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Bulgaria — Gay Travel Index 2026

54/100
Some caution #61 of 208

Score = Legal 40/60 + Scene 14/40 = 54/100

Bulgaria ranks #61 of 208 countries and territories in the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, with a composite score of 54/100 — a legal safety component of 40/60 and a scene score of 14/40. Updated 2026-08-17 · release 2026.3.

Legal composite — 40/60 points

CriminalizationLegal
Partnership● No (marriage equality)
Anti-discrimination● Partial
Gender recognitionRestricted — heavy barriers (surgery, courts) or rarely granted
Enforcement realityCalm — no active persecution documented

Research note: 2023 SCC ban; 2026 CJEU forced court reopening — GayOut Index 2026.3 legal research (ILGA World / Human Dignity Trust / Rainbow Europe / Equaldex).

Legal composite, five components

Fulfilment per component (100 = maximum). Weights: criminalisation 35% · partnership 20% · enforcement 20% · anti-discrimination 15% · gender recognition 10%.

Scene on the ground — 14/40 points

LGBTQ+ venues listed32
Dedicated gay bars1
Gay saunas1
Gay bars per million0.16
Saunas per million0.16
Events per million1.25
Cities with a scene2
Pride parades1
Queer film festivals0
Coverage gradeA
Scene score14/40 (raw scene index 35/100)

Plan your trip

Explore 13 venues in Bulgaria

Build a day-by-day itinerary with the GayOut Trip Planner

32 venues tracked in the frozen 2026.3 dataset (all categories) · 13 browsable venue pages in the live directory today.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bulgaria safe for gay travellers?

Bulgaria is rated Some caution on the GayOut Gay Travel Index 2026, scoring 54/100 overall with a legal safety component of 40/60. On enforcement reality, no active persecution is documented.

Is same-sex marriage legal in Bulgaria?

No. Same-sex marriage is not legal in Bulgaria. Overall legal status: Legal.

Does Bulgaria have a gay scene?

Yes. GayOut lists 32 LGBTQ+ venues in Bulgaria, including 1 dedicated gay bars, across 2 cities with a scene, and tracks 1 Pride parades there.

Which city in Bulgaria has the biggest gay scene?

Sofia has the largest documented LGBTQ+ scene in Bulgaria, with 12 venues listed in the GayOut directory, followed by Varna (1 venues).

How many gay bars and saunas are there in Bulgaria?

GayOut currently lists 1 dedicated gay bars and 1 gay saunas in Bulgaria, and tracks 1 Pride parades there. Counts exclude venues that are merely gay-friendly.