Bulgaria

Conscription currently imposed?

No

Suspended 2008 by amendment of the Defence and Armed Forces Act. May be reinstated in the event of declaration of state of war, martial law or a state of emergency pursuant to Article 116 of the Act[1]

Conscientious objection first recognised

1991

Constitution, Article 59.2                First implemented under Law for Replacement of Military Service with Alternative Service, 1998

CO release of professional soldiers

–

No specific provisions. Early release may be requested (see below).

Minimum recruitment age

18

 

Population

Total

% males 15-19

Thus approx. annual cohort reaching 18

6,828,000

2.7

36,871

Armed forces

Total strength

Of which conscripts

Compared to annual cohort above

36,950

-

100.2%

Military expenditure

$ (% change from 2022)

Per capita

% of GDP

$1,918m (+33.5%)

$286.8

1.8%

Current situation

Feedback from the state

From the reply of the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence to the EBCO questionnaire.

Bulgaria abolished conscription into obligatory military service in 2008 by amendment of the Defence and Armed Forces Act.

Article 56 of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria Reserves Act, stipulates that Bulgarian students, at the stage of acquiring secondary education, shall undergo training in homeland defence, which contributes to the formation of values and attitudes of patriotism, dignity, duty, honour and responsibility to the country. The training takes place in the 10th and 11th grades within a total of 10 academic hours and intends that the young people acquire knowledge and skills related to homeland defence, military crisis survival skills, and the missions and the tasks of the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces are manned with soldiers on a voluntary basis, and the recruitment of Bulgarian citizens is carried out by conducting a competition. The terms and procedure for being accepted for military service are defined in the Republic of Bulgaria Defence and Armed Forces Act and the Rules on its implementation. In 2023, 729 Bulgarian citizens were accepted for military service as soldiers. The duration of the initial military service contract is 3 years.

– and from the replies for the 2022 Report, but still valid:

Enlistment for military service takes place on the basis of a military service contract … The procedure, terms and conditions regarding the conclusion and termination of such a contract are laid down in the Rules on the Implementation of the Republic of Bulgaria Armed Forces Act. It does not contain provision for the termination of the military service contract on account of “conscientious objection” but it provides an option for an early termination of the military service contract by mutual consent of the parties or through a written notification by the service member.

 

[1] https://ebco-beoc.org/sites/ebco-beoc.org/files/attachments/2023-01-31-Bulgaria-gov-reply.pdf