site.btaParliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Religion Approves 2026 State Budget Bill at First Reading

The Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Religion approved the 2026 State Budget Bill at first reading on Wednesday. Six MPs voted in favour, one voted against, and two abstained.

At the start of the meeting, Finance Ministry expert Ivaylo Tanev presented the bill. According to him, the increases planned in the 2026 budget that directly affect religious denominations include a rise in the minimum wage from EUR 551 to EUR 605. An increase of two percentage points in the pension insurance contribution rate is also planned. The maximum social insurance income will be set at EUR 2,352. Tanev said that no increase in the state subsidy for religious denominations is envisaged for 2026.

“A two-point increase covering personnel and operational costs is planned,” said Elka Bozhova, Chair of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination.

“We are requesting that the funds we have so far received through European Commission projects be provided to us under the state budget, as those projects have now ended,” said Nikola Kazakov, Deputy Chair of the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers. “The total amount is approximately EUR 10,917,100,” he added.