Minimum Wage in Bulgaria to Rise to 1213 Leva from January 1, 2026: Detailed Overview of Changes

From January 1, 2026, the minimum wage (MW) in Bulgaria amounts to 620.20 euros (1213 leva). This represents an increase of 12.6% compared to the previous year, when the MW was 1077 leva. The decision to increase it was made by a decree of the Council of Ministers (CM).

The minimum hourly wage is also undergoing a change, reaching 3.74 euros (7.31 leva).

The increase in the MW will have a positive impact on the incomes of nearly 600,000 people. In addition, an increase is expected in the salaries of about 83,000 personal assistants, as well as those working in social services, professional foster families, and employees in programs and employment measures funded by the budget.

Another key decision of the CM, taken in September last year, concerns the poverty line, which in 2026 will be 390.63 euros (764 leva). This is an increase of 64.42 euros (19.7%) compared to 2025 (638 leva).

The new poverty line will support vulnerable groups of the population by increasing social benefits and financial support provided under the Social Assistance Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Child Protection Act.

On December 17, the parliament adopted a Law on the collection of revenues and the making of expenditures in 2026, which will be in effect until the adoption of the state budget for 2026, the budget of the State Social Security (SSS) and the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

The extension law regulates the collection of revenues and the making of expenditures until the adoption of the main budgets, but for no more than three months. During its implementation, the rules for currency conversion from the Law on the Introduction of the Euro are applied. Until the adoption of the SSS budget, the revenues and expenditures will be made in accordance with the parameters in force on December 31, 2025.

The MPs also voted for a one-time indexation of wages in the amount of the accumulated annual inflation as of December 31, 2025, for all in the budgetary sphere who are not on the minimum wage.