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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - BULGARIA

The European Union has 28 member countries:

Located in the southeast part of the Balkans, Bulgaria has a diverse topography. The north of the country is dominated by the vast lowlands of the Danube Plain with the river Danube defining the border with neighbouring Romania. The south of the country, by contrast, is dominated by highlands and elevated plains while, in the east, the Black Sea coast attracts tourists all year round.

The most important sectors of Bulgaria’s economy in 2014 were industry (23.5 %), wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (21.3 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (13.2 %).

Bulgaria’s main export partners are Germany, Turkey and Italy while its main import partners are Russia, Germany and Italy.

Capital: Sofia

Geographical size: 111 002 km²

Population: 7 245 677 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 1.4 % (2014)

GDP: € 42.011 billion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Bulgarian

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member state since: 1 January 2007

Seats in the European Parliament: 17

Currency: Bulgarian lev BGN

Schengen area member? No, Bulgaria is not a member of the Schengen Area.

Presidency of the Council: Bulgaria will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2018.

Bulgaria in the EU

European Parliament

There are 17 members of the European Parliament from Bulgaria. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Bulgaria

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Bulgarian government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Bulgarian presidencies:

Jul-Dec 2018

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Bulgaria to the European Commission is Kristalina Georgieva, Vice-President for Budget and Human Resources.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Bulgaria

European Economic & Social Committee

Bulgaria has 14 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Bulgaria has 12 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Bulgaria also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representationin Brussels. As Bulgaria's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Bulgaria contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Bulgaria’s finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Bulgaria: € 2.255 billion
Total EU spending as % of Bulgaria’s GNI: 5.50 %
Total Bulgarian contribution to the EU budget: € 0.404 billion
Bulgarian contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI: 0.99 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Bulgaria

The money paid into the EU budget by Bulgaria helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.