site.btaNSSI Endorses 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill amid Opposition from Employers, Trade Unions

The Supervisory Board of the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) approved the 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill at a meeting in Sofia, NSSI reported on Wednesday. The bill reflects the parameters of the social insurance policies planned for the next year.

Exercising their powers under the Social Insurance Code, the members of the Board reviewed the legislative amendments included in the document and supported the proposed changes, the statement further noted.

The draft law is yet to be coordinated by the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation, adopted by the Council of Ministers, and finally voted on by the National Assembly.

"In the 2026 Public Social Insurance Budget Bill, there is no ambition whatsoever to combat the grey economy through the minimum social insurance income by economic activity and professional group," NSSI Supervisory Board Chair Assia Goneva told journalists.

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) Vice President Todor Kapitanov said he voted against the bill. "For us, it is unacceptable to have a reduction in the minimum wage," he pointed out. According to him, this is contrary to the law. "This is scandalous; CITUB and Podkrepa Confederation of Labour will organise a protest on Friday," he further commented.

"The draft budget is utterly unacceptable," announced Bulgarian Industrial Association Vice President Mariya Mincheva. "We wanted to avoid resorting to the easiest measure to apply – namely, increasing the social insurance contribution, without knowing what goal we are setting. The maximum social insurance income is also being raised, so we cannot support such a budget," she commented.

"We did not support the first budget in euros, as it seriously harms employers," commented Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association Deputy Chair Kiril Boshov. "We do not agree with the increase in the maximum social insurance income, which exceeds the medium-term forecast," he added.