"I Choose Bulgaria" Offers Returning Bulgarians a Fresh Start in Smaller Towns

For the hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians living abroad, the question of whether to stay or go home is rarely simple. A Bulgarian government program called "I Choose Bulgaria" is trying to make the answer a little easier, and a little more financially realistic.

BNR reports that around 1,170 Bulgarians who have already returned from abroad will have the opportunity to settle in smaller communities alongside their families, supported by the program's latest component. So far, nearly 2,000 compatriots have found employment in Bulgaria through the initiative overall.

What the Program Actually Offers

The newly activated Component 2 of "I Choose Bulgaria" comes with a budget of 15 million euros. Its focus is on municipalities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, places that often struggle to attract and retain workers while larger cities absorb most of the country's returning talent.

The financial support is practical and concrete. Those who take up work in a qualifying smaller settlement can receive a one-time grant of up to 480 euros to cover moving costs, plus a monthly housing subsidy of up to 207 euros for up to one year. Travel costs to a workplace located outside the settlement are also covered. Additional incentives are planned for people who remain employed in the same location over a longer period, rewarding commitment rather than just initial relocation.

The program also has an employer-facing side. Businesses in smaller municipalities that have struggled to fill positions can receive support, addressing one of the quieter but persistent problems in rural Bulgaria: jobs exist, but the workforce has moved away.

Applications are handled through the website of the Bulgarian Employment Agency at www.az.government.bg.

Why This Matters If You Are Living Abroad

Western context: Bulgaria has one of the highest emigration rates in the European Union, having lost roughly 2 million people to emigration since the 1990s, with many settling across Germany, the UK, Spain and beyond.

For diaspora Bulgarians weighing a return, the conversation usually stalls at the practical level: where do I live, can I afford it, will I find work? This program does not answer all of those questions, but it does address the most immediate financial friction of the first year back. The focus on smaller municipalities is also worth noting. It reflects a real policy priority, since Bulgaria's rural depopulation has become one of its most pressing long-term challenges. Returning emigrants who settle outside Sofia or Plovdiv would be going precisely where they are most needed.

If you or someone you know is considering the move, the Employment Agency's website is the official starting point. The subsidy amounts are modest by Western European standards, but in a smaller Bulgarian town they can meaningfully reduce the stress of starting over.