Concerns regarding social protection in the 2026 Budget
Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva has submitted a critical opinion to the National Assembly regarding the draft state budget and the State Social Insurance budget for 2026. According to her, the budgetary decisions could seriously affect the standard of living of the most vulnerable groups in Bulgaria.
"Fiscal policy must not come at the expense of social protection," Delcheva stated firmly.
Key highlights in the Ombudsman's opinion:
- Pension system: It is insisted that the minimum pension be linked to the poverty line, taking into account inflation and the effect of adopting the euro.
- Support for children: The lack of an annual adjustment of benefits for children with disabilities leads to an inability to access vital rehabilitation.
- Children's hospital: Delcheva alerts that the three-year budget forecast lacks funds for the construction of a national children's hospital after 2028.
- Social benefits: The freezing of the one-time allowance for students (300 BGN) and maternity benefits causes serious concern.
Financial parameters of the budget
The 2026 draft budget provides for a deficit of 5.7% of GDP. Revenues of 49.6 billion euros against expenditures of 56.8 billion euros raise the question of the sustainability of social payments without automatic mechanisms for income increases.