Bulgaria Reports Budget Deficit Reaches 5.2 Billion Euro

The Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria reported a consolidated budget deficit of 5.2 billion euro through October 2026, marking a significant spike from earlier in the year. For the period between January and September 2026, the deficit stood at 3.67 billion euro, or 2.8 percent of the estimated gross domestic product, an increase over the 3.1 billion euro deficit recorded during the same window in 2025.

While consolidated budget revenue rose 10.9 percent to 33.9 billion euro, spending grew faster, increasing 11.6 percent to 37.57 billion euro. The ministry attributed the rising deficit to an extensive increase in capital spending and transfers.

Primary drivers of the expenditure include higher public sector salaries and increased pensions. The government also cited the implementation of municipal investment projects and the European Union's NextGenerationEU recovery and resilience plan as key factors contributing to the spending surge.