Bulgaria

Country score (EU Average*)

91(72) Political Financing
88(57) Financial Disclosure
75(49) Conflict of Interest
75(59) Freedom of Information
77(63) Public Procurement
69(66) Anti Money Laundering
80(71) Asset Recovery

Country Facts

Income	Upper middle
GNI per capita (2011 PPP $)	17758.42
Population, total	7127822.00
Urban population (% of total)	74.27
Internet users (per 100 people)	59.83
Life expectancy at birth (years)	74.47
Mean years of schooling (years)	10.8
Global Competitiveness Index	4.5

Sources: World Bank, UNDP, WEF.

Political Financing

The Election Code 2014, Political Parties Act 2009 (amended 2015) and Election of Member of Parliament Act 2001 regulate the financing of political parties in Bulgaria.

There are a number of restrictions on the donations received. Donations to political parties and candidates are prohibited from foreign interests, corporations, trade unions, anonymous donors, religious institutions and sole traders. There are limits on the amount that can be donated from permitted donors.

Parties are entitled to public funding annually which is allocated based on the share of votes attained in the previous election, the level of representation in the elected body and the share of seats in the previous election. Public funding is earmarked for spending on the preparation and participation in elections.

There are regulations on spending. These include bans on vote buying, restrictions on the use of municipal-owned public transport vehicles for canvassing and limits on election spending.

Parties are required to report on the finances both generally and for elections. The identity of donors is included in the reports. The reports are publicly available. Reports are overseen and examined by the National Audit Office and the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office. There are extensive provisions on sanctions covering fines, the loss of public funding, forfeiture, reregistration of the party and the loss of elected office.

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024
Bans and limits on private income	69	69	78	78	69	100
Public funding	62	62	62	62	62	62
Regulations on spending	75	75	75	75	75	100
Reporting, oversight and sanctions	83	100	100	100	100	100

