Defense Budget 2026: 2.708 Billion Euros

Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov announced that the budget of his entrusted ministry for 2026 will amount to 2.708 billion euros. The information was shared during a meeting of the parliamentary defense committee. The people's representatives are to pronounce on the draft law for the state budget for the year in question on first reading.

In his speech, Minister Zapryanov stressed that defense spending will reach 2.25% of the gross domestic product (GDP). This underlines the importance that is given to the defense sector.

Within the framework of the draft law, it is provided that defense expenditures for 2026 will be in the amount of 2.657 billion euros, and an additional 51 million euros are provided for financing state military high schools. A significant sum – 1.434 billion euros, is allocated for personnel. Capital expenditures are estimated at 946 million euros, which likely reflects plans for modernization and investment in defense infrastructure.

The government press service announced that the draft budget for 2026, along with the drafts for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and for state social security (SSS), has been submitted to parliament. The submitter of these key documents for the state is the executive power.