Bulgaria has returned a total of 114 illegally staying third-country nationals since the beginning of 2024, the Migration Directorate at the Interior Ministry said. This is an increase of 267% compared to the same period last year, when the number of returned illegal aliens was 31. 

From 1 January to 14 February this year, 158 illegally staying third-country nationals were placed in the directorate's specialised temporary accommodation centres, compared to 242 in the same period last year. 

According to the Directorate's analysis, the tendency is due to the successful implementation of the pilot project undertaken in the last months of 2023 by Bulgaria and the EC to prevent illegal arrivals and strengthen border and migration management. It also reports a decrease in migration pressure in the country.