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Bans and limits on private income
Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?	Yes. Ban does not apply to donations from foreign individuals Art. 24. "(1) Political parties may not receive: ... 4. any funds from any foreign governments or from any foreign state-owned enterprises, foreign commercial corporations or foreign non-profit organizations. (2) Political parties may not receive any movable and immovable things for gratuitous use, nor any gratuitous services in any form whatsoever, from the entities referred to in Items 2, 3 and 4 of Paragraph (1). (Article 24.1 (4) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	Yes. Art. 168 (1) An electoral campaign shall not be financed with/by: 3. financial resources from non-resident natural persons, with the exception of the persons who are nationals of another Member State of the European Union, who are enfranchised under this Code; 5. financial resources from foreign governments or from foreign State-owned enterprises, foreign commercial corporations or foreign non-profit organisations. Only citizens of EU which have suffrage in Bulgaria can donate. (Art. 168.1 (3-5) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	Yes. Art. 24. (1) Political parties shall not receive: 1. anonymous donations in any form 2. funds from legal entities and sole traders; 3. funds from religious institutions; 4. funds from foreign governments, foreign state enterprises, foreign companies or non-profit organizations In 2019 the Political Parties Act was changed by allowing corporate donations. However with a decision of the Constitutional Court in 2021 the amendment was removed because it was considered as unconstitutional (Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	Yes. Art. 168. (1) Party, coalition or initiative committee in connection with the election campaign can not obtain: 1. donations in any form; 2. funds from legal entities and sole traders; 3. funds from foreign individuals, except for individuals - citizens of another country - member of the European Union which have voting rights in the Code; 4. means of religious institutions; 5. funds from foreign governments or foreign state enterprises, foreign companies or foreign non-profit organizations (Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	Yes. The ban is general for all legal entities "(1) Political parties may not receive: ... 2. any funds from any legal persons and from any sole traders; ..." (Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2015; Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations of partial government ownership to political parties?	Yes. The ban is general for all legal entities "(1) Political parties may not receive: ... 2. any funds from any legal persons and from any sole traders; ..." (Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2015; Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	Yes. The ban is general for all legal entities (Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2015; Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from corporations of partial government ownership to candidates?	Yes. The ban is general for all legal entities A party, a coalition or a nomination committee may not receive the following in connection with the election campaign: ... 2. financial resources from legal persons and from sole traders (Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2015; Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	Yes. Art 24. Political parties may not receive any funds from any legal persons. There is no explicit ban on trade unions making donations to the political parties, but there is a clear ban on legal persons. Since trade unions should be actually registered as legal persons, it may be concluded that this norm should apply to them as well. (P.7 GRECO 2010 Evaluation Report on Bulgaria, Transparency of Party Funding Theme 2 Art 24.1 (2) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?	Yes. The ban provided in article 168 is general for all legal entities. According to article 49 of the Labour Code, Trade unions shall attain the status of legal person upon registration under the procedure established for registration of non-profit associations. There is no explicit ban on trade unions making donations to the political parties, but there is a clear ban on legal persons. Since trade unions should be actually registered as legal persons, it may be concluded that this norm should apply to them as well. (Art. 168.1 (2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016. Article 49 Labour Code, 1987, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?	Yes. Political parties may not receive any anonymous donations in any form whatsoever; Art.‌ 24.‌ "Political parties shall not receive: 1.‌ anonymous donations [.‌.‌.‌]".‌ (Article 24.1 (1) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	Yes. Art. 168. (1) Party, coalition or initiative committee in connection with the election campaign can not obtain: 1. donations in any form; (Art. 168.1 (1) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on state resources being given to or received by political parties or candidates (excluding regulated public funding)?	Yes. Art.‌ 23.‌ "(1) The incomes of political parties shall be proceeds from: 1.‌ membership dues; 2.‌ own immovable property; 3.‌ donations and legacies from natural persons; 5.‌ (added in State Gazette No 73 2006) interest on cash deposit in banks and income from shares, when this is not in conflict with article 22; 6.‌ publishing activity, copy rights and use of intellectual property, as well as sale and distribution of printed, audio and audio-‌visual materials containing party propaganda.‌ (2) Political parties’ own incomes are also proceeds from fund raising events.‌ (3) Political parties may borrow loans from banks in the amount of up to two-‌thirds of the incomes accounted for before the National Audit Office for the preceding year.‌ (4) Included in the incomes per par.‌ 3 shall be the State subsidy and the proceeds per par.‌ 1, it.‌ 1, 2, 5 and 6 (5) Non-‌pecuniary incomes per par.‌ 1 shall be evaluated at fair market price in conformity with the Accounting Act [State actors are not among allowed donors] There is no explicit ban, but what the own income of the party can be comprised of is specified in Art. 23.1. The provisions on the state subsidy are regulated in Art. 26-28 PPA The same goes for candidates. Art. 150.1 lists with what sources an election campaign can be financed. There is a specific ban on the free use of administrative resources (the word includes staff, equipment, etc). Funding Sources Art. 162. (1) The party registered candidates can finance his campaign with: 1. The own funds of the party; 2. funds of candidates; 3. donations from individuals. (2) Coalition, registered candidates can finance his campaign with: 1. The own funds of the parties involved in it; 2. funds of candidates; 3. donations from individuals made of one of the parties in the coalition, determined under Art. 164, para. 2. (3) Steering Committee registered candidate may finance his campaign with: 1. The resources of the members of the Steering Committee; 2. funds of candidates; 3. donations from individuals made to the person designated under Art. 164, para. 1. Art. 167.3 In connection with the election campaign shall be prohibited free use of a public administrative resource. (Article 23(1); Article 24 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Art. 162 and 167.3 Election Code 2014. amended 2016 Article 168 (3) and Art. 18 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is there a ban on any other form of donation?	Yes. Political parties may not receive: 1. anonymous donations in any form 2. any funds from any legal persons and from any sole traders; 3. any funds from any religious institutions; 4. any funds from any foreign governments or from any foreign state-owned enterprises, foreign commercial corporations or foreign non-profit organizations. The Election Code provides for a ban on the free use of administrative resources (these includes institution's staff, equipment, etc.) (Article 24 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Article 168.3 Election Code 2014, amended 2016)
Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party over a time period (not election specific)?	Yes. The donation from any single natural person for one calendar year may not exceed BGN 10,000. There is no specific legal provisions regarding the limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party. Based on the OSSE/ODIHR Opinion on the Act on Amendment of the Act on the 2019 State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria which encourages legislator to consider re- introducing contributions limits for privite donors, there could be interpreted that there is no limit on the amount donor can contribute to a political party. It is recommended for the legislator to consider re-introducing contribution limits for private donations, which are common in most OSCE participating States, while carefully balancing between ensuring that there is no distortion in the political process in favour of wealthy interest groups or particular individuals and encouraging broad political participation, including by allowing individuals to contribute to the parties of their choice. (Article 23.2 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 OSSE/ODIHR Opinion on the Act on Amendment of the Act on the 2019 State Budget of the Republic of Bulgaria: Ch. IV, 4, 27, 2019)
Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party in relation to an election?	Yes. Art. 167. (1) The contribution by one natural person to one party or coalition may not exceed BGN 10,000 for one calendar year. (2) The contribution by one natural person to one nomination committee and the candidate or, respectively, candidates registered thereby may not exceed BGN 10,000 The art. 167 of the Election code which regulated the limit has been amended and erased (Art. 167 Election Code 2014, amended 2016)
Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?	Yes. Art. 167. (1) The contribution by one natural person to one party or coalition may not exceed BGN 10,000 for one calendar year. (2) The contribution by one natural person to one nomination committee and the candidate or, respectively, candidates registered thereby may not exceed BGN 10,000 The art. 167 of the Election code which regulated the limit has been amended and erased (Article 167 Election Code 2014, amended 2016)
Public funding
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties	Yes. See sub-indicators (Article 25 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of votes in previous election	Yes. A state subsidy shall furthermore be allocated annually to parties which are not represented in the National Assembly but which have received not less than 1 per cent of all valid votes at the latest parliamentary elections. (Article 26 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Representation in elected body	Yes. A state subsidy is available for parties which are registered at the Central Election Commission for participation in elections, which have participated in the latest parliamentary elections, and which have elected National Representatives. (Article 25 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Participation in election	Yes. A state subsidy is available for parties which are registered at the Central Election Commission for participation in elections, which have participated in the latest parliamentary elections, and which have elected National Representatives. (Article 25 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Number of candidates	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of seats in previous election	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of votes in next election	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Registration as a political party	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Share of seats in next election	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Number of members	No. Absent from legal framework
Eligibility criteria for direct public funding to political parties: Other	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties	Yes. See sub-indicators
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to votes received	Yes. Art. 25 (2) (3) The total amount provided in the budget is allocated in proportion to the valid votes received by each party or coalition. (3) (amend. - SG. 68 of 2013) state subsidy granted to any coalition represented in the National Assembly, shall be distributed among the constituent parties according to the coalition agreement, and failing that is distributed proportionally to the number MPs from different parties. Ministry of Finance transfers the share of subsidy for each party in the account specified by. Art. 27.2 The way to provide funds to subsidize parties and coalitions shall be determined by the Minister of Finance. (Article 25 (2) (3) & Article 27 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Equal	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to seats received	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Flat rate by votes received	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Share of expenses reimbursed	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Proportional to candidates fielded	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Number of members	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation calculations for direct public funding to political parties: Other	No. Absent from legal framework
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties	Yes. See sub-indicators
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Campaign spending	Yes. Political parties shall spend the funds thereof on preparation and participation in elections, to ensure the operation of party chapters, on organizational expenses for the conduct of events, and on other expenses inherent to the activity of the party. (Article 29 (1) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 & P. 6 GRECO 2010 Evaluation Report on Bulgaria, Transparency of Party Funding Theme 2)
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Ongoing party activities	Yes. Political parties shall spend the funds thereof on preparation and participation in elections, to ensure the operation of party chapters, on organizational expenses for the conduct of events, and on other expenses inherent to the activity of the party. (Article 29 (1) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 & P. 6 GRECO 2010 Evaluation Report on Bulgaria, Transparency of Party Funding Theme 2)
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Intra-party institution	No. Absent from legal framework
Earmarking provisions for direct public funding to political parties: Other	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties	Yes. See sub-indicators "(1) The State shall provide financial resources for media packages in the amount of BGN 40,000 to the parties and coalitions which have registered candidates upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic and of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria and in all constituencies upon elections of National Representatives and which are not entitled to State subsidy under the Political Parties Act. Any coalition in which parties entitled to State subsidy according to the procedure established by the Political Parties Act participate shall be provided with financial resources for media packages in an amount proportionate to the share of the parties participating in the coalition which are not entitled to State subsidy." (Article 178 (1), The Election Code, 2014)
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Equal	Yes. Applies only to public media: Art. 189.(3) The Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio report objectively and fairly manifestations of candidates from registered parties, coalitions and initiative committees, respecting their equal importance and based on rules adopted by the Central Election Commission. (Art. 189 (3) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Number of candidates	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Share of seats	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Share of votes in preceding election	No. Absent from legal framework
Allocation criteria for free or subsidized access to media for political parties: Other	Yes. Art. 192. (1) The order of presentation of candidates from registered parties, coalitions and initiative committees, in various forms of election campaign is determined by the Central Election Commission by lot. The draw takes place in the presence of authorized representatives of political parties, coalitions and initiative committees and representatives of the Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio. Art. 193. (1) The election campaign programs of the Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio opens and closes with clips of parties, coalitions and initiative committees for up to 40 seconds, which are broadcast free. (2) In elections for president and vice president of the republic election campaign programs of the Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio opens and closes with references to the candidate pairs for up to three minutes for each of them are not paid. (3) Upon production of a new election for President and Vice President of the Republic in cases of art. 93, para. 4 of the Constitution, candidates have the right to make addresses in the programs of Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio on the last day of the election campaign between the two rounds within 10 minutes, the order is determined by lot by an order determined by the Central Election Commission. The addresses are not paid. (4) The time of broadcast clips is determined by agreement between the Director General of the Bulgarian National Television, respectively of the Bulgarian National Radio, and authorized representatives of political parties, coalitions and initiative committees. Regional r adio and television center s Art. 196. (2) The Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio provide a total of at least 60 minutes during radio and television programs, respectively in the programs of regional radio and television centers, free debates between representatives of parties, coalitions and initiative committees , registered candidates. (Article 192 - 196 Election Code 2014, amended 2016)
Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	Yes. Art.178. "(1) The State shall provide financial resources for media packages in the amount of BGN 40,000 to the parties and coalitions which have registered candidates upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic and of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria and in all constituencies upon elections of National Representatives and which are not entitled to State subsidy under the Political Parties Act. Any coalition in which parties entitled to State subsidy according to the procedure established by the Political Parties Act participate shall be provided with financial resources for media packages in an amount proportionate to the share of the parties participating in the coalition which are not entitled to State subsidy. (2) The State shall provide financial resources for media packages in the amount of BGN 40,000 to the nomination committees which have registered candidates upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic and in the amount of BGN 5,000 to the nomination committees which have registered candidates upon elections of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria and upon elections of National Representatives. (3) The resources for the media packages referred to in Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be for the account of the State budget and shall be used to pay for the different paid forms of coverage of the election campaign through the media service providers." Art. 193. "(1) The election campaign in the programme services of the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio shall open and close with spots of the parties, coalitions and nomination committees of a length not exceeding 40 seconds, which shall be transmitted at no charge. (2) Upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic, the election campaign in the programme services of the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio shall open and close with messages by the pairs of candidates of a length not exceeding 3 minutes for each of the said pairs, which shall not be paid for. (3) Upon conduct of a new election of President and Vice President of the Republic in the cases referred to in Article 93 (4) of the Constitution, the candidates shall have the right to broadcast messages not longer than 10 minutes in the programme services of the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio on the last day of the election campaign between the two rounds, in an order determined by lots according to a procedure established by the Central Election Commission. The addresses shall not be paid for." Art. 195. "(1) The Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio shall allot air time to the parties, coalitions and nomination committees which have registered candidates for debates at no charge on topics coordinated in advance of a length aggregating not less than 240 minutes. ... (3) Upon conduct of a new election of President and Vice President of the Republic in the cases referred to in Article 93 (4) of the Constitution, in the period between the two rounds, by mutual agreement the candidates may hold a debate at no charge of a length of not less than 60 minutes within the appointed transmission time on the Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio. The debate shall take place according to the procedure established by this Section." (Articles 178 (1-3),193 (1-3) and 195 (1 and 3), The Election Code, 2014)
Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	No. See subindicators
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Premises for campaign meetings	No. Absent from legal framework
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Space for campaign materials	No. Absent from legal framework
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Tax relief	No. Absent from legal framework
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Free or subsidised transport	No. Absent from legal framework
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Free or subsidised postage cost	No. Absent from legal framework
Provisions for any other form of indirect public funding: Other	No. Art. 31 (1) The State and the municipalities shall provide, in consideration of a rental charge, premises to the political parties which have a parliamentary group or a sufficient number of National Representatives to form a parliamentary group, for performance of the activities of the said parties ( Art. 31 (1) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 )
Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties related to gender equality among candidates?	No. Absent from legal framework
Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?	No. absent from legal framework
Regulations on spending
Is there a ban on vote buying?	Yes. Art. 183 (2) Each item of campaign material shall contain a statement that vote buying and selling is a criminal offence, and the said statement shall occupy not less than 10 per cent of the face space of the campaign material and shall be boxed. In the audio and audiovisual materials, this statement shall be contained as an unambiguous and understandable message Vote bying is a criminal offence (Article 183(2) Election Code 2014. amended 2016 Art. 167-168 Criminal Code, 1968, amended 2016)
Are there bans on state resources being used in favour or against a political party or candidate?	Yes. Art. 168.3 It shall be prohibited to use public administrative resources gratuitously in connection with the election campaign.. Art. 182.1 No canvassing shall be admissible at State and municipal offices, institutions, State-owned and municipal-owned enterprises and at commercial corporations wherein the State or a municipality holds a participating interest in the capital exceeding 50 per cent. (Article 168.3 and 182.1 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	Yes. Limitis depends on the type of election "(1) The aggregate amount of financing of each election campaign of the parties, coalitions and nomination committees may not exceed: 1. upon elections of National Representatives for a National Assembly: (a) BGN 3,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) BGN 200,000 for a nomination committee; 2. upon elections of National Representatives for a Grand National Assembly: (a) BGN 4,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) BGN 200,000 for a nomination committee; 3. upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic and of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria: (a) BGN 2,000,000 for a party, a coalition and a nomination committee for elections of President and Vice President of the Republic, as well as for a party and coalition for elections of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria; (b) BGN 100,000 for a nomination committee for elections of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria; 4. upon elections of municipal councillors and of mayors: (a) BGN 8,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) the maximum amount of the financial resources referred to in Paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) for a nomination committee. (2) Not more than BGN 5,000 may be spent per candidate for municipal councillor within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1). (3) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for municipality mayor: 1. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 30,000 residents: not more than BGN 25,000; 2. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 60,000 residents: not more than BGN 50,000; 3. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 100,000; 4. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 200,000 residents: not more than BGN 250,000; 5. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 500,000 residents: not more than BGN 500,000; 6. for a municipality with a population exceeding 500,000 residents: not more than BGN 1,000,000. (4) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for borough mayor: 1. for a borough with a population not exceeding 25,000 residents: not more than BGN 20,000; 2. for a borough with a population not exceeding 50,000 residents: not more than BGN 40,000; 3. for a borough with a population not exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 60,000; 4. for a borough with a population exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 60,000. (5) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for municipality mayor: 1. for a mayoralty with a population not exceeding 1,000 residents: not more than BGN 2,000; 2. for a mayoralty with a population not exceeding 3,000 residents: not more than BGN 6,000; 3. for a mayoralty with a population exceeding 3,000 residents: not more than BGN 10,000." (Article 165 Election Code, 2014, amended 2016)
Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	Yes. Limitis depends on the type of election "(1) The aggregate amount of financing of each election campaign of the parties, coalitions and nomination committees may not exceed: 1. upon elections of National Representatives for a National Assembly: (a) BGN 3,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) BGN 200,000 for a nomination committee; 2. upon elections of National Representatives for a Grand National Assembly: (a) BGN 4,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) BGN 200,000 for a nomination committee; 3. upon elections of President and Vice President of the Republic and of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria: (a) BGN 2,000,000 for a party, a coalition and a nomination committee for elections of President and Vice President of the Republic, as well as for a party and coalition for elections of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria; (b) BGN 100,000 for a nomination committee for elections of Members of the European Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria; 4. upon elections of municipal councillors and of mayors: (a) BGN 8,000,000 for a party and for a coalition; (b) the maximum amount of the financial resources referred to in Paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5) for a nomination committee. (2) Not more than BGN 5,000 may be spent per candidate for municipal councillor within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1). (3) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for municipality mayor: 1. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 30,000 residents: not more than BGN 25,000; 2. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 60,000 residents: not more than BGN 50,000; 3. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 100,000; 4. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 200,000 residents: not more than BGN 250,000; 5. for a municipality with a population not exceeding 500,000 residents: not more than BGN 500,000; 6. for a municipality with a population exceeding 500,000 residents: not more than BGN 1,000,000. (4) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for borough mayor: 1. for a borough with a population not exceeding 25,000 residents: not more than BGN 20,000; 2. for a borough with a population not exceeding 50,000 residents: not more than BGN 40,000; 3. for a borough with a population not exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 60,000; 4. for a borough with a population exceeding 100,000 residents: not more than BGN 60,000. (5) Within the aggregate amount of the financing referred to in Item 4 of Paragraph (1), the following amounts may be spent per candidate for municipality mayor: 1. for a mayoralty with a population not exceeding 1,000 residents: not more than BGN 2,000; 2. for a mayoralty with a population not exceeding 3,000 residents: not more than BGN 6,000; 3. for a mayoralty with a population exceeding 3,000 residents: not more than BGN 10,000." (Article 165 Election Code, 2014, amended 2016)
Reporting, oversight and sanctions
Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	Yes. Political parties shall draw up a financial statement on the last preceding calendar year according to the requirements established by Article 26 of the Accountancy Act. Control is exercised by the National Audit Office. "(1) Within 30 working days after polling day, the person who represents the party or the nomination committee and the persons who represent the coalition shall present to the Bulgarian National Audit Office a report on hard copy and on soft copy on the financial resources raised and spent and the payment obligations assumed in connection with the election campaign, accompanied by a statement of the bank account of the party, committee or coalition. The declarations referred to in Article 169 (1) and (3) herein shall be attached to the report." (Article 34 (1) Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Article 172 (1), The Election Code, 2014 )
Do political parties have to report on their finances in relation to election campaigns?	Yes. Art. 172. (1) Within 30 days after election day, the person who represents the party or initiative committee, and persons representing the coalition submitted to the Court on paper and electronically report on revenues, expenditures and commitments for payment in connection with the election campaign, accompanied by a statement from their bank account. Report to apply declarations under Art. 169, para 1 and 3. (Article 172(1) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Do candidates have to report on their campaign finances?	Yes. (3) The resources of the applicant or a member of the Steering Committee for the campaign are reported in the statement of the party, coalition or initiative committee under par. 1. The report applies the declaration of art. 169, para. 2. (Article 172(3) Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	Yes. Each political party shall create and keep a public register, recording therein: 1. the persons referred to in Item 3 of Article 23 (1) herein and the type, amount, value and purpose of the donation or legacy, devise and bequest made; 2. (amended, SG No. 9/2011) a declaration by the persons referred to in Item 3 of Article 23 (1) herein on the origin of the funds, in the cases where the donation is to an amount exceeding BGN 1,000; Article 34 (6) The National Audit Office published on its website by 15 April of the current year reports and declarations under par. 4 lists the names of the parties that have not submitted reports within the period under par. 4, and a list of parties that received a state subsidy in the previous year. Article 172 (5) the Court of Auditors published on the website statements of parties, coalitions and initiative committees under par. First 15 days of the deadline for their submission. (Article 29 (2) and Article 34 (6) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Article 172 (5) Election Code, 2014, amended 2016 )
Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	Yes. "the financial statement should include (…) the names of donors…" P.10 (GRECO (2010) Evaluation Report on Bulgaria, Transparency of Party Funding (Theme II)) "any anonymous donations in any form whatsoever" Article 24(1), Political Party Act "Each political party shall create and keep a public register, recording therein (...) the persons referred to in Article 23, paragraph 1, item 3 herein and the type, amount, value and purpose of the donation or legacy, devise and bequest made" Article 29 (2.1), Political Party Act Article 171 (1) The National Audit Office creates a register of parties, coalitions of parties and initiative committees participating in the kind of election that is maintained until the next election of the same type. (2) The register under par. 1 during the election campaign shall publish: 3. The names of the donors, the type, purpose, size or value of the donations; 4. The names of the individuals who provided services free of charge or for a campaign, the duration of use, the type and description of items provided for use, the type of services; 5. The declaration of the origin of donations, declarations of origin of the funds of the candidates and members of the nomination committee and the declarations of individuals for property provided for free use items; (Article 24(1) & Article 29(2.1), Political Parties Ac, 2005, amended 2016 Article 171 (1) Election Code 2014. amended 2016 P. 10 GRECO 2010 Evaluation Report on Bulgaria , Transparency of Party Funding Theme 2)
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Electoral Management Board	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Auditing agency	Yes. Financial control over the activities of political parties and the management of the property thereto allocated shall be exercised by the National Audit Office. Within 30 days after polling day, the parties, the coalitions of parties and the nomination committees shall present a report in hard copy and in soft copy to the Bulgarian National Audit Office on the financial resources raised and spent and the payment obligations assumed thereby in connection with the election campaign, accompanied by a statement of the bank account thereof. (Article 33 - 34 Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Article 172 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Ministry	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Special institution	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Court	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions receiving financial reports from political parties and/or candidates: Other	No. Absent from legal framework
Is it specified that a particular institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Court	No. Absent from legal framework
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Ministry	No. Absent from legal framework
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Auditing agency	Yes. National Audit office and the Sofia city Prosecutor's office - (2) (Amended, SG No. 6/2009) Where in the course of the audit the National Audit Office has ascertained any violations by a political party in the raising and spending of funds, in the management of the property as allocated or in the financial reporting, by decision of the National Audit Office the relevant part of the report, as well as the evidence taken, shall be transmitted to the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office within seven days after adoption of the said report. (Article 36 (1-2) Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Art. 172 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Electoral Management Body	No. Absent from legal framework
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Institution for this purpose	No. Absent from legal framework
Institution responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations: Other	Yes. Sofia city Prosecutor's office - (2) (Amended, SG No. 6/2009) Where in the course of the audit the National Audit Office has ascertained any violations by a political party in the raising and spending of funds, in the management of the property as allocated or in the financial reporting, by decision of the National Audit Office the relevant part of the report, as well as the evidence taken, shall be transmitted to the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office within seven days after adoption of the said report. (Article 36 (1-2) Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Art. 172 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Other institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Court	Yes. Art. 40 (1) Sofia City Court orders the dissolution of a political party only where: 4. has not submitted their annual financial statements to the Court for two consecutive years; (Article 40 Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Ministry	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Auditing agency	Yes. National Audit office and the Sofia city Prosecutor's office (Article 36 (1-2) Poltical Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 Art. 172 Election Code 2014. amended 2016)
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: EMB	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Institution for this purpose	No. Absent from legal framework
Institutions with a formal role in political finance oversight: Other	Yes. The National Revenue Agency shall carry out control activities in respect of the political parties which receive a state subsidy and which have failed to submit the statements thereof to the National Audit Office when due. (Article 35a Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Sanctions for political finance infractions
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Fines	Yes. Extensive fines for numerous actions listed in Part III of Election Code 2014. amended 2015 and Chapter 6 of Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2015 (Part III, Art. 477-479 Election Code 2014. amended 2016 Chapter 6 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of public funding	Yes. Upon non-submission or late submission of financial statements to the National Audit Office, political parties shall lose the entitlement thereof to a state subsidy until conduct of the next elections of National Representatives. (Article 36 (1) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Penal/Criminal	No. Absent from legal framework
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Forfeiture	Yes. Art. 42. (1) Upon termination of a political party under Art. 38 1-3 the relevant authority shall determine the manner of disposal of its property. (2) Upon termination of a political party under Art. 38 pt. 4 and 5 passes its property to the state. State is liable for the obligations of the dissolved party to the amount of property received. (Article 42 Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Deregistration of party	No. Absent from legal framework
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of elected office	No. Absent from legal framework
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Suspension of political party	Yes. Under article 40 PPA paragraphs 1 and 4, the Sofia City Court is competent to pronounce the dissolution of a political party, i.‌a.‌ where it has committed systematic violations of the PPA or where it has failed to submit the annual financial statements to the National Audit Office for two successive years.‌ (Article 40 (1-4) Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016)
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of nomination of candidate	No. Absent from legal framework
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Loss of political rights	No. Absent from legal framework
Sanctions for political finance infractions: Other	No. Absent from legal framework

