22/07/2026 Parliament adopted at second reading the bills on the budgets of the State Social Security and the National Health Insurance Fund for 2026

Parliament adopted the bill on the State Social Security (SSS) budget for 2026 at second reading. The total amount of revenues and transfers received under the SSS budget for 2026 is EUR 15.265 billion, including transfers received from the central budget in the amount of EUR 6.745 billion to cover the shortfall.

In 2026, EUR 13.503 billion are planned for the payment of all types of pensions and their supplements, which is EUR 1.179 billion more than in 2025.

In 2026, women working under Category 3 working conditions will be eligible to retire if they have reached the age of 62 years and 6 months and have 36 years and 10 months of social security contributions. For men, the requirements are 64 years and 9 months of age and 39 years and 10 months of social security contributions. The maximum monthly amount of one or more pensions received remains at the level of 2025 - EUR 1,738.40. The Covid supplement of EUR 30.68 (60 BGN) for new pensioners is planned to be abolished. According to the bill, the minimum amount of the pension for years of social security contributions and age from 1 July to 31 December is EUR 347.51, and pensions are updated according to the Swiss rule by 7.8 percent.

The minimum social security income for self-insured persons from 1 August 2026 becomes 620.20 euros, the same as the minimum wage for 2026. From the same date, the maximum social security income for all insured persons increases to EUR 2,300. An increase in the minimum social security income for certain economic activities is also planned. From 1 August 2026, it is envisaged that civil servants under the Civil Servant Act and those employed under the Judiciary Act will pay their personal social security contributions in a ratio between the insurer and the insured person of 80:20, and from 1 January 2027 - in a ratio of 60:40.

Parliament adopted the budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 2026 at second reading. The revenues and transfers set out in it for this year are EUR 5.256 billion, the same as the planned expenditures. Health insurance revenues should amount to EUR 5.138 billion, of which EUR 3.187 billion are revenues from health insurance contributions and EUR 1.95 billion are transfers for health insurance, the MPs voted.

The expenditures under the bill are EUR 412.3 million more than in the NHIF Budget Act for 2025, which represents an increase of 8.5%.

Revenue from health insurance contributions is expected to increase by EUR 249.2 million compared to last year, and revenue from health insurance transfers is expected to increase by EUR 156.2 million. The health insurance contribution rate of 8% is maintained.

EUR 2.342 billion is planned for hospital medical care, EUR 351.2 million for specialized outpatient medical care, and EUR 345.6 million for primary outpatient medical care. The planned personnel costs are EUR 48,157.8 million. Payments for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, etc. are expected to amount to EUR 1.334 billion.

Unanimously with 192 votes, the National Assembly adopted the proposal of Kostadin Angelov (GERB-UDF) and a group of MPs, which regulates the health insurance status of the monks - Bulgarian citizens in the "Holy Martyr George Zograf" monastery in Mount Athos - Republic of Greece, stating that as of 1 August 2026, they are considered to have continuous health insurance rights.

The National Assembly authorized the presence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of up to eight military aircraft, type KC-135, with their crews, up to 250 military personnel with personal weapons and ammunition and airport equipment from the armed forces of the United States of America, which will provide support to US operations in the Middle East, and their deployment at the Bezmer air base for the period from 24 July to 1 October 2026. The proposal was submitted by the Council of Ministers.

Parliament elected Plamen Tonchev as Chairman of the State Agency for National Security.