site.btaGovernment "Remains Focused" on Recovery Plan Reforms and Investments

Bulgaria will continue implementing its national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), focusing on completing the remaining reforms and investments to secure the full amount of EU funding and deliver long-term benefits for citizens and businesses, the government said on Friday.

The statement followed the European Commission's transfer of EUR 896 million to Bulgaria under the fourth RRP payment. Following the Commission's positive assessment, 23 of the 26 milestones and targets included in the payment request were considered fulfilled, the government press service said.

This is Bulgaria's first payment under the RRP in 2026, bringing the total amount received under the plan to EUR 4.169 billion, or 68% of the country's total allocation under the RRP.

The completed milestones include reforms in anti-corruption legislation, vocational education and training, the establishment of a National Decarbonization Fund, and legislation promoting electric mobility and low-emission zones in Sofia and Plovdiv. They also cover investments in digitalization, cybersecurity for small and medium-sized enterprises, and digital public services, the government said.

Two of the three outstanding measures have been proposed for renegotiation with the European Commission. They concern the integrated transport ticketing reform and the water and sanitation sector. The remaining measure relates to final payments under the National Culture Fund and is close to completion, according to the government.

It added that Bulgaria expects to receive the remaining EUR 109 million withheld under the third payment request in the coming weeks after completing the remaining judicial reform related to the Prosecutor General.