Legislation

Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016 (English)	pdf
Election Code, 2014, amended 2016 (English)	pdf
Criminal Code, 1968, amended 2016 (Bulgarian)	pdf
Labour Code, 1987, amended 2016 (Bulgarian)	pdf

*Last update: 2017

Financial Disclosure

Bulgaria’s financial disclosure legislation makes similar disclosure requirements for the Head of State, Ministers, and Members of Parliament. The Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) requires statements on real estate, movable assets, cash, debts, income from outside employment, gifts, and shares in private or public companies. Spouses and underaged children must be included in the disclosure. At the same time the Civil Servants Act (1999 last amended 2016) makes fewer requirements for Civil Servants, with them only having to declare income from outside employment and real estate. For all public officials, the Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) further requires statements on circumstances which may lead to a conflict of interests.

All public officials make their fillings upon taking office and from then on both ad hoc and annually. The same sanctions are stipulated for all public officials in cases of late filling, non-filling or making false disclosures. These sanctions range from fines up to a 3-year prison sentence. The Head of State, Ministers, and MPs make their statements with the Chairperson of the Audit Office. The Audit Office also verifies submissions and their accuracy, and enforces sanctions. For Civil Servants however, only the depository is specified in form of the appointing authority while no verifying mechanisms exist. The financial declarations of high-level public officials are published on the website of the corresponding depository body upon authorization within set time-frames.

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Disclosure items	42	67	67	39	39	83
Filing frequency	19	19	19	19	19	94
Sanctions	50	50	50	50	50	100
Monitoring and Oversight	56	56	56	56	56	81
Public access to declarations	0	0	0	25	12	81
Alternative Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Head of State	0	0	0	0	0	94
Ministers	44	51	51	54	54	99
Members of Parliament	44	51	51	44	44	93
Civil servants	44	51	51	54	44	67

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Head of State
Disclosure items
Spouses and children included in disclosure	Yes. Spouses and underage children have to be included (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Income and Assets
Real estate	Yes. Immovable properties must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Movable assets	Yes. Motor road, water and air vehicles must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Cash	Yes. Any sums of money, including deposits, bank accounts and receivables, of an aggregate value exceeding BGN 10,000, including in a foreign currency; any investments in investment funds and pension funds and equivalent forms of savings and investments, if the aggregate value thereof exceeds BGN 10,000; (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Loans and Debts	Yes. any obligations and loans exceeding BGN 10,000, including credit cards, if the credit limit absorbed during the previous calendar year in local or in foreign currency exceeds BGN 10,000 in aggregate must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Income from outside employment/assets	Yes. Any labour income received during the previous calendar year; any income other than such for the office held, received during the previous calendar year, where exceeding BGN 1,000 must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official	Yes. Any collaterals furnished and any expenditures incurred thereby or to the benefit thereof, or to the benefit of any persons referred to in Paragraph (4) with the consent thereof, where not paid by own funds, by public funds or by funds of the institution whereat the persons are office holders, for: (a) training; (b) travel; (c) other payments at a unit price exceeding BGN 1,000; any expenditure on training other than those under Item 10, including to the benefit of any persons referred to in Paragraph (4), of a unit value exceeding BGN 1000; any participation in commercial corporations must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. sany certificated securities, any participating interests in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and any financial instruments under Article 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. sany certificated securities, any participating interests in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and any financial instruments under Article 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act must be declared (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Holding government contracts	Yes. There is no general requirement to declare government contracts, but a person holding public office must file a declaration stating contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to the decisions made by the public office holder within the range of the official powers or duties thereof. In the case of high-ranking public officials state-owned enterprises probably fall under this category in most of the cases (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A person holding public office must file a declaration stating circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, in the board of directors or as an officer and in the management or control of legal persons NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Post-employment	Yes. Absent from legal framework. Post-employment restriction introduced: prohibition for public office holders to use information or influence acquired during office for private benefit after leaving office. (Art. 58, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. Contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to the decisions made by the senior public office holder within the range of the official powers or duties thereof; particulars of any related parties in whose activity the senior public office holder has a private interest. Explicit obligation to abstain from decision-making where a private interest exists; prohibition to exercise official powers in situations of conflict of interest. (Art.37 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Filing frequency
Filing required upon taking office	Yes. A declaration of assets and interests shall be submitted within one month from the assumption of the senior public office (Art.38 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Filing required upon leaving office	Yes. A declaration of assets and interests shall be submitted: 1) within one month from the release from office; 2) within one month from the expiry of one year after the submission of the declaration submitted after the release from office. (Art.38 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Filing required annually	Yes. A declaration of assets and interests shall be submitted within one month from the assumption of the senior public officeannually, by the 15th day of May: for the previous calendar year. (Art.38 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest	Yes. In case of changes of income and assets over the last year must be submitted by 30 April of the current year. In case of no changes the Head of the National Audit Office should be notified with a letter by 30 April. Changes to the declartions could be made by 31 May of the current year. A person holding a public office shall submit a declaration of changes in incompatibility and private interest circumstances within 7 days of the occurrence of the change. He/she can also submit an ad hoc declaration of a private interest. (Art. 4.1 (2), Art. 4.4 and 4.6 of Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Article 15 and 16 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions
Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Any public office holder, who fails to submit a declaration under this Act when due, shall be liable to a fine of BGN 1,000 or exceeding this amount but not exceeding BGN 3,001 (Art.173 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Any public office holder, who fails to submit a declaration under this Act when due, shall be liable to a fine of BGN 1,000 or exceeding this amount but not exceeding BGN 3,000 (Art.173 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Any senior public office holder, who fails to declare or who misdeclares any circumstance which the not exceeding BGN 3,000, unless a severer punishment is provided for. (Art. 174 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Monitoring and Oversight
Depository body explicitly identified	Yes. The Counter-Corruption And Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Commission shall be a counter-corruption authority within the meaning given by this Act for senior office holders.The Commission shall verify and analyse the declarations of assets and interests of senior public office holders; (Art. 7.1 and 13.1 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Enforcement body explicitly identified	Yes. The Commission shall ascertain a conflict of interest of senior public office holders, shall hear or require the submission of information regarding the examinations related to the ascertainment of a conflict of interest; shall verify alerts in connection with the declarations of incompatibility of senior public office holders and shall refer any such alerts to the electing or appointing authority for an appropriate response; shall check the assets status, shall adopt a decision on extension of the check in the cases provided for by this Act and decisions on termination of the check; shall institute an unlawfully acquired assets forfeiture proceeding, which shall include submission to the court of a motion for the imposition of precautionary measures and lodgement of an action for forfeiture to the Exchequer of unlawfully acquired assets; shall refuse to institute an unlawfully acquired assets forfeiture proceeding; shall terminate the check referred to in Article 107 (2) herein or shall extend the period of any such check; shall terminate unlawfully acquired assets forfeiture proceedings and shall reach settlements under this Act; shall adopt rules on the conduct of integrity tests of the Commission employees and shall organise the conduct of the said tests; shall endorse the standard forms of the declarations referred to in Items 2 and 4 of Article 35 (1) herein; shall exercise other powers as well, provided for in a law. (Art. 13.4-13.13 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission	Yes. Within six months from the expiry of the time limits referred to in Articles 38 and 39 herein, the inspectors of the Commission shall verify and analyse the information in the declarations of assets and interests of senior public office holders as to the veracity of the facts declared (Art. 43 Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act 2018)
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy	Yes. The National Audit Office officials shall be responsible for verifying the accuracy of income and asset declarations. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest. Then the Commission is in charge of investigating the notification. (Art 7 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) and Chapter 6 of Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Public access to declarations
Public availability	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Timing of information release specified	No. Two months within the submission of the declarations of assets. (Art 6.2 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Location(s) of access specified	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Cost of access specified	Yes. The access of free of costs. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Ministers
Disclosure items
Spouses and children included in disclosure	Yes. Spouses and underage children have to be included (Art. 2.3 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Income and Assets
Real estate	Yes. Real estate must be declared (Art. 3.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Movable assets	Yes. Motor road, water and air vehicles must be declared (Art. 3.1 (2) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Cash	Yes. Cash, receivables and liabilities over BGN 5 thousand in local or foreign currency (Art. 3.1 (3) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Loans and Debts	Yes. Cash, receivables and liabilities over BGN 5 thousand in local or foreign currency (Art. 3.1 (3) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Income from outside employment/assets	Yes. Income, other than those for the position occupied by the persons under Article 2, paragraph 1 (Definition of Senior Public Officials) and 3 (underage children and spouses), received during the preceding calendar year if they exceed BGN 2000. (Art. 3.1 (6) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official	Yes. Subject to declaration shall be security provided and expenses made by or in favour of [the head of state, children and spouses,] with their consent, when they are not paid by their own resources or by resources of the institution where they occupy a position, for: 1. education; 2. travelling outside the country; 3. other payments of a unit price over BGN 500. (Art. 3 (2) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 37 (1) (10), Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. securities, shares in limited liability companies and commandite companies, registered shares in joint-stock companies, also acquired through participation in privatisation transactions, other than cases of bond (mass) privatisation; (Art. 3 (1) 4 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. securities, shares in limited liability companies and commandite companies, registered shares in joint-stock companies, also acquired through participation in privatisation transactions, other than cases of bond (mass) privatisation; (Art. 3 (1) 4 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Holding government contracts	Yes. There is no general requirement to declare government contracts, but a person holding public office must file a declaration stating contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to the decisions made by the public office holder within the range of the official powers or duties thereof. In the case of high-ranking public officials state-owned enterprises probably fall under this category in most of the cases (Art. 14 (1) 3 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 35 (1) + Art. 37 (1), Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A person holding public office must file a declaration stating circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, in the board of directors or as an officer and in the management or control of legal persons NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. (Art. 14 (1) 1 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 52–54, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Post-employment	Yes. Cooling-off rule prohibiting the use of confidential or insider information acquired during office for private purposes after leaving office. (Art. 58, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. Mandatory recusal obligation in case of conflict of interest; prohibition to participate in decision-making where a private interest exists. (Art. 56, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Filing frequency
Filing required upon taking office	Yes. Income and assets must be disclosed within one month of assuming office. A person holding a senior public office shall submit a declaration of incompatibility within 7 days of his/her selection for the office. A person holding a senior public office shall submit a declartion of private interests within 30 days of taking office (Art. 4.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 13 and Art. 14 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Filing required upon leaving office	Yes. Income and assets must be disclosed within one month of leaving office. (Art. 4.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Filing required annually	Yes. In case of changes of income and assets over the last year must be submitted by 30 April of the current year. In case of no changes the Head of the National Audit Office should be notified with a letter by 30 April. (Art. 4.1 (2) and Art. 4.4 of Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest	Yes. In case of changes of income and assets over the last year must be submitted by 30 April of the current year. In case of no changes the Head of the National Audit Office should be notified with a letter by 30 April. Changes to the declartions could be made by 31 May of the current year. A person holding a public office shall submit a declaration of changes in incompatibility and private interest circumstances within 7 days of the occurrence of the change. He/she can also submit an ad hoc declaration of a private interest. (Art. 4.1 (2), Art. 4.4 and 4.6 of Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Article 15 and 16 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions
Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Late filing of the declaration of assets: 1000-1500 BGN, 2500-5000 for a second violation; Late filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation (Art. 8 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016); Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Non-filing of the declaration of assets: 1000-1500 BGN, 2500-5000 for a second violation; Non-filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation (Art. 8 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016); Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. A person who makes a false statement in a written declaration submitted to state authorities is subject to criminal liability. The criminal sanctions may range from 3-years imprisonment to a fine. They are imposed through criminal proceedings by a court of law. (Article 313 of the Penal Code (1968, last amended 2016))
Monitoring and Oversight
Depository body explicitly identified	Yes. The depository body is the Chairman of the National Audit Office. The Declarations of conflict of interest of ministers are submitted to the Permanent Committee of the Parliament. The declarations of conflict of interest of deputy ministers are submitted to the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers (Art 5 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 17.1 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 6 + Art. 13, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Enforcement body explicitly identified	Yes. The Chairperson of the National Audit Office is the body in charge of the execution of the Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act of 2000. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest (Art 5 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, amended 2015) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission	Yes. The National Audit Office is tasked with verifying submissions. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest. (Art 7 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 46, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy	Yes. The National Audit Office officials shall be responsible for verifying the accuracy of income and asset declarations. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest. Then the Commission is in charge of investigating the notification. (Art 7 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 and Chapter 6 of Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 47, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Public access to declarations
Public availability	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Timing of information release specified	Yes. Two months within the submission of the declarations of assets. (Art 6.2 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Location(s) of access specified	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Cost of access specified	Yes. The access of free of costs. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament (or the Chief Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers for deputy ministers) with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Members of Parliament
Disclosure items
Spouses and children included in disclosure	Yes. Spouses and underage children have to be included (Art. 2.3 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Income and Assets
Real estate	Yes. Real estate must be declared (Art. 3.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Movable assets	Yes. Motor road, water and air vehicles must be declared (Art. 3.1 (2) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Cash	Yes. Cash, receivables and liabilities over BGN 5 thousand in local or foreign currency (Art. 3.1 (3) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Loans and Debts	Yes. Cash, receivables and liabilities over BGN 5 thousand in local or foreign currency (Art. 3.1 (3) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Income from outside employment/assets	Yes. Income, other than those for the position occupied by the persons under Article 2, paragraph 1 (Definition of Senior Public Officials) and 3 (underage children and spouses), received during the preceding calendar year if they exceed BGN 2000. (Art. 3.1 (6) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official	Yes. Gifts and benefits exceeding statutory thresholds must be declared as part of financial disclosure obligations. (Art. 37 (1) (10), Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. A person holding public office must file a declaration stating circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, in the board of directors or as an officer and in the management or control of legal persons NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. A civil servant is required each year to declare in writing to the appointing authority any commercial, financial or other business interests that he/she or related parties have in connection with the functions of the administration in which they operate. (Art. 14 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. A person holding public office must file a declaration stating circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, in the board of directors or as an officer and in the management or control of legal persons NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. A civil servant is required each year to declare in writing to the appointing authority any commercial, financial or other business interests that he/she or related parties have in connection with the functions of the administration in which they operate. (Art. 14 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Holding government contracts	Yes. There is no general requirement to declare government contracts, but a person holding public office must file a declaration stating contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to the decisions made by the public office holder within the range of the official powers or duties thereof. In the case of high-ranking public officials state-owned enterprises probably fall under this category in most of the cases (Art. 14 (1) 3 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A person holding public office must file a declaration stating circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, in the board of directors or as an officer and in the management or control of legal persons NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. (Art. 14 (1) 1 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Post-employment	No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. Obligation to abstain from decision-making in situations of conflict of interest. (Art. 56, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Filing frequency
Filing required upon taking office	Yes. Income and assets must be disclosed within one month of assuming office. A person holding a senior public office shall submit a declaration of incompatibility within 7 days of his/her selection for the office. A person holding a senior public office shall submit a declartion of private interests within 30 days of taking office (Art. 4.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 13 and Art. 14 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Filing required upon leaving office	Yes. Income and assets must be disclosed within one month of leaving office. (Art. 4.1 (1) Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Filing required annually	Yes. In case of changes of income and assets over the last year must be submitted by 30 April of the current year. In case of no changes the Head of the National Audit Office should be notified with a letter by 30 April. (Art. 4.1 (2) and Art. 4.4 of Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest	Yes. In case of changes of income and assets over the last year must be submitted by 30 April of the current year. In case of no changes the Head of the National Audit Office should be notified with a letter by 30 April. Changes to the declartions could be made by 31 May of the current year. A person holding a public office shall submit a declaration of changes in incompatibility and private interest circumstances within 7 days of the occurrence of the change. He/she can also submit an ad hoc declaration of a private interest. (Art. 4.1 (2), Art. 4.4 and 4.6 of Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Article 15 and 16 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions
Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Late filing of the declaration of assets: 1000-1500 BGN, 2500-5000 for a second violation; Late filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation (Art. 8 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016); Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Non-filing of the declaration of assets: 1000-1500 BGN, 2500-5000 for a second violation; Non-filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation (Art. 8 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016); Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. A person who makes a false statement in a written declaration submitted to state authorities is subject to criminal liability. The criminal sanctions may range from 3-years imprisonment to a fine. They are imposed through criminal proceedings by a court of law. (Article 313 of the Penal Code (1968, last amended 2016))
Monitoring and Oversight
Depository body explicitly identified	Yes. The depository body is the Chairman of the National Audit Office. The Declarations of conflict of interest are submitted to the Permanent Committee of the Parliament. Declarations submitted to the Commission for Counteracting Corruption. (Art 5 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 17.1 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 6 + Art. 13, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Enforcement body explicitly identified	Yes. The Chairperson of the National Audit Office is the body in charge of the execution of the Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act of 2000. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest (Art 5 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, amended 2015) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission	Yes. The National Audit Office is tasked with verifying submissions. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest. (Art 7 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 46, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy	Yes. The National Audit Office officials shall be responsible for verifying the accuracy of income and asset declarations. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the Permanent Committee of the Parliament notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest. Then the Commission is in charge of investigating the notification. (Art 7 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 47, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Public access to declarations
Public availability	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Timing of information release specified	No. Two months within the submission of the declarations of assets. (Art 6.2 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016))
Location(s) of access specified	Yes. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Cost of access specified	Yes. The access of free of costs. Income and asset declarations are publicly available on the internet web-page of the National Audit Office with respect to data protection rules. The declarations of conflict of interest are published on the website of the Permanent Committee of the Parliament with respect to data protection rules. (Art 6.1 Public Disclosure of Senior Public Official's Financial Interests Act (2000, last amended 2016) Art 17.2 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Civil servants
Disclosure items
Spouses and children included in disclosure	No. Absent from legal framework.
Income and Assets
Real estate	Yes. Upon taking office, each civil servant shall be obligated to disclose the financial interests thereof to the appointing authority, including real estate (Art. 29 Civil Servants Act (adopted 1999, last amended 2016) Annex to the Ordinance on documents required for taking public office (adopted 2011, last amended 2012))
Movable assets	Yes. Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (Art. 6 + Art. 35, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Cash	Yes. Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (Art. 6 + Art. 35, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Loans and Debts	Yes. Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (Art. 6 + Art. 35, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Income from outside employment/assets	Yes. Upon taking office, each civil servant shall be obligated to disclose the financial interests thereof to the appointing authority, including income from outside employment (Art. 29 Civil Servants Act (adopted 1999, last amended 2016) Annex to the Ordinance on documents required for taking public office (adopted 2011, last amended 2012))
Incompatibilities
Gifts received as a public official	Yes. Having a private interest includes also financial and non-financial benefit. Benefit include also obtaining or receiving a promise to obtain a job, a position, a gift, a reward.. (Article 2(3) of the Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act 2008, amended 2016 Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, amended 2023))
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. A person holding a public position cannot hold offices or carry out activities that are incompatible with his public office and the Constitution. He/she should declare any circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, board of directors or management of NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. (Art. 6 and Art. 14.1 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. A person holding a public position shall not have the right to dispose of state or municipal property, to spend budgetary resources, including funds from funds belonging to the European Union or granted by the European Union to the Bulgarian State, to issue certificates, licenses or licenses or to carry out control of these activities in the interest of non-profit legal persons, commercial companies or cooperatives in which it or related with him, persons are members of a management or controlling body, managers, partners or hold shares or shares. A person holding a public position shall not be entitled to carry out the activities under para. 1 and in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which it was a member of a management or controlling body, a manager, a partner, or holding shares or shares 12 months prior to the date of his election or appointment or while in office. (Art. 9 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Holding government contracts	Yes. A person holding a public position cannot represent the country in cases, where he-she has a private interest in the decision. He must declare contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to his/her official powers or duties. (Art. 6 and Art. 14.1 (3) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A person holding a public position cannot hold offices or carry out activities that are incompatible with his public office and the Constitution. He/she should declare any circumstances which would lead to a conflict of interest, such as: participation in companies, board of directors or management of NGOs and corporations, as well as conducting business as a sole trader. (Art. 6 and Art. 14.1 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Post-employment	Yes. A person holding a public position may not use or authorize the use in private interest of information, obtained in the performance of his or her duties or duties while in office, and one year after leaving, unless otherwise provided in a special law. Post-employment restriction reinforced by general anti-corruption framework. (Art. 10 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 58, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	No. Absent from legal framework.
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. A person holding a public position cannot represent the country in cases, where he-she has a private interest in the decision. A person holding a public position shall not be entitled to participate in the preparation, negotiating, accepting, issuing or enacting acts, performing control or investigative functions or imposing sanctions in private interest. Such a person is not entitled to conclude contracts or perform other activities in the private interest in performance of his powers or duties. He must declare contracts with any persons who or which carry out any activity in areas related to his/her official powers or duties. (Art. 6, 8 and Art. 14.1 (3) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Concurrent employment of family members in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Filing frequency
Filing required upon taking office	Yes. Income and assets declaration is submitted upon taking office A person holding public office shall submit a declaration of incompatibility within 7 days of his/her selection for the office. A person holding public office shall submit a declaration of private interests within 30 days of taking office (Art. 29.1 Civil Servants Act (adopted 1999, last amended 2016) Art. 13 and Art. 14 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Filing required upon leaving office	No. within one month from the release from office; within one month from the expiry of one year after the submission of the declaration submitted after the release from office No general obligation for ordinary civil servants to file declarations upon leaving office under the Civil Servants Act. (Art. 29, Civil Servants Act (1999, as amended))
Filing required annually	Yes. Civil servants must submit income and asset declarations annually before the 30th day of April. If there are no changes, the civil servant shall notify its employer with a letter (Article 29.2 and 29.4 of the Civil Servants Act, 1999 (adopted 1999, last amended 2016))
Ad hoc filing required upon change in assets or conflicts of interest	Yes. A person holding a public office shall submit a declaration of changes in incompatibility and private interest circumstances within 7 days of the occurrence of the change. He/she can also submit an ad hoc declaration of a private interest. (Article 15 and 16 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions
Sanctions stipulated for late filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Late filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation ( Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for non-filing (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. Non-filing of of the declaration of conflict of interest: 1000-3000 BGN, 3000-5000 BGN for a second violation ( Art. 34 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Sanctions stipulated for false disclosure (fines, administrative, and/or criminal)	Yes. A person who makes a false statement in a written declaration submitted to state authorities is subject to criminal liability. The criminal sanctions may range from 3-years imprisonment to a fine. They are imposed through criminal proceedings by a court of law. (Article 313 of the Penal Code (1968, last amended 2016))
Monitoring and Oversight
Depository body explicitly identified	Yes. The declaration of assets and conflict of interest are submitted to the appointing institution. (Article 29 of the Civil Servants Act (adopted 1999, last amended 2016) Art. 17.1 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Enforcement body explicitly identified	No. No clear enforcement body for the declarations of assets. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the appointing institution notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest Oversight divided between administrative hierarchy (employment-related disclosures) and anti-corruption commission (conflict of interest). (Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 13, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying submission	No. No clear enforcement body for the declarations of assets. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the appointing institution notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest Oversight divided between administrative hierarchy (employment-related disclosures) and anti-corruption commission (conflict of interest). (Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 13, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Some agency assigned responsibility for verifying accuracy	No. No clear enforcement body for the declarations of assets. In cases of unfulfilment of requirements on the declarations of conflict of interest the appointing institution notifies the Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest Oversight divided between administrative hierarchy (employment-related disclosures) and anti-corruption commission (conflict of interest). (Art. 18 in conjunction with Art. 25.2 (1) Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016) Art. 13, Counter-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Assets Act (2018, as amended 2023))
Public access to declarations
Public availability	Yes. The declarations of interests shall be published on the internet web-page of the appointing institution (not enforced). (Article 17 of the Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Timing of information release specified	No. Absent from legal framework.
Location(s) of access specified	Yes. The declarations of interests shall be published on the internet web-page of the appointing institution (not enforced). (Article 17 of the Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))
Cost of access specified	Yes. The declarations of interests shall be published on the internet web-page of the appointing institution (not enforced). (Art 17 Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, last amended 2016))

