Bulgaria has returned more migrants than it has accepted so far this year under the Dublin Agreement.
Meanwhile, the country’s winter tourism numbers are up over 5% compared to last season.
Bulgaria exceeds migrant acceptance quota
Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov revealed in a recent Facebook Q&A session that Bulgaria has sent more migrants to their home countries than it has taken in since the start of 2023.
He mentioned that Bulgaria sends back about the same number of migrants as it allows to enter, as per agreements like the Dublin Regulation.
In the past year, Bulgaria sent back at least 113 people to Austria, showing that the country consistently upholds its policies on migration.
A recent charter flight brought 18 refugees from Austria back to Bulgaria. This shows how complex it can be to organize and handle migrant groups.
Winter tourism registrations grow over 5%
Bulgaria’s winter tourism sector saw over 5% more registrations this season compared to last year’s numbers.
The growth was fueled by more visitors from Italy and 8% more Bulgarian nationals touring their own country.
The most popular winter destination was Bansko, with over 86,700 registrations.
Samokov and areas like Smolyan and Chepelare also saw double-digit increases in tourists versus the previous season.
However, registrations from Israel decreased by almost 70% due to ongoing difficulties in attracting visitors from that country.
Bulgaria receives support for Schengen, Eurozone bids
Bulgaria is working hard to reduce illegal immigration and boost its tourism industry, which is good news as it gets ready to join the Schengen Area.
At the Munich Security Conference meetings, Prime Minister Denkov announced that Bulgaria has received strong support to switch to the euro currency by its goal of January 1st, 2025.
However, the country still faces opposition to Schengen Zone access from Austria over land borders.
Denkov said Bulgaria will keep negotiating with Austria to lift the final objection to full Schengen membership.
In June 2023, Bulgaria began talks to introduce the euro alongside its national currency.
Bulgaria’s actions on EU visitors, prospective immigrants
Bulgaria’s position on immigration and its access to the Schengen Area could affect both tourists and people wanting to move to the European Union (EU) in several ways.
Tighter border checks could make it harder for families, investors, remote workers, and students from non-EU countries who are planning long-term stays.
Full Schengen inclusion would ease movement across Bulgaria’s land borders.
The path to Schengen could also speed up Bulgaria’s implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) by its scheduled launch in 2025.
As an EU information system, ETIAS aims to pre-screen visa-exempt country travelers and bolster security.
How Bulgaria proceeds on migration and borders will likely influence future ETIAS implementation.
Bulgaria and its commitment to EU immigration policy
Bulgaria is showing its dedication to European Union rules like the Dublin Regulation, which deals with how asylum applications are processed, by being firm about migrant returns and quotas.
As the country explains the importance of opening its land borders, it is essentially making its case for proper immigration control under the Schengen framework.
If Bulgaria becomes a full member of the Schengen Zone, it would need to follow the same immigration rules as other EU countries in that area.
Its recent actions demonstrate an effort to get migration numbers under control as a prerequisite to Schengen entry.
Bulgaria pursues migrant, tourism, integration goals
As Bulgaria moves forward with its plans to join the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, it is also dealing with challenges like handling migrant arrivals and dealing with an increase in tourism during the winter months.
Denmarkov emphasized that Bulgaria is emphasizing the need to open its land borders, citing progress made in addressing migration issues.