"Bulgaria's specific migration experience is that of a Balkan, post-communist country which is a member of the EU. The different stages of Bulgaria's development mark radical changes in the country's migration processes. In 1989, almost overnight, Bulgaria opened up its borders both for entering and exiting the country. The result was that hundreds of thousands of Bulgarians became emigrants but, at the same time, many foreigners were allowed to become part of Bulgarian society. Joiningthe EU was another pivotal moment in terms of migration. The free movement of people was only one part of the ensuing changes, with EU membership gradually raising both the country's desirability and its responsibilities. All of a sudden, Bulgaria became one of the EU's external borders and the problems of migration entered the political domain. Politicians had to face the challenges of increasing diversity in the country but also of managing crises that they had not previously encountered. A case in point is the unprecedented wave of refugees in 2013. It is the dilemmas that Bulgaria faces in view of this migration phenomenon that this article will examine."

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