site.btaCabinet Raises Minimum Wage by 12.6% to EUR 620.20 from January 1, 2026

As of January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly wage will be BGN 1,213 (EUR 620.20), the Council of Ministers decided on Thursday. This is an increase by BGN 136 (12.6%) from the current minimum wage, the Government Information Service reported. The minimum hourly wage is set at BGN 7.31 (EUR 3.74). 

The increase will result in a higher income for nearly 600,000 people as well as some 83,000 personal assistants caring for children and adults with disabilities. Also to increase are the incomes of close to 30,000 workers in State-funded social services, professional foster families, as well as everyone employed under employment programmes and measures funded by the state budget.

The new amount of the minimum wage is set in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Code. It is in conformity with one of the possible reference values for adequacy assessment suggested by Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Adequate Minimum Wages in the European Union, whereby the gross minimum wage should be 50% of the gross average wage.

At its extraordinary sitting on Thursday, the Council of Ministers also approved the drafts state budget for 2026.