Legislation

Counter-Corruption and Unlawfully Acquired Assets Forfeiture Act of 2018_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Penal Code of 1968_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Law on Civil Servants of 1999_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf

*Last update: 2017

Conflict of Interest

Both the Bulgarian Constitution (1991, last amended in 2007) and the Conflict of Interest Prevention and Ascertainment Act (2008, as last amended in 2016) regulate that the Head of State, Ministers, and Members of Parliament must generally avoid conflicts of interests. Additionally, it is not allowed to accept gifts or to hold a post which is incompatible with the status of public official. This limitation puts a particular focus on the possible involvement in the management or supervision of private companies. They also may not use any information obtained in their position to serve private interests for one year after ending tenure. The same rules apply to Civil Servants, as laid down in the Code of Conduct for employees of the state (2004). Here Civil Servants are explicitly prevented from being unlimited partners, directors, managers, or advisors of a commercial company.

While no sanctions are specified for violating behavior of the Head of State, Ministers and MPs may face fines ranging from BGN 1.000 to BGN 10.000. Civil Servants mainly face disciplinary sanctions ranging from reprimand to discharge. The Commission for Prevention and Ascertainment of Conflict of Interest serves as the monitoring and enforcement body for Head of State and Ministers, while the Anti-Corruption, Conflicts of Interest and Parliamentary Ethics Committee is tasked with these functions for MPs. While no monitoring body is specified for Civil Servants, the Appointing Authority becomes active as enforcement body.

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Restrictions	20	20	20	20	18	82
Sanctions	0	25	25	0	0	42
Monitoring and Oversight	25	25	25	25	12	100
Alternative Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Head of State	0	0	0	0	0	63
Ministers	3	14	14	3	3	86
Members of Parliament	27	38	38	27	10	86
Civil servants	30	41	41	30	27	64

