Bulgaria - Commercial Guide
Bulgaria Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in bulgaria, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Safety and Security
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Bulgaria fully joined the EU Schengen area in 2025 and as EU member state continues to make safety and security top national priorities. The Ministry of Interior, Border Police, Ministry of Finance, and the Customs Agency are investing in stronger border management and information-sharing systems for both internal and external EU borders. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has amplified these needs, accelerating security upgrades and closer cooperation with EU and NATO partners. 

For the EU program period 2021–2027, Bulgaria is expected to receive approximately USD 34.6 billion for various programs. Roughly USD 600 million is earmarked for security and homeland-infrastructure projects to strengthen border-control and information exchange. Maintaining and upgrading the 240 km fence on the Turkish border (estimated USD 100 million) remains a priority for Bulgarian and EU security. 
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection continue to work with Bulgarian Border Police to improve border checks and provide high-level intelligence support alongside Interpol, the FBI and Bulgarian authorities. 

Defense Spending

Bulgaria’s defense spending in 2022 was almost USD 1.4 billion (1.54% of GDP). In 2023 it increased to USD 1.87 billion (1.85% of GDP). By 2024, consolidated defense expenditure rose to approximately USD 2.33 billion (just over 2% of GDP). In 2025, the budgetary trend remains positive, with major acquisitions and NATO commitments. Key acquisitions include first F-16 deliveries (April 2025); formal approval for Javelin anti-tank systems (~USD 82.7 million, March 2025); and the ongoing Stryker armored vehicle program (~USD 1.5 billion multi-year).

A substantial part of Bulgaria’s fleet requires modernization because of past low spending levels for maintenance and innovation. Bulgaria has been pursuing closer ties with the United States, aiming to reduce its reliance on Russian suppliers for arms and maintenance, repair, and operations services. It has opened to Western alternatives, centered on combined arms maneuver warfare, which will increase Bulgaria’s capacity to participate in NATO missions. As a result, Bulgaria formed and equipped two mechanized brigades as its primary warfighting formations.

Ministry of Interior – Public Safety & Budgets 

In 2024–2025, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) expanded its public-safety portfolio and received significant budget top-ups. Core MoI functional lines in the 2025 budget amount to approximately USD 2.29 billion. Additional allocations included USD 11 million for migration and border pressures and USD 17.9 million for an electronic ID/personal documents system. Salary increases for police and firefighters (basic pay increases to USD 1,270/month for lower ranks) aim to stabilize staffing and improve operational readiness.

Traffic Safety

Bulgaria ranks among the top in EU countries for traffic accidents. The Traffic Safety Fund (TSF) collected USD 190 million between 2021 and 2024, with USD 63 million already spent on equipment, training, and materials. Major procurements include USD 15.4 million for stationary and mobile speed cameras, USD 6.7 million for high-risk pedestrian crossings, and USD 84 million for police vehicles. Legislative changes in 2025 enabled municipalities and toll-system cameras to be used for speed enforcement, including average-speed monitoring, with 50% of fines revenue retained locally. These measures aim to reduce fatalities, which fell 9% from 2023 to 2024.

Large and mid-sized cities continue to expand video surveillance. Sofia anow operates more than 3,000 cameras covering pedestrian areas, intersections, and traffic zones, with police vehicles being progressively equipped with built-in video systems.

Customs Agency – X-ray and Security Projects 

The Bulgarian Customs Agency launched the Bulgarian Integrated X-ray Information System (BIRIS), centralizing data from non-intrusive inspection (NII) scanners. EU financing under the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI) funds new scanners and image-analysis systems. Projects to equip up to 18 checkpoints have been launched, though some tenders were annulled or re-tendered, slowing rollout. In July 2024, the EU also allocated €20 million (USD 22M) to enhance sea-border surveillance (radars, thermovision, sensors). These initiatives strengthen Bulgaria’s border control and customs enforcement capabilities.

Market Forecasts & Cybersecurity

Bulgarian security market revenue is expected to grow 17% annually, reaching USD 20.7 million in 2026 and potentially USD 1.61 billion by 2030. The largest spending categories remain: 44% for First Responders, 32.5% for Security Infrastructure, and 13.3% for Border Security. Smaller but rising segments include Critical National Infrastructure (6.1%), Transport Security (1.7%), Major Events (1.5%), and Central Government Security (0.9%). 

The Bulgarian defense market continues to focus on military land vehicles, naval vessels and surface combatants, fixed-wing aircraft, submarines, missiles and missile defense, electronic warfare, tactical communications, naval engines, artillery, UAVs, radar, simulation & training, and intelligence-navigation systems.

Cybersecurity remains a national priority. Bulgaria’s strong IT base and numerous R&D centers attract significant cybercrime activity. Nearly 57% of Bulgarian organizations report cyberattacks monthly or more, and overall attacks against businesses have risen 20%. Bulgaria signed a memorandum of understanding with NATO to strengthen international collaboration on cyber defense and continues implementing its “Cyber Resilient Bulgaria 2020” strategy, harmonized with EU law.

The Ministry of E-Governance has stepped up prevention efforts since 2023, cooperating with Western partners and investing in new defensive measures in response to cyberattacks against state institutions.
Financial institutions remain top investors in IT security. Surveys show 67% of Bulgarian banks and insurers plan to increase spending on cybersecurity and customer service automation.

Opportunities

Current opportunities include upgrades to public safety and traffic safety, disaster-response systems, intelligent transport systems, UAV management, and expanded border and customs infrastructure (including X-ray scanning, MR, infrared, CCTV, and access-control technologies).

Leading Sub-sectors

Bulgaria continues upgrading external borders and integrating with the Schengen Information System (SIS). Priority opportunities include:
•    X-ray scanning and MR equipment
•    Infrared surveillance (mobile & stationary)
•    IP video systems
•    Access control equipment and CCTV
•    Cybersecurity software, AI-enabled monitoring, and identity management systems

Security Companies

There are over 3,200 registered security companies in Bulgaria (1,090 with national licenses, 2,110 with regional licenses). Most are SMEs offering monitoring, patrol, and installation services. Some of the leading security companies belong to the National Association of Trade Security and Security Companies, NAFTSO, including VIP Security, Bodu, SOD and SOT-161. NAFTSO is a non-profit association of Bulgarian security companies that employ over 22,400 people (37.1 percent of private security employees).

Local production of security equipment is limited to parts and accessories for optics and camera parts, telephones and installations, metal detectors, safe deposit boxes, intercoms, sirens, control panels, control alarm systems, electronic locking systems for elevators; electronic locking systems for external doors inputs, TV systems for day/night surveillance, systems for perimeter and outside perimeter guarding, cameras and lenses, communication cables, fire detectors, equipment and parts for access control, signaling devices and production of protective clothing with special purpose – fireproof, antistatic, water and oil-proof, wind-proof and aggression-proof.

Trade Events

HEMUS – INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES EXHIBITION HEMUS 2026 - defense & security exhibition showcasing land, air, and naval systems, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. 

Web Resources

U.S. Commercial Service Sofia Contact Information:
Name: Peter Delin
Position: Commercial Specialist
Email: peter.delin@trade.gov
Phone: +359-2-939-5784

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