Is Bulgaria Safe for Women? Crime Rate in Bulgaria
Safety rating
Women living in Bulgaria consider the safety level to be relatively high, with an overall safety rating of 3.8 out of 5.
Crime rating
Women living in Bulgaria consider the crime rate to be relatively low, with an overall crime rating of 1.9 out of 5.
Violence rating
On average 18.3% percentage of women in Bulgaria have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.
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Crime & Safety Statistics
Based on 66 experiences
Safety rating: | 3.8/5 | Safe |
Safety walking alone after dark: | 3.4/5 | Moderate |
Safety using public transport: | 4.2/5 | Safe |
Crime rate: | 1.9/5 | Low |
Worries of being sexually harassed: | 2/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped: | 1.6/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being physically attacked: | 1.7/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of home broken and things stolen: | 1.4/5 | Not at all worried |
Worries of being mugged or robbed: | 1.7/5 | A bit worried |
Worries of being kidnapped or murdered: | 1.3/5 | Not at all worried |
How safe is Bulgaria?
Darie
Blagoevgrad
My home town is safe. Crime happens very rarely and when it happens it goes mainstream in the town. People aren't that open-minded and there are sexist remarks made by uneducated young men from time to time. Although the town is small, an American university lies here and is filled with students from all over the world. They are great to talk to, they are understanding, polite and open to new ideas.
Posted: April 16, 2025Darie
Sofia
It's the capital city, there is certain crime, but in my experience not very high. For the most part me, my sister and my cousin have been harassed by romani people and that's it. It's seldom, but still I keep an eye out.
Posted: April 16, 2025Stara Zagora
Stara Zagora is generally safe for everyone, especially women and girls. I've read somewhere that this is one of the safest cities in Bulgaria (though I could be wrong). Public transport is very safe and I've ridden the bus alone since 6th grade to school. Unfortunately they're sometimes big groups of boys between 14 and 20 years old that have their hoods on even if it's 30°C outside and sometimes when they see kids walking alone their age, they come up to them and start harassing them. I think it's just a trend because I see less and less of these people, but I suggest paying attention to big companies of boys all in black, predominantly dressed in Nike branded clothing, roaming around the city centre. Aside from that, I feel very safe in the city, especially where I live
Posted: April 15, 2025
Simona
Shumen
It's safe place but there are some windows and places that arre dangerous like Trulia, and there are quite allot of idiot's that try to flirt with you, but you just ignore them, most people just mind their buisness
Posted: April 13, 2025
Katrin
Plovdiv
I would say when it is light outside you are safe. After it gets dark outside, yeah no I would not recommend staying out. And if you do enjoy the nightlife, make sure to not be alone or with strangers.
Posted: April 13, 2025Sofia
I’ve been to Sofia for 5 months (today is 10th of April), so I dont know much. Since I came I am trying my best to avoid “bad neighbourhoods” like Lyulin etc. The worst things that happened to me were: 1. A man tried to touch my butt without being noticed on escalators before a friend of mine pushed him. 2. On the first of the year, in an almost empty tram, a man took off his pants and underwear looking at me. Overall men have been treating me nicely always trying to help and being kind.
Posted: April 10, 2025
Elora
Sofia
If you stay around the city centre it’s moderately safe. Around the end districts it gets more dangerous but it’s still relatively safe. You can expect catcalling from construction workers but they won’t touch u. Boys are tolerable in general.
Posted: April 9, 2025
Lina
Blagoevgrad
It is a safe city, but it can become dangerous on weekends when people go to the clubs and get waisted. I have walked home alone after a night out and have gotten home safely without anyone bothering me, but it really depends on the situation. If you don’t hang out normally around 3am on a Friday night then you have nothing to worry, and if you do i would just keep an eye out.
Posted: March 17, 2025Sofia
The city center and the places around it are very safe. However I wouldn't go to Lulin for example. There isn't anything to see in the districts that are further away anyway so I would stay in region of the center regardless.
Posted: March 15, 2025Sofia
Sofia is a modern city, has all the components to provide a safe and enjoyable travel, the public transport in the city center is amazing, although if you wish to go out of the capital I strongly recommend renting a car. Public places are accommodated to the peoples needs, the city is relatively clean and cheap, there isn’t much of a night life, but there are so amazing bars that should definitely be visited. People are mostly open to landing a hand if needed, however, the old generations don’t speak much foreign languages, so if you need the help of the locals, i suggest asking the youth
Posted: March 10, 2025Safety in Bulgaria
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulgaria safe?
Is Bulgaria safe to walk alone at night?
Is public transport safe in Bulgaria?
What is the crime rate in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of being sexually harassed in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of being physically attacked in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of burglary in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in Bulgaria?
What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in Bulgaria?