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Head of State
Restrictions
General restriction on conflict of interest	Yes. The counteraction of corruption shall be carried out through, inter alia, measures aimed at identifying and sactioning conflicts of interest, as well as through the public disclosure of the names of the persons who have not submitted declarations, or in whose declarations a discrepancy has been established, and of the names of the persons for whom a conflict of interests has been established. The Anti-Corruption Law of 2018 is applicable to the Head of State, i.e. the President. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 3 (1) 7. 8. and 6 (1) 1.)
Accepting gifts	Yes. A conflict of interest arises when a person holding a senior public office has a private interest that may affect the impartial and objective performance of his or her powers or duties. Any interest which leads to a benefit of a material or intangible nature for a person holding a senior public office or for persons related to them, including any obligation assumed, is private. Benefit is any income in cash or in property, including the acquisition of shares or stocks, as well as the provision, transfer or waiver of rights, receipt of goods or services free of charge or at prices below market, obtaining a privilege or honor, help, voice, support or influence, advantage, receipt or promise of work, position, gift, reward or promise to avoid loss, liability, sanction or other adverse event. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 52, 53 and 54)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. The President and the Vice President shall not engage in any other state, public or economic activity, nor shall they participate in the leadership of any political party. A person holding a senior public position (here included the President) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 95 (2) Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. The President and the Vice President shall not engage in any other state, public or economic activity, nor shall they participate in the leadership of any political party. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 95 (2) Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Holding government contracts	Yes. A person holding a senior public position, who in the last one year from the performance of their powers or duties has participated in the conduct of public procurement procedures or in procedures related to the provision of funds belonging to or granted by the EU to the Bulgarian state, shall not have the right for one year from his/her dismissal to participate or represent a natural or legal person in such proceedings before the institution in which he/she held the position or before a legal entity controlled by him/her. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 95 (2) Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 69)
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. The President and the Vice President shall not engage in any other state, public or economic activity, nor shall they participate in the leadership of any political party. A person holding a senior public position (here included the President) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 95 (2) Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Post-employment	Yes. A person holding a senior public office shall not have the right to use or authorize the use in the private interest of information obtained in the exercise of his powers or duties while holding office and one year after leaving, unless a special law provides something else. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 60)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	Yes. The President and the Vice President shall not serve as Members of the National Assembly or engage in any other state, public activity, nor shall they participate in the leadership of any political party. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 95 (2))
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. A person holding a senior public position may/shall not: 1. represent the state or the municipality in the cases when there is a private interest in taking a given decision; 2. have the right to vote in private interest in the performance of his/her duties; 3. have the right to use his/her official position to influence in private interest other bodies or persons in the preparation, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts or in the performance of control or investigative functions; 4. have the right to participate in the preparation, discussion, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts, to perform control or investigative functions or to impose sanctions in the private interest. Such a person shall not be entitled to enter into contracts or perform other activities in the private interest in the performance of his or her powers or duties. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 55, 56, 57 and 58)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions
Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. The President and Vice President shall not be held liable for actions committed in the performance of their duties, except for high treason, or a violation of the Constitution (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 103 (1))
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. The President and Vice President shall not be held liable for actions committed in the performance of their duties, except for high treason, or a violation of the Constitution (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 103 (1))
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. The President and Vice President shall not be held liable for actions committed in the performance of their duties, except for high treason, or a violation of the Constitution (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 103 (1))
Monitoring and Oversight
Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking)	Yes. The Commission for Anti-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property implements the state policy on prevention of corruption by: 1. collecting, summarising and analysing information on the national anti-corruption policies and measures; 2. performing analyses, developing and proposing measures for prevention and counteraction of corruption and coordinating their implementation, incl. and by sectors; 3. carrying out activities for dissemination of the information, related to the counteraction of the corruption, including the anti-corruption policies and measures. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 13, 30, 33 and 82)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings)	Yes. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be carried out upon a signal, submitted to the Commission, by a decision of the Commission or at the request of the person, holding a high public position. The establishment of a conflict of interests with an entered into force act shall be grounds for dismissal, except when the Constitution provides otherwise. The release shall be carried out by the order, determined in the respective laws. The decision of the Commission, by which a conflict of interests shall be established, may be challenged by the interested person before the court by the order of the Administrative Procedure Code. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 71, 76 and 80)
Ministers
Restrictions
General restriction on conflict of interest	Yes. The counteraction of corruption shall be carried out through, inter alia, measures aimed at identifying and sactioning conflicts of interest, as well as through the public disclosure of the names of the persons who have not submitted declarations, or in whose declarations a discrepancy has been established, and of the names of the persons for whom a conflict of interests has been established. The Anti-Corruption Law of 2018 is applicable to the Head of State, i.e. the President. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 3 (1) 7. 8. and 6 (1) 3.)
Accepting gifts	Yes. A conflict of interest arises when a person holding a senior public office has a private interest that may affect the impartial and objective performance of his or her powers or duties. Any interest which leads to a benefit of a material or intangible nature for a person holding a senior public office or for persons related to them, including any obligation assumed, is private. Benefit is any income in cash or in property, including the acquisition of shares or stocks, as well as the provision, transfer or waiver of rights, receipt of goods or services free of charge or at prices below market, obtaining a privilege or honor, help, voice, support or influence, advantage, receipt or promise of work, position, gift, reward or promise to avoid loss, liability, sanction or other adverse event. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 52, 53 and 54)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. A member of the Council of Ministers shall not hold a post or engage in any activity incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. Member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity. A person holding a senior public position (here included the Ministers) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, Arts. 108(1) and 113; Law on Counteracting Corruption (2023).)
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. A member of the Council of Ministers shall not hold a post or engage in any activity incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. Member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, Arts. 108(1) and 113; Law on Counteracting Corruption (2023).)
Holding government contracts	Yes. A person holding a senior public position, who in the last one year from the performance of their powers or duties has participated in the conduct of public procurement procedures or in procedures related to the provision of funds belonging to or granted by the EU to the Bulgarian state, shall not have the right for one year from his/her dismissal to participate or represent a natural or legal person in such proceedings before the institution in which he/she held the position or before a legal entity controlled by him/her. (Law on Counteracting Corruption (2023).)
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A member of the Council of Ministers shall not hold a post or engage in any activity incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. Member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity. A person holding a senior public position (here included the Ministers) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Arts. 68, 108 (1) and 113 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Post-employment	Yes. A person holding a senior public office shall not have the right to use or authorize the use in the private interest of information obtained in the exercise of his powers or duties while holding office and one year after leaving, unless a special law provides something else. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 60)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	Yes. A member of the Council of Ministers shall not hold a post or engage in any activity incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. Member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Arts. 68, 108 (1) and 113)
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. A person holding a senior public position may/shall not: 1. represent the state or the municipality in the cases when there is a private interest in taking a given decision; 2. have the right to vote in private interest in the performance of his/her duties; 3. have the right to use his/her official position to influence in private interest other bodies or persons in the preparation, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts or in the performance of control or investigative functions; 4. have the right to participate in the preparation, discussion, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts, to perform control or investigative functions or to impose sanctions in the private interest. Such a person shall not be entitled to enter into contracts or perform other activities in the private interest in the performance of his or her powers or duties. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 55, 56, 57 and 58)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions
Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	Yes. Generally, a person holding a high public position who violates a provision of Section II of Chapter Eight on conflicts of interest shall be punished with a fine in the amount of BGN 5,000 to 10,000. There are specific provisions for different violations, with sactions that vary in severity and in the amount of fines to be paid. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178)
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	Yes. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be grounds for dismissal, except when the Constitution provides otherwise. Additionally, a person holding a high public position who violates a provision of Section II of Chapter Eight on conflicts of interest shall be punished with a fine in the amount of BGN 5,000 to 10,000. There are specific provisions for different violations, with sactions that vary in severity and in the amount of fines to be paid. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 80, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178)
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. The acts for establishment of the violations shall be drawn up by officials determined by the chairman of the Commission, and the penal decrees shall be issued by the chairman of the Commission. The acts for establishing a violation under art. 173 and 174 on the declarations of incompatibility shall be drawn up by persons authorized by the selection or appointment body. Penal decrees are issued by the selection or appointment body. The drawing up of the acts, the issuance, the appeal and the execution of the penal decrees shall be carried out by the order of the Law for the administrative violations and punishments . (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 177)
Monitoring and Oversight
Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking)	Yes. The Commission for Anti-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property implements the state policy on prevention of corruption by: 1. collecting, summarising and analysing information on the national anti-corruption policies and measures; 2. performing analyses, developing and proposing measures for prevention and counteraction of corruption and coordinating their implementation, incl. and by sectors; 3. carrying out activities for dissemination of the information, related to the counteraction of the corruption, including the anti-corruption policies and measures. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 13, 30, 33 and 82)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings)	Yes. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be carried out upon a signal, submitted to the Commission, by a decision of the Commission or at the request of the person, holding a high public position. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be grounds for dismissal, except when the Constitution provides otherwise. The release shall be carried out by the order, determined in the respective laws. The decision of the Commission, by which a conflict of interests shall be established, may be challenged by the interested person before the court by the order of the Administrative Procedure Code. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 71, 76 and 80)
Members of Parliament
Restrictions
General restriction on conflict of interest	Yes. The Member of the National Assembly shall not allow himself or herself to be placed in financial dependence or other affiliation with natural or legal persons, which could influence the exercise of his/her powers. The Member of the National Assembly shall exercise his/her powers without seeking or receiving material or other benefit for himself/herself or for the persons related to him/her within the meaning of the Prevention and Establishment of Conflict of Interests Act. (Rules of Organisation and Procedure of the National Assembly of 2017, as amended in 2020, Art. 145 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 3 (1) 7. 8. and 6 (1) 2.)
Accepting gifts	Yes. A conflict of interest arises when a person holding a senior public office has a private interest that may affect the impartial and objective performance of his or her powers or duties. Any interest which leads to a benefit of a material or intangible nature for a person holding a senior public office or for persons related to them, including any obligation assumed, is private. Benefit is any income in cash or in property, including the acquisition of shares or stocks, as well as the provision, transfer or waiver of rights, receipt of goods or services free of charge or at prices below market, obtaining a privilege or honor, help, voice, support or influence, advantage, receipt or promise of work, position, gift, reward or promise to avoid loss, liability, sanction or other adverse event. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 52, 53 and 54)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. A member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity which the law defines as incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. A person holding a senior public position (here included Members of Parliament) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 68 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	Yes. A member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity which the law defines as incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 68 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Holding government contracts	Yes. A person holding a senior public position, who in the last one year from the performance of their powers or duties has participated in the conduct of public procurement procedures or in procedures related to the provision of funds belonging to or granted by the EU to the Bulgarian state, shall not have the right for one year from his/her dismissal to participate or represent a natural or legal person in such proceedings before the institution in which he/she held the position or before a legal entity controlled by him/her. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 68 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 69)
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity which the law defines as incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. A person holding a senior public position (here included Members of Parliament) shall not have the right to perform or exercise control over ownership-related activities in the interest of non-profit legal entities, commercial companies or cooperatives in which they or their related persons are members of a management or control body, managers, partners or hold units or shares. This prohibition is applicable one year before the date of their election or appointment, or until they hold the position. More generally, persons holding high public positions shall submit to the Commission a declaration for property and interests in the country and abroad, in which they shall declare, among other things, available securities, shares in limited liability companies and limited partnerships and financial instruments under Art. 3 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Act. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 68 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 37 (5) and 59)
Post-employment	Yes. A person holding a senior public office shall not have the right to use or authorize the use in the private interest of information obtained in the exercise of his powers or duties while holding office and one year after leaving, unless a special law provides something else. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 60)
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	Yes. A member of the National Assembly shall not occupy another state post, nor shall engage in any other activity which the law defines as incompatible with the status of a Member of the National Assembly. (Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991, as amended in 2015, Art. 68)
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. A person holding a senior public position may/shall not: 1. represent the state or the municipality in the cases when there is a private interest in taking a given decision; 2. have the right to vote in private interest in the performance of his/her duties; 3. have the right to use his/her official position to influence in private interest other bodies or persons in the preparation, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts or in the performance of control or investigative functions; 4. have the right to participate in the preparation, discussion, adoption, issuance or enactment of acts, to perform control or investigative functions or to impose sanctions in the private interest. Such a person shall not be entitled to enter into contracts or perform other activities in the private interest in the performance of his or her powers or duties. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 55, 56, 57 and 58)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions
Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	Yes. Generally, a person holding a high public position who violates a provision of Section II of Chapter Eight on conflicts of interest shall be punished with a fine in the amount of BGN 5,000 to 10,000. There are specific provisions for different violations, with sactions that vary in severity and in the amount of fines to be paid. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178)
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	Yes. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be grounds for dismissal, except when the Constitution provides otherwise. Additionally, a person holding a high public position who violates a provision of Section II of Chapter Eight on conflicts of interest shall be punished with a fine in the amount of BGN 5,000 to 10,000. There are specific provisions for different violations, with sactions that vary in severity and in the amount of fines to be paid. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 80, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177 and 178)
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. The acts for establishment of the violations shall be drawn up by officials determined by the chairman of the Commission, and the penal decrees shall be issued by the chairman of the Commission. The acts for establishing a violation under art. 173 and 174 on the declarations of incompatibility shall be drawn up by persons authorized by the selection or appointment body. Penal decrees are issued by the selection or appointment body. The drawing up of the acts, the issuance, the appeal and the execution of the penal decrees shall be carried out by the order of the Law for the administrative violations and punishments . (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Art. 177)
Monitoring and Oversight
Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking)	Yes. There is a parliamentary body, the Commission for Fight against Corruption, Conflict of Interest and Parliamentary Ethics, which is a standing (i.e. permanent) committee of the National Assembly, whose members are elected internally from among National Assembly's members on a parity basis - two MPs from each parliamentary group. Additionally, there is the Commission for Anti-Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property implements the state policy on prevention of corruption (Rules of Organisation and Procedure of the National Assembly of 2017, as amended in 2020, Arts. 17 (2) 19., 19, 150 and 153 Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 13, 30, 33 and 82)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings)	Yes. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be carried out upon a signal, submitted to the Commission, by a decision of the Commission or at the request of the person, holding a high public position. The establishment of a conflict of interests shall be grounds for dismissal, except when the Constitution provides otherwise. The release shall be carried out by the order, determined in the respective laws. The decision of the Commission, by which a conflict of interests shall be established, may be challenged by the interested person before the court by the order of the Administrative Procedure Code. (Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018, as amended in 2020, Arts. 71, 76 and 80)
Civil servants
Restrictions
General restriction on conflict of interest	Yes. The activity of the employees in the state administration is carried out in observance of the following principles of conduct: 1. legality; 2. loyalty; 3. good faith; 4. impartiality; 5. equality; 6. responsibility; 7. political neutrality; 8. integrity; 9. confidentiality; 10. accountability; 11. collegiality and politeness. Integrity is the behavior in which the acceptance of material or intangible benefits is not allowed, regardless of their nature, which are not due to the employees and may affect the objective performance of the duties (Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020, as amended in 2020, Art. 2)
Accepting gifts	Yes. The employees in the state administration shall not allow behavior, which involves them in corruption, and shall counteract such manifestations and other illegal actions in the state administration. The employees shall not allow to be placed in economic or other dependence, as well as to request and accept gifts, services, money, benefits or other benefits, which may affect the performance of their official duties. The employees may not accept gifts or benefits for performing work, which is part of their official duties, nor may they perform activity outside their competence. (Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020, as amended in 2020, Art. 11)
Private firm ownership and/or stock holdings	Yes. A person who is a sole trader, an unlimited liability partner in a commercial company, a manager, commercial agent, commercial representative, procurator, commercial intermediary, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy, member of a management or control body of a commercial company or cooperative may not be appointed as a civil servant. (Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Art. 7 (2))
Ownership of state-owned enterprises (SOEs)	No. Absent from legal framework.
Holding government contracts	No. Absent from legal framework.
Board member, advisor, or company officer of private firm	Yes. A person who is a sole trader, an unlimited liability partner in a commercial company, a manager, commercial agent, commercial representative, procurator, commercial intermediary, liquidator or trustee in bankruptcy, member of a management or control body of a commercial company or cooperative may not be appointed as a civil servant. (Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Art. 7 (2))
Post-employment	No. Absent from legal framework.
Simultaneously holding policy-making position and policy-executing position	Yes. For the period of the election campaign during which the civil servant shall run for a mandate position in the bodies of state power, s/he uses their leave under the terms and conditions of the Electoral Code. A civil servant who is elected a Member of Parliament, a Minister, a Mayor or is appointed as a regional governor or a sole body of power, his deputy or a member of a collegial body of power, has the right after the termination of his powers to take his/her previous position. During his/her absence, another person may be appointed to the same post. In cases when this position is closed, the person is offered another equivalent position in the same administration. (Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Art. 65 and Transitional and Final Provisions, § 7)
Participating in official decision-making processes that affect private interests	Yes. The employees in the state administration may not perform an activity in private interest, which is in violation of Chapter Eight of the Anti-Corruption and Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Property Act and Chapter Three of the Ordinance on the Organization and Procedure for Inspection of the declarations and for establishing a conflict of interests, adopted by Decree № 209 of the Council of Ministers of 2018. (Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020, as amended in 2020, Art. 12)
Assisting family or friends in obtaining employment in public sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Sanctions
Fines are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. Absent from legal framework.
Administrative sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	Yes. The disciplinary punishments shall be: 1. note; 2. rebuke; 3. postponement of the promotion to a rank by one year; 4. reduction in a lower rank for a period of 6 months to 1 year; and 5. dismissal. Only one disciplinary sanction may be imposed for the same disciplinary violation. Moreover, the appointing body shall terminate the official legal relation without notice, when a conflict of interests has been ascertained under the Anti-Corruption and Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Property Act. (Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Arts. 90 and 107 (1) 8.)
Penal sanctions are stipulated for violations of COI regulations restricting behavior	No. No penal sanctions are stipulated for specific violations to COI regulations. (Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Arts. 133 and 134)
Monitoring and Oversight
Monitoring body specified (guidance, training, data tracking)	Yes. The immediate supervisor shall exercise control over the compliance of the conduct of the employees with the rules of the Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020 and in case of established violations shall report to the disciplinary sanctioning body. Additionally, the Institute of Public Administration shall ensure the development of a training program containing sample situations in connection with the application of the rules of the Code, including a publicly available electronic training program. (Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020, as amended in 2020, Arts. 24 and 26)
Enforcement body specified (sanctions, hearings)	Yes. In case of non-observance of the norms contained in the Code of Conduct, the employees in the state administration shall bear disciplinary responsibility according to the Law on Civil Servants and the Labor Code. Disciplinary punishments shall be imposed by the appointing body, which becomes the disciplinary sanctioning body. (Code of Conduct for State Administration Employees of 2020, as amended in 2020, Art. 23 Law on Civil Servants of 1999, as amended in 2020, Arts. 92 and 93 )

Legislation

Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria of 1991 (Bulgarian)	pdf
Law Against Corruption and Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property of 2018 (Bulgarian)	pdf
Law on Civil Servants of 1999 (Bulgarian)	pdf
Code of Conduct of Civil Servants of 2020 (Bulgarian)	pdf
Rules for the Organization and Activity of the National Assembly of 2017 (Bulgarian)	pdf

*Last update: 2017

Freedom of Information

Bulgaria's 1991 Constitution provides that access to information is a fundamental freedom. Several pieces of legislation help define this right. First, the Access to Public Information Act (2000, amended 2016) regulates the access to, and re-use of, public sector information. The act applies to state bodies, their regional offices, local self-goverment bodies, public law organizations, and organizations funded by state monies.

