Designated terrestrial protected areas

Bulgaria has established the large National Ecological Network, comprising Natura 2000 sites (in accordance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives) and national protected areas, with a considerable overlap between the protection categories. By the end of 2023, a significant number of protected areas (including Natura 2000 sites) were designated, covering a total area of 4 176 820 ha of the National Ecological Network (without overlap), 3 894 685 ha of which were terrestrial. Thus, the coverage of the network has reached 35.1% of the national territory. The graph shows that about 40% of Bulgaria’s land area is protected but this is likely to be an overestimation, as it includes state game husbandries reported as ‘other conservation areas’. However, these areas are not currently considered part of Bulgaria’s terrestrial protected areas.

The consistency in the implementation of EU directives and the high sufficiency index demonstrate Bulgaria’s commitment to the protection of its nature and improvement of its biodiversity. The updated national biodiversity strategy is being adopted. Bulgaria is also currently in the process of submitting national pledges to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030.