Minimum Wage in Bulgaria to Rise to BGN 1,213 from 2026
From January 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Bulgaria will be BGN 1,213 (€620.20), marking a 12.6% increase or BGN 136 compared to the current level. This is outlined in a draft ordinance by the Council of Ministers, published for public consultation by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (MLSP).
The minimum hourly wage will also increase to BGN 7.31 (€3.74) per hour.
The higher minimum wage will affect approximately 600,000 workers, including:
- 456,700 employees on full-time contracts earning the minimum wage;
- around 83,000 personal assistants caring for children and adults with disabilities;
- nearly 30,000 workers in state-funded social services;
- employees under government employment programs and professional foster families.
The new rate is set in accordance with the Labor Code, which stipulates that the minimum wage should be 50% of the average gross wage over the last four quarters – a method consistent with the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages.
Expected effects include reducing in-work poverty, increasing purchasing power, and boosting consumption. The proposed BGN 1,213 aligns with forecasts for GDP growth and labor market developments in Bulgaria.
The draft ordinance will be discussed at the National Tripartite Cooperation Council before being submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval.