Bulgaria’s administrative structure reflects its long history, unitary form of government, and strong central authority. Designed to balance local governance with national oversight, the system has evolved over time to meet political and economic needs.

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Bulgaria as a Unitary State

Bulgaria is a unitary state, meaning that all administrative power ultimately flows from the central government. Unlike federal systems, regional authorities do not have independent constitutional powers. Instead, they operate within a framework defined and supervised by the national government.

Since the late 19th century, the country’s territorial organization has changed several times. The number of administrative units has varied from as few as seven to as many as 26, reflecting different political eras and governance models.

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Evolution of the Modern Administrative Structure

Between 1987 and 1999, Bulgaria was divided into nine large provinces (oblasti). This system was later replaced as part of broader political and economic decentralization reforms.

The current administrative structure, introduced in the late 1990s, consists of:

• 27 provinces, plus
• Sofia City Province, which has a special metropolitan status

Each province is named after its administrative capital, reinforcing the link between regional governance and local urban centers.

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Provinces of Bulgaria

Today, Bulgaria is divided into 28 provinces (oblasti) in total. These provinces serve as the main territorial units for state administration.

List of Provinces:

• Blagoevgrad
• Burgas
• Dobrich
• Gabrovo
• Haskovo
• Kardzhali
• Kyustendil
• Lovech
• Montana
• Pazardzhik
• Pernik
• Pleven
• Plovdiv
• Razgrad
• Ruse
• Shumen
• Silistra
• Sliven
• Smolyan
• Sofia Province
• Sofia City (metropolitan province)
• Stara Zagora
• Targovishte
• Varna
• Veliko Tarnovo
• Vidin
• Vratsa
• Yambol

Each province is headed by a regional governor, who is appointed directly by the Council of Ministers, emphasizing the centralized nature of the Bulgarian state.

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Municipalities: The Local Level of Governance

Below the provincial level, Bulgaria is divided into 265 municipalities. Municipalities are the primary units of local self-government and are responsible for services such as:

• Local infrastructure
• Education and cultural institutions
• Municipal planning and development

Each municipality is governed by:

• A mayor, elected for a four-year term
• A municipal council, also directly elected by residents

Despite these elected bodies, municipalities rely heavily on central government funding, which limits their financial independence.

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Centralization and State Control

Although Bulgaria has elected local authorities, it remains a highly centralized state. The national government:

• Appoints provincial governors
• Controls major funding streams
• Exercises strong oversight over regional and municipal administrations

This model aims to maintain national cohesion and policy consistency, but it also shapes ongoing debates about decentralization and local autonomy.

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Bulgaria’s administrative divisions form a structured hierarchy designed to combine local representation with strong central governance. With 28 provinces and 265 municipalities, the system provides nationwide coverage while keeping key decision-making powers at the national level. As Bulgaria continues to develop economically and politically, discussions around decentralization and local empowerment remain an important part of its administrative future.