By Council of Ministers Decree No. 243 of November 13, 2025, the minimum wage in Bulgaria from January 1, 2026 is set at EUR 620.20 — equal to BGN 1,213 at the fixed exchange rate of 1.95583, following Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone on January 1, 2026. The minimum hourly rate is EUR 3.74. This represents an increase of approximately 8.7% over the 2025 minimum wage of EUR 550.66 (BGN 1,077).
What this means for employment contracts
If you have any employees with a basic monthly salary below EUR 620.20, you are legally required to conclude a supplementary agreement under Art. 119 of the Labour Code increasing the salary to at least the new minimum, effective January 1, 2026. This is not optional.
Note: A new employment contract is not required — a brief supplementary agreement specifying the new salary in EUR is sufficient.
The cascade effect on supplementary pay
The minimum wage increase does not only affect base salaries. It also affects supplementary remuneration calculated on the basis of the basic salary: night work supplements, overtime pay, and seniority pay. Review these calculations as part of your January payroll run.
Salaries in EUR — the transition
All salaries, social security contributions, and statutory compensation are now calculated and paid in EUR. When rounding salary amounts, always round in favour of the employee (upward to the second decimal place). During the transition period (January 1, 2026 — June 30, 2027), payslips must show amounts in both EUR and BGN.
The broader context: annual increases
The average gross salary in Bulgaria for Q4/2025 was approximately EUR 1,369 (BGN 2,678). The minimum wage at EUR 620.20 represents about 45% of the average gross salary. The trend of annual minimum wage increases is expected to continue.
Source: Council of Ministers Decree No. 243/13.11.2025; Innovires Legal, Employment Law Bulgaria 2026; Ruskov und Kollegen, Changes in Labor and Social Law in Bulgaria 2026
