- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Until Feb 21, 2023
Until -0001
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors ?
Ranked #58 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(59.6%) Mentioned homosexuals
Did not mention homosexuals (30.7%)
Justifiability of homosexuality ?
Ranked #54 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(65.8%) Not justifiable
Justifiable (7.1%)
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents ?
Ranked #54 out of 74 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(59.7%) Disagree
Agree (10.1%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2019) ?
Ranked #25 out of 34 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
(48%) No
Yes (32%)
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against transgender people (European Union) ?
Ranked #5 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(23%) Widespread
Rare (40%)
Acceptance of same-sex relationships (European Union) ?
Ranked #28 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(71%) Disagree
Agree (20%)
Perceived prevalence of discrimination against sexual orientation (European Union) ?
Ranked #5 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(29%) Widespread
Rare (45%)
Support for transgender people changing legal gender (European Union) ?
Ranked #27 out of 28 regions surveyed. (Source: Eurobarometer, May 2019)
(60%) No
Yes (12%)
Support for same-sex marriage in Central and Eastern Europe ?
Ranked #8 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(79%) Oppose
Favor (18%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2016, Eastern/Central Europe) ?
Ranked #6 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(61%) No
Yes (31%)
By The Numbers
61%
of Orthodox Christians support the Church's position on refusing to perform same-sex marriages
30%
oppose
(Pew Research Center, 2017)
History
Homosexual activity in Bulgaria is legal.
Same-sex marriage in Bulgaria is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only.
Current status
Since Jul 25, 2019
Since Jul 25, 2019
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Marriage is defined as a union between a male and a female in the Bulgarian constitution. However, there is recognition of residence for foreign marriage, but it is a limited recognition.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Bulgaria is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Bulgaria, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Bulgaria is illegal.
Current status
Since Feb 21, 2023
Since Feb 21, 2023
Illegal
Transgender people are now banned from legally changing their gender in Bulgaria, according to the country’s Supreme Court, which issued a ruling that is automatically binding on all other courts.
Until Feb 21, 2023
Legal, but requires surgery
Requires sterilization. Ruled not legal by EU. Changes pending. Missing non binary options on documents.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Bulgaria is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Non-binary options missing
LGBT discrimination in Bulgaria is illegal.
Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Since Sep 30, 2003
Illegal
LGBT employment discrimination in Bulgaria is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Since Sep 30, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
LGBT housing discrimination in Bulgaria is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Sep 30, 2003
Since Sep 30, 2003
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Same-sex adoption in Bulgaria is single only.
Current status
Since Oct 2, 2017
Since Oct 2, 2017
Single only
Legalization pending.
Serving openly in military in Bulgaria is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2004
Since Aug 1, 2004
Legal
Bulgaria provides protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the fields of employment, health care, and education, recruitment to the military, housing, accommodation, and a range of services available to the public
Blood donations by MSMs in Bulgaria is legal.
Current status
Legal
No restrictions about gay sex.
Conversion therapy in Bulgaria is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy in Bulgaria is not banned.
Until -0001
Ambiguous
Unknown.
Equal age of consent in Bulgaria is equal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2002
Since Jan 1, 2002
Equal
LGBT Rights by Region
View the LGBT laws in each individual region of Bulgaria.
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Bulgaria LGBT Organizations
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Common queries:
- Is it illegal to be gay in Bulgaria?
- Is homosexuality legal in Bulgaria?
- Is gay marriage legal in Bulgaria?
Alternative names: Balgarija (local name)
