site.btaNew Poverty Line Stands at BGN 764, Social Policy Minister Says

The Council of Ministers approved the new poverty line, which is now BGN 764, announced Labor and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov at a briefing on Wednesday. This is BGN 126 more than the previous poverty line, or an increase of 19.7%. A pretty significant rise, added Gutsanov. 

The National Council for Tripartite Cooperation met Tuesday to discuss the Government’s proposal to raise Bulgaria’s poverty line to BGN 764 for 2026 - an increase of BGN 126 or 19.7% over the current level of BGN 638.

"These funds are always insufficient. I am well aware that if there could be more, it would be better, but this is the formula. It is the most realistic one. I would like to thank the Prime Minister and my fellow ministers for agreeing to this formula. Five out of six national social partners endorsed it. The only disagreement was with the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria. "The issue is BGN 18, they wanted more, but using a different methodology. The methodology currently adopted is the one approved in 2021 by the Council of Ministers and complies with European requirements," said the Minister of Labor and Social Policy.