The government has approved a draft amendment and supplement to the Criminal Code (CC), which proposes that violations of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union (EU), as well as their circumvention, be classified as serious crimes. The information was announced by the government press office, which explained that the proposed amendments provide for the sanctioning of these acts not only with imprisonment but also with significant fines and the possibility of deprivation of rights.

The proposed changes to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria fully transpose the requirements of Directive (EU) 2024/1226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 24, 2024. The deadline for implementing the directive expired on May 20, 2025, and due to Bulgaria's failure to comply, the European Commission has already initiated an infringement procedure against the country.

The draft provides for the creation of a new chapter in the CC, titled "Crimes Against Restrictive Measures of the European Union." It includes a number of specific acts. The new crimes cover:

  • violations of measures related to the freezing of funds or economic resources;
  • violations of restrictions on the entry of certain persons into the territory of a member state (travel bans);
  • violations of prohibitions on or restrictions against concluding or continuing transactions in any form, including public procurement contracts and concessions;
  • violations of prohibitions on providing financial services or carrying out financial activities such as financing, investments, investment services, and accepting deposits;
  • the provision of non-financial services, such as legal advice, accounting, auditing, and trust management.

The bill also provides for the criminalization of the circumvention of EU restrictive measures. A typical example of such behavior is the practice of sanctioned individuals or companies transferring their funds or economic resources to third parties. In accordance with the directive, a threshold of 10,000 euros is introduced – violations of restrictions related to financial funds, economic resources, goods, or transactions below this value will not constitute crimes.

The government press office emphasized that the law provides for important exceptions. The provision of humanitarian aid that is in accordance with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence will not be considered a crime. Lawyers who provide defense or represent clients in criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings, as well as those who provide legal information regarding the initiation or avoidance of such proceedings, will also not fall under the "scope of the law," the press office explained.

We recall that at the end of July, the government also proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code aimed at accelerating criminal proceedings.