Bulgaria’s 2026 social security plan proposes raising pension insurance by two points and the maximum insurable income to 4,600 leva. Pensions will rise up to 8 percent from July. The healthcare budget of 5.3 billion euros includes more hospitalizations, cancer screening programs, and salary increases for doctors.
Representatives from the state, business, and unions are set to vote on proposals to raise pension insurance contributions by two percentage points from January 1, 2026. The maximum insurable income will increase by 470 leva to 4,600 leva, while the minimum, including for self-insured persons, will match the proposed minimum wage of 605 euros. The 2026 social security bill is the first calculated in euros, with revenue projections showing an additional 1.2 billion euros due to higher contributions and income thresholds. These funds will support pension modernization, set to rise between 7 and 8 percent from July 1 under the Swiss rule. The minimum pension will increase from 322 euros to nearly 347 euros, while the pension ceiling will remain at 3,400 leva. Benefits for mothers and unemployment support will stay unchanged. The number of pensioners is expected to grow, with the average pension reaching 541 euros, representing a real increase of 4.8 percent after inflation.
In healthcare, the 2026 budget allocates 5.3 billion euros and projects 2.4 million hospitalizations—300,000 more than in 2025. Spending will rise for medical services, rehabilitation, lab tests, and new cancer gene tests. Screening programs for colon and cervical cancer will start, and hospital doctors’ salaries will be brought in line with sectoral agreements.
1 Bulgarian Leva = 0.51 Euro
