Bulgaria's government spent €3.669bn more than it took in by the end of September, Finance Ministry data show. That is 2.8% of forecast GDP and matches the ministry's estimate from early last month.
The deficit is on a cash basis, so it counts money that actually came into and left the treasury. At the end of August it was €3.075bn, or 2.4% of GDP. It grew by about €590m in a single month.
By the end of September the state had spent €37.567bn, including Bulgaria's payment to the EU budget. That is 66.1% of the full-year plan, against €33.650bn a year earlier. Social and health insurance payments, including pensions, rose fastest. So did spending on investment and staff.
The ministry says the rise comes from pension increases under the so-called Swiss rule on 1 July 2025 and 1 July 2026, and from a higher minimum wage since January 2026. In January, wages went up by 5%, the inflation built up over 2025. More money is also going to projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the Municipal Investment Programme.
Spending before debt interest was €35.734bn, or 65.9% of the plan. That is €3.521bn (10.9%) more than a year earlier. Current spending was €31.290bn, while capital spending, together with the net increase in the state reserve, reached €4.420bn. Transfers abroad were €24.0m. Interest payments were €974.5m, up €289.8m, and already make up 92% of the amount planned for the whole year.
Revenue, grants and donations brought €33.898bn into the treasury. That is 68.3% of the annual plan and €3.344bn, or 10.9%, more than in the same period of 2025. Taxes and social security contributions raised €27.201bn, which is 70.8% of the plan and 80.2% of all revenue. In nominal terms they rose 9.9%, or €2.451bn.
Non-tax revenue from fees, dividends, concessions and sales of greenhouse gas emission quotas was €4.051bn. That is 70% of the plan but €609.3m less than a year earlier. The ministry blames a smaller dividend from state-owned companies, which paid an interim dividend for the 2025 financial year during 2025. Grants and donations, mainly money from EU funds, came to €2.646bn, up €1.502bn.
On 30 September the fiscal reserve stood at €8.478bn. Deposits at the Bulgarian National Bank and other banks were €6.565bn. Another €1.912bn is owed by EU funds for certified spending, advances and other items.
Central government debt at the end of September was €37.416bn, or 28.7% of GDP, the ministry's monthly bulletin shows. It rose by €169.0m from August, mainly because of new government securities sold on the local market.