''William Russell'' clarifies that the ranking is not based on the absolute number of "expats", but rather tracks the highest growth over the last 30 years, the BNR's correspondent  in London Veselin Paunov reported.




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

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM