site.btaParliament Adopts 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill at First Reading

Parliament Thursday adopted at first reading the draft public social insurance budget for 2026 with 129 votes in favor, 89 against, and no abstentions. The deadline for proposals on the bill before the second reading was shortened to four days.

The 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill was supported by GERB-UDF, MRF - New Beginning, BSP - United Left, There Is Such a People, and four independent MPs. Against were Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, Vazrazhdane, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, and Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh), while Velichie did not participate in the vote.

Under the bill, EUR 13,421 billion has been earmarked for the payment of all types of pensions and supplements in 2026, accounting for 11.3% of Bulgaria's projected gross domestic product. This is EUR 1,097 billion, or 8.9%, more than in 2025. 

The bill projects the average monthly pension in Bulgaria next year at EUR 541.20, which is an increase by 8.5% in nominal terms. From July 1, 2026, all pensions granted by the end of 2025 will be adjusted in accordance with the Swiss rule by 7% to 8%. From the same date, the minimum pension for contributory income and old age will increase from EUR 322.37 to EUR 346.87 for people with a full social insurance record. The maximum monthly amount of one or more pensions received will remain at the 2025 level of EUR 1,738.40.  

From January 1, 2026, onward, the minimum insurance income for self-insured persons will be EUR 620,20. From the same date, the maximum social security income for all insured persons will be EUR 2,352.

The minimum daily amount of unemployment benefits will remain at EUR 9.21, as will the maximum daily amount of EUR 54.78.

The maternity benefits for raising a child up to 2 years of age, as well as for raising a child up to 8 years of age by the father (adoptive parent), will increase from January 1, 2026, from EUR 398.81 to EUR 460.17. It is envisaged that the amounts of benefits for non-use of maternity and paternity leave, for the adoption of a child up to 5 years of age and for raising a child up to 2 years of age will increase from 50% to 75% of the allowance received during the leave.

The opposition described the bill as leftist and pro-inflation, and demanded that the increase in social insurance contributions and the maximum social insurance income be scrapped. The BSP - United Left and the MRF - New Beginning defended the draft budget, pointing out that it guarantees and progressively builds on the social insurance rights of Bulgarian citizens. The Alliance for Rights and Freedoms and Vazrazhdane raised the issue of increasing unemployment benefits in next year's draft budget.

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov commented at the end of the debate that a better budget is certainly possible, but this is the feasible one. Maternity benefits for the second year are increasing after three years of being frozen, he said, noting that the BSP had fulfilled this promise. Gutsanov reported that the draft budget for 2026 included an increase in pensions according to the so-called Swiss rule, which has not always been observed in recent years. "I would like to see more for unemployment benefits, and I hope that in the next budget I will be able to tell you that we have increased this as well," the Minister added.