π§π¬ Republic of Bulgaria (ΠΡΠ»Π³Π°ΡΠΈΡ)
Visiting: ReasonableLGBT visiting: Take care
Bulgaria is broadly safe, with one or two things to weigh first. There is no conflict at all, ranking 1st, and road deaths are low, at 42nd. Where it lags, though, is LGBT rights, which are limited by a censorship law, placed 112th. Violent crime is rare, freedom is only partly protected and women's safety is fair, with all three ranking between 47th and 71st.
Homicide
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people β lower is better.
Bulgaria: 1.2
Ranked 47th in the world for the lowest homicide rate.
Why this rank?
Just over one killing per 100,000 people a year is a shade outside the line that marks the safest countries.
Is it safe to visit?
No concern for a visitor. Well below the world average.
Road Fatalities
Road-traffic deaths per 100,000 people per year β lower is better.
Bulgaria: 6.9
Ranked 42nd in the world for the safest roads.
Why this rank?
Under seven deaths per 100,000 people a year is low but close to seven and a half, which is half the world average.
Is it safe to visit?
Safe by world standards. Well below the world average.
Why we updated the score?
The WHO's 2021 figure was Bulgaria's own count. The statistics institute has published 2025, the fewest since 2005, so we've used the newer count and the rate drops a band.
Conflict β world number one
Conflict deaths inside the country in the last twelve months, as recorded by the Uppsala conflict database, civilians killed on purpose, and any UN sanctions or court order over a war. The worst of those sets the colour. Lower is better.
Bulgaria: 1.00
Ranked 1st least conflict-affected country in the world.
Why this rank?
Nothing on record. The Uppsala conflict database has never recorded a conflict death in Bulgaria since its records began in 1989.
Is it safe to visit?
Safe. No conflict at home or with neighbours. Its part in the Ukraine war is arms factories, not soldiers.
Freedom
Six freedoms rated 0β4 by Freedom House β protest, speech, press, religion, movement and due process. The weakest rating sets the colour, and the total places the country inside it β higher is better.
Bulgaria: 7.02
Ranked 61st freest country in the world.
Why this rank?
In Bulgaria the lowest are press and due process at 2. Total 19 of 24.
Is it safe to visit?
A multiparty democracy with peaceful handovers, though repeated snap elections and irregularities. Media outlets face pressure from political and business interests, and press and due process are the low ratings.
LGBT Rights
LGBT equality in law and daily life β higher is better.
Bulgaria: Censorship
Ranked 69th least equal in the world for LGBT people.
Why this rank?
Homosexuality is legal, but a 2024 law bans LGBT propaganda in schools and the constitution bars same-sex marriage. There are no partnership rights.
Is it safe to visit?
Take care. LGBT topics are banned from schools and there are no legal protections, so openly LGBT visitors are wise to be discreet.
Women's Safety
Women's safety β feeling safe out at night, political violence against women, a fair hearing in court, and how normal violence at home is, with the night figure setting a floor on the colour β higher is better.
Bulgaria: 7.59
Ranked 71st safest country in the world for women.
Why this rank?
Sixty-four percent of women feel safe out alone at night, no attacks on women are recorded, and partner violence is six percent. The courts, rated below fair for women, are what pull it down.
Is it safe to visit?
A woman travelling alone will find Bulgaria reasonable.