Bulgaria

Bulgaria decriminalized homosexuality in 1968 and has broad anti-discrimination since 2004 (EU obligation), but Article 46 of the Constitution (since 1991) defines marriage as man-woman union and blocks any recognition. In February 2023, the Supreme Court of Cassation interpreted that "sex" means only biological, de facto blocking legal gender change. On July 28, 2023, sexual orientation was added as an aggravator for crimes in the Criminal Code. 2024 rollback: August 7, 2024 the parliament approved a rewrite of the schools statute that prohibits the 'promotion' of non-traditional orientations or any gender identity other than biological (effective August 16, signed by President Radev). No conversion therapy ban. GLOBSEC 2023: 21% support marriage, 69% oppose. Sofia Pride in June (police escort) · small scene in Sofia and Plovdiv · 2020: anti-LGBT "cleansing action" with assaulted minors in Plovdiv.

Population 6,4M Capital Sofía Language Bulgarian Currency Euro (EUR)

LGBTQI+ legal framework · Bulgaria

✓

LGBT identity

Legal (1968)

Decriminalized on May 1, 1968 with Penal Code revision · age of consent equalized in 2002 (16 years)

Partnership recognition

No recognition · constitutional ban

Article 46 Constitution (1991) defines marriage as man-woman · no civil unions · same-sex couples without equivalent legal protections

Legal protection

EU anti-discrim 2004 · 2024 propaganda law

2003 Protection Against Discrimination Act (effective Jan 1, 2004): bans discrimination and hate speech by sexual orientation in all areas; gender identity added in 2015. July 28, 2023: sexual orientation added as criminal aggravator. August 2024: schools statute reformed to ban 'promotion' of non-traditional orientations (signed by Radev on the 16th).

Trans rights

Blocked (Supreme 2023)

Supreme Court of Cassation interpretive decision Feb 20, 2023: "sex" means only biological · effectively bans legal gender change since 2023 · significant regression

Conversion therapies

No ban

No specific ban for minors or adults · practices in Orthodox religious circles

Social context · Bulgaria

Social acceptance

Conservative

Conservative · 69% against marriage

GLOBSEC March 2023: 21% support marriage equality, 69% oppose. Post-communist Orthodox with socially conservative attitudes typical of Central-Eastern Europe. Sofia more open.

Source →

Anti-LGBT violence

High

High · "cleansing actions"

Hate crimes against LGBT common, often ignored by authorities. Sept 27, 2020: 14-15 year-old minors assaulted in Plovdiv as anti-LGBT "cleansing action." Sofia Pride requires police escort.

Source →

Indicative data as of 2026-06-02. Check the destination country's official sources before travelling.

Experiences
gay friendly · Bulgaria

Top-booked tours and activities, with instant booking via Viator.

Affiliate links to selected experiences

Recent
LGBT news · Bulgaria

Latest changes — new laws, rulings, events relevant to LGBTQI+ travelers.

AUG 07, 2024 · LEGAL

Anti-LGBT 'propaganda' law in schools

Bulgaria's schools statute was rewritten on Aug 7, 2024 to bar the 'promotion' of non-traditional orientations or non-biological gender identities in classrooms. Signed by President Rumen Radev, the text took effect on the 16th.

MAR 12, 2026 · LEGAL

CJEU: Bulgaria must allow legal gender recognition

On 12 March 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU (Case C-43/24 Shipova) ruled that member states must provide legal gender recognition. The judgment directly overrides Bulgaria's 2023 Supreme Court of Cassation interpretive decision that had blocked gender marker changes.