Flag of Bulgaria
countryThe flag of Bulgaria was adopted on July 12, 1991. Horizontal tricolour. It uses 3 colours: white, green and red. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Bulgaria |
| Capital | Sofia |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southeast Europe |
| ISO Country Code | BG / BGR |
| Internet Domain | .bg |
| Calling Code | +359 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Bulgarian |
| Demonym | Bulgarian |
| Area | 110,879 km² |
| Population | 6.4 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | July 12, 1991 |
| First Used | 1879 |
| Current Version Adopted | July 12, 1991 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Green, Red |
| Design Type | Horizontal tricolour |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Bulgaria |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Green | #00966E | 0, 150, 110 | 100, 0, 27, 41 | |
| Red | #D62612 | 214, 38, 18 | 0, 82, 92, 16 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents peace and freedom |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents the fertility of the land and agriculture |
| Red colour | Represents the courage and blood of the people |
| Pan-Slavic colours | The Russian tricolour with green replacing blue, marking the country’s farming heritage |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1879 | The design was first used |
| 1991-07-12 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Bulgaria Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Bulgaria
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 35 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | July 12, 1991 |
| Oldest Version | 1879 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Austria, Azerbaijan, Bolivia |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal tricolour |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Bulgaria
- The white, green and red replaced the Russian-influenced white, blue and red in 1879, with green substituted for blue as a distinctly Bulgarian choice.
- A version bearing the state coat of arms in the upper hoist was used under the People's Republic; the plain tricolour was restored in 1990.
- The flag of Bulgaria was officially adopted on July 12, 1991.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1879, 112 years before it was formally made the flag of Bulgaria.
- The flag in its present form is 35 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal tricolour.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 19 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, green and red.
- The white on the flag stands for peace and freedom.
- The green on the flag stands for the fertility of the land and agriculture.
- The red on the flag stands for the courage and blood of the people.
- Pan-Slavic colours: The Russian tricolour with green replacing blue, marking the country’s farming heritage.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Austria, Azerbaijan and Bolivia.
- Bulgaria became independent on 22 September 1908 from the Ottoman Empire.
- Bulgaria was liberated in 1878 and declared full independence in 1908.
- Football is the most popular sport, with wrestling and weightlifting the strongest internationally.
- The national animal is the lion, which appears on the coat of arms.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Bulgaria
When was the flag of Bulgaria adopted?
The flag of Bulgaria was officially adopted on July 12, 1991, though the design had already been in use since 1879.
What do the colours of the flag of Bulgaria mean?
White for peace and freedom, green for the fertility of the land and agriculture and red for the courage and blood of the people.
When did Bulgaria gain independence?
Bulgaria became independent on 22 September 1908 from the Ottoman Empire. Bulgaria was liberated in 1878 and declared full independence in 1908.
What is the national sport of Bulgaria?
Football is the most popular sport, with wrestling and weightlifting the strongest internationally.
What do the symbols on the flag of Bulgaria represent?
Pan-Slavic colours — The Russian tricolour with green replacing blue, marking the country’s farming heritage.
What are the proportions of the flag of Bulgaria?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 19 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Bulgaria?
The national anthem is "Mila Rodino".
When is the national day of Bulgaria?
It falls on 3 March, Liberation Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Bulgaria?
The national animal is the lion, which appears on the coat of arms.
What is the capital of Bulgaria?
The capital is Sofia. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Bulgarian.