Bulgaria’s government is raising the poverty threshold for 2027, while several social benefits will increase

The government, trade unions, and employers’ organizations in Bulgaria approved on Monday the new poverty threshold for 2027, set at a level 13.4%, or €52.37, higher than that of 2026. The increase to €443 will affect the amount of several social benefits and will allow a greater number of people to access assistance.

The Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Natalia Efremova, stated that the new threshold would have a positive effect on the support provided to families and vulnerable people. The following depend on it: allowances to prevent the separation of children from their families, assistance for children in the care of relatives or foster families, support for people with disabilities, the social pension for the elderly, and heating assistance.

The ministry estimates that it will need approximately €94 million in additional funding in the 2027 budget to cover social payments. Eurostat data show that 1.37 million Bulgarians, or 21.2% of the population, have incomes below the poverty threshold. The minister estimates a decrease of 0.5 percentage points in this share.

However, the trade unions called for a threshold of €467. In Romania, the relative poverty threshold is calculated based on the population’s income and was approximately 2,036 lei per month in 2025.