Minimum Wage 2027: What changes is the Ministry of Social Affairs preparing?

Natalia Efremova: We will not allow the minimum wage to be frozen in 2027

Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova categorically stated that the minimum wage in Bulgaria will be updated as of January 1, 2027. She emphasized that it is not productive to speculate with specific figures before the objective mechanism for its calculation is finalized.

"I will not allow the current level to be maintained when determining it," Efremova was adamant.

Key priorities for income and the labor market:

• Determination mechanism: The government and social partners have already agreed on the criteria for calculating the wage for 2027.
• Investment in qualifications: A sustainable increase in income is only possible in an economy with high added value, based on higher staff qualifications.
• Free training: The Ministry of Social Policy offers various professional qualification programs available to both employed and unemployed persons.

Combating the shadow economy and pension insurance

The Minister emphasized the need to strengthen control over undeclared employment. According to Efremova, building trust in the insurance system is crucial – the more correctly workers are insured today, the more secure their rights will be in the future.

New child protection plan

Within the next week, meetings are scheduled in Plovdiv with the Children's Council. The goal is to develop a specific new action plan to improve the development environment for adolescents and strengthen the structures of the Social Assistance Agency.