Bulgaria will raise the minimum wage to 660 euros starting in 2027

Bulgaria will raise the minimum wage to €660 per month starting on January 1, 2027, an increase of €39.80, or 6.4%, compared with the current level. The measure will affect approximately 462,000 employees and applies to a full month of work based on an eight-hour day, five days a week.

The Council of Ministers adopted the decree on October 29, and it was published in the Official Gazette on November 3. The government says the increase exceeds the annual inflation rate, estimated at 5.7%, and is compatible with the state budget’s capacity.

Unions, however, consider the amount insufficient. The Podkrepa Labour Confederation estimates that the net wage will be approximately €512 after contributions and income tax are paid. The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria is calling for a minimum wage of €690 and says the proposed income does not ensure a decent standard of living.

The 2027 increase is the first to be set under the new mechanism introduced in the Labour Code. The formula takes into account purchasing power, wage levels and distribution, wage growth, and labour productivity, with each indicator carrying a weight of 25%. Negotiations must be completed by May 15, and the government must set the amount by August 15.