Draft Budget Signals Lower Minimum Wage but Higher Pension Contributions

Bulgaria’s draft social security budget indicates that the minimum wage from 1 January 2026 will be lower than the level set out in the Labour Code, BNR “Horizont” reports. According to sources, the minimum wage will be €605 rather than €620 (BGN 1,213), which is what would be calculated under the statutory formula.

Meanwhile, the maximum social security income is projected to rise to €2,352, which is an increase on current levels. Contributions to pension funds are set to increase by two percentage points, reaching 21.8% for those born before 1960 and 16.8% for those born in 1960 or later.

According to the draft State Social Security budget for next year, the minimum old-age pension based on work record will amount to €346.87 from 1 July 2026.