1940 territorial settlement between the kingdoms of Romania and Bulgaria
The Treaty of Craiova permanently transferred Southern Dobruja from Romania to Bulgaria and remains the only Nazi-mediated territorial settlement not reversed after World War II.
Key Facts
- Signed
- 7 September 1940
- Ratified
- 13 September 1940
- Romanians relocated south to north
- 103,711 people
- Bulgarians relocated north to south
- 62,278 people
- Bulgarian compensation payment
- 1,000,000 lei
- Territory transferred
- Southern Dobruja returned to Bulgaria
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Romania had acquired Southern Dobruja from Bulgaria following the Second Balkan War of 1913, leaving Bulgaria dissatisfied with the border arrangement for decades. Under pressure from Nazi Germany during World War II, Bulgaria sought to reclaim the territory through a negotiated settlement rather than military action.
On 7 September 1940, the Kingdom of Romania and the Kingdom of Bulgaria signed the Treaty of Craiova, under which Romania formally ceded Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria. The treaty also mandated a compulsory population exchange, relocating over 100,000 Romanians northward and over 62,000 Bulgarians southward.
Southern Dobruja was permanently incorporated into Bulgaria and, unlike other Nazi-brokered territorial changes, was not reversed by the Allied powers after World War II. The forced population exchange displaced tens of thousands of people, and Dobrujan Germans affected by the relocations were subsequently transferred to Nazi Germany.
Political Outcome
Romania ceded Southern Dobruja to Bulgaria; compulsory population exchange carried out; settlement made permanent after World War II.
Southern Dobruja held by Romania since the Second Balkan War of 1913.
Southern Dobruja transferred to Bulgaria, a change later confirmed by the post-WWII Allied settlement.