Nearly 22 400 foreigners requested Bulgarian citizenship in 2005, the majority pointing out Bulgarian descent as the reason for the request.

Most applications came from Macedonians and Moldavians, Darik Radio reported. The numbers feature in a report on the migration situation in Bulgaria.

In 2005 nearly 23 million people crossed the Bulgarian border. The majority entered Bulgaria through Turkey and using the Sofia International Airport.

Twelve hundred thousand foreigners received a long-term stay permit. The reason pointed out most often for long-term stay in Bulgaria was studies in Bulgarian universities, business activities and marriage to Bulgarian citizens.

Increasing number of British and Germans requested long-term stay permits, Darik reported.