site.btaNetherlands, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain Top Choices for Bulgarian University Applicants in 2025

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain are among the most popular countries for higher education among Bulgarian university applicants, said Nikolay Hristanov, Higher Education Manager at Integral, during a media event for the autumn edition of the "World Education" expo.

According to Integral's data: 27% of all newly enrolled students choose the Netherlands, followed by Austria with 12%, Spain with 11%. Germany and Italy each with 9%, while the United Kingdom, once the clear leader, now attracts only 8% of applicants.

Bulgarian students continue to show the strongest interest in business and management, computer technologies, economics, and engineering. At the same time, there’s a growing interest in creative fields and programs related to innovation and technology - including artificial intelligence, digital media, and robotics.

“This trend clearly reflects the dynamics of the global labor market, where digital and interdisciplinary skills are becoming increasingly valuable,” Hristanov noted.

He said that over the past five years, applications to British universities have significantly declined due to Brexit and the change in financial conditions for EU students. Despite this, UK higher education still retains undeniable advantages - a wide range of programs and top global university rankings - making it a prestigious but more selective destination.

In contrast, the Netherlands has firmly established itself as a leader, with over 5,400 Bulgarian students enrolled in 2024. Dutch universities are known for affordable tuition fees, a wide portfolio of programs and funding opportunities

This combination keeps them attractive, although the growing number of international students is increasing competition for admission, Integral’s data shows.

Austria is also becoming a more favored option thanks to its low fees, strong focus on practical training, and active participation in educational forums in Bulgaria.

Germany remains a traditional choice for graduates of German-language high schools, many of whom target elite institutions like the Technical University of Munich or Humboldt University in Berlin. An increasing number of German universities now offer English-language programs modeled after the British and American systems.

Spain and Italy combine academic quality, a more affordable cost of living, and cultural advantages, making them preferred destinations for both public and private universities.

Italy is also one of the countries with tuition funding policies based on family income.

In response to the growing interest in higher education abroad—which is already 20% higher at the start of the 2026/2027 campaign—the autumn edition of the "World Education" fair will host over 50 educational institutions from Bulgaria and abroad. Visitors will be able to meet with universities from more than 14 countries, including Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, the UK, Poland, and Slovakia.