The 2000 Act itself provides that government agencies may withhold classified information pertaining to topics like state secrets and ongoing government negotiations. The Protection of Classified Information Act (2002, amended 2016) governs the definition, maintenance, and release of classified information. There is a public interest test whereby exemptions to disclosure may be overridden in cases where the public interest outweighs the prohibition on disclosure.

Appeals can be addressed to the administrative courts or the Supreme Administrative Court. There is no appeals process through public bodies or an independent non-judicial mechanism, such as an information commissioner.

There are administrative sanctions and fines specified for disclosure violations by both individuals and organizations.

Agencies are obliged to appoint officials in their administration, who shall be directly responsible for the provision of public information. Sanctions are applied by the Ministry of Justice, but there is no organization mandated with overseeing FOI implementation.

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024
Scope and Coverage	76	76	76	76	76	93
Information access and release	54	54	54	54	54	100
Exceptions and Overrides	83	83	83	83	83	67
Sanctions for non-compliance	0	0	0	0	0	67
Monitoring and Oversight	0	0	0	0	0	50

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Scope and Coverage
Scope of disclosure
Existence of legal right to access	Yes. Everyone has the right to seek, obtain and disseminate information without having to demonstrate legal need for information. This right cannot be exercised to the detriment of the rights and reputation of other citizens, entities and organizations, the national security, public order, public health and moral standards. Furthermore, the citizens of the country are granted with the right to access government information from the government agencies and other state agencies regarding any matter of legitimate interest which does not constitute a state or official secret and does not affect the rights of the others. (Article 41 of the Bulgarian Constitution, 1991, amended 2015)
"Information" or "Documents" is defined	Yes. (3) Public sector information shall be any kind of information materialized on paper, electronic or other carrier, including if it was held as audio or video record, and collected or generated by a public sector organization. (Article 2 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Proactive disclosure is specified	Yes. Art. 15 (a) (New, SG No. 104/2008) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 97/2015, effective 12.01.2016) The information under Art. 15 shall be published on the websites of the administrative structures in the system of the executive power and of the subjects under art. 3, para. 2, item 1. (2) (Amended, SG No. 97/2015, effective 12.01.2016) In the section "Access to information" on the websites under para. 1, the data under Art. 15, para. 1, items 4 and 11 and the annual reports under para. 2, the existing internal rules regarding the access to public information, the norms for the expenses for providing access to information under Art. 20, para. 2 and re-use of information from the public sector under Art. 41g, the procedure for access to the public registers, kept by the administrative structures in the system of the executive power. (Article 15a of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Coverage of public and private sectors
Executive branch	Yes. Art. 3. (1) (Amended SG No. 104/2008) This act shall apply to access to public information that is created by or kept with the state bodies, their regional offices, and the local selfgovernance bodies of the Republic of Bulgaria, hereinafter referred to as "the bodies". (3) (New, SG No. 49/2007; Amended, SG No. 104/2008) Public sector organizations shall be obliged to provide public sector information for reuse, excluding the cases prescribed by that law. (4) (New, SG No. 49/2007) A public sector organization is any state body, local selfgovernment body, public law organization, as well as their subordinates. (Article 3 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Legislative branch	Yes. Art. 3. (1) (Amended SG No. 104/2008) This act shall apply to access to public information that is created by or kept with the state bodies, their regional offices, and the local selfgovernance bodies of the Republic of Bulgaria, hereinafter referred to as "the bodies". (3) (New, SG No. 49/2007; Amended, SG No. 104/2008) Public sector organizations shall be obliged to provide public sector information for reuse, excluding the cases prescribed by that law. (Article 3 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Judicial branch	Yes. (4) The public sector is subject to this rules. (Article 3 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Other public bodies, including organizations engaging in public/private partnerships.	Yes. (2) (Amended SG No. 104/2008) This act shall also apply to the access to public information, which is created by and kept with: 1. bodies, subject to the public law, other than those under subart. 1, including public law organizations; 2. individuals and legal entities as far as only their activities financed with funds from the consolidated state budget, subsidies from the European Union funds or allocated through EU projects and programs, are concerned. (Article 3 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Private sector	No. Absent from legal framework.
Access to specific documents (subject to reactive and/or proactive disclosure)
Draft legal instruments	Yes. The government agencies which are preparing drafts on legal acts, shall first publish those drafts on the respective government agency’s internet website and prior the draft’s official promulgation, along with the draft’s brief and motives. Within 14 days of the draft’s online publication, all interested parties may make proposals and suggest alterations to the draft of the legal act. (Article 26 of the Law on Statutory Instruments, 1973, amended 2016)
Enacted legal instruments	Yes. All legal acts are required to be promulgated and come into force three days after their publication. All enacted legal instruments shall be promulgated. The laws, Ministerial decrees and decrees of Ministers and Head of other government agencies shall be promulgated in one issue of the Bulgarian State Gazette, while the European Union Regulations shall be promulgated in the EU Official Gazette in Bulgarian language. All texts of statutory administrative acts shall be authenticated and promulgated in the State Gazette, except for the acts of the municipal councils which shall be published through the local press or other suitable means. The access to official information contained in normative acts is being provided to the public through the legal acts’ promulgation. In request for access to official information, the government agencies are obliged to state the number, the date and the title of the issue where the information was published. (Article 5 of the Constitution, 1991, amended 2015 Articles 37 and 38 of the Law on Statutory Instruments, 1973, amended 2016 Article 78 of the Administrative Procedure Code, 2006, amended 2022 Article 12 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023 )
Annual budgets	Yes. The structure of the state budget shall be defined by a Ministerial decree within one month from the promulgation of the Annual State Budget Act in the State Gazette. The latter is promulgated annually in the State Gazette. (According to Article 79 of Public Finance Act, 2013, amended 2016)
Annual chart of accounts (actual expenditures)	Yes. There is no explicit provision requiring the government entities to publish their chart of accouts and to allow citizens to request such information, however access to administrative public information is not restricted. (Article 11 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Annual reports of public entities and programs	Yes. The public agencies are required to publish annual reports on the application for access to public information, as well as the agencies’ functions and structure. Article 16 expands this duty and requires the Minister of the State Administration and Administrative Reform to publish an annual summary containing a description of his powers and data on the organization, functions and responsibilities of the administration managed and other key issues. The government entities are required to prepare reports regarding the state of their administration and publish them on the respective internet website or make it public by other means by February 28 of each calendar year. (Article 15 and 16 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023 Article 62 of the Administration Act, 1998, amended 2023)
Information access and release
Procedural access
Universal access (agencies, citizens and non-citizens)	Yes. Art. 4. (1) Any citizen of the Republic of Bulgaria is entitled to access to public information subject to the conditions and the procedure set forth in this act, unless another act provides for a special procedure to seek, receive and impart such information. (2) Foreign citizens and individuals with no citizenship shall enjoy the right under subart. 1 in the Republic of Bulgaria. (3) Legal entities shall enjoy the right under subart. 1 too. (4) (New, SG No. 49/2007) Persons under subart. 1, 2, 3 shall have the right of reuse of public sector information. (Article 4 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Type of request is specified (written, electronic, oral)	Yes. Art. 24. (1) The request for granting access to public information shall be made in the form of a written application or verbal request. (2) The application is deemed written also in cases where it is sent electronically subject to conditions determined by the respective body. (3) Where the applicant is not granted access to public information requested in oral form, or he/she considers the disclosed public information insufficient, he/she may file a written application. (Article 24 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Assistance to requesters must be provided by law (includes barriers due to language differences, illiteracy, complexity of requests, etc.)	Yes. (4) Persons with impaired sight, hearing or speech are entitled to request access in a form that corresponds to their ability to communicate. (Article 26 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Cost of access is specified (free, request fees, photocopying costs, other administrative costs)	Yes. The access to public information must be provided free of charge and if an expense is incurret for the release of the information, the requesting party shall be charged for the costs incurred. (Article 20 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Deadlines for release of information
20-day response deadline	Yes. Answers to inquiries must be provided as soon as possible and no later than 14 days of the date of registration of the inquiry. (Article 28 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Agency granted right to extend response time	Yes. The time period for response by the government agency may be extended with 10 days if the information requested is of substantial volume. The explicit criteria for allowing extended reposnse time of additional 14 days from the initial request, is specified. (Articles 30 & 31 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Maximum total response time of no more than 40 days	Yes. The initial response time must be no more than 14 days and according to Article 30 this term can be extended with additional 10 days in case the information requested is of substantial volume. Where the information requested concerns a third party whose consent is necessary for the information to be released, the initial 14-day period may be extended with additional 14 days. The extensions allowed together with the initial 14-day response time allow a maximum response time of 28 days. (Articles 28, 30 & 31 of Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Exceptions and Overrides
Exemptions to disclosure
Existence of secrecy/states secrets law	Yes. Classified information is available only to people who “need to know” and becomes available to everyone only after the expiration of the time limits for protection. (Protection of Classified Information Act, 2002, amended 2023)
Existence of personal privacy/data law	Yes. Personal Data Protection Act 2002, amended 2019 (Personal Data Protection Act 2002, amended 2023)
Specific exemptions to disclosure	Yes. Information may be withheld by the government agencies if it is classified and constitutes state or other protected secret, relates to preparatory work of an act of the agencies and has no significance in itself (opinions, comments), is related to ongoing negotiations led by the government agency or where the disclosure of such information may result in unfair competition. (Articles 7, 13 and 17 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Public Interest test: Specified exemptions to disclosure may be overridden in cases where disclosure of information benefits the public interest.
Appeals
Appeals allowed within public entities	No. Absent from legal framework.
Independent, non-judicial appeals mechanism, e.g., information commissioner. Does not include Ombudsman unless appeals decisions are binding.	No. Absent from legal framework.
Judicial appeals mechanism	Yes. Appeals can be addressed before the respective administrative court, by the order of the Administrative Procedure Code. The decision of the administrative court shall not be subject to cassation challenge. (Article 40 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Sanctions for non-compliance
Administrative sanctions are specified for violations of disclosure requirements	Yes. Violations of the Act will be subject to administrative sanctions provided by the Administrative Violations and Penalties Act. Public censure or a temporary deprivation of the right to practice a certain profession or activity is allowed Administrative sanctions are applied to the government and its agencies for the failure to provide information. (Article 44 of Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023 Articles 13-16 & 28(3) of the Administrative Procedure Code, 2006, amended 2023)
Fines are specified for violations of disclosure requirements	Yes. Fines are levied on the government or its agencies for the failure to provide information. Specifically, the fines range from 50 to 2,000 leva, depending upon who violated the law. (Article 42 of Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Criminal sanctions are specified for violations of disclosure requirements	No. Absent from legal framework.
Monitoring and Oversight
Information officers must be appointed in public agencies	Yes. The administrative entities are required to publish the name, address, telephone numbers and the working hours of the point of contact for FOI requests. § 18. The bodies under art. 3, subart. 1 are obliged to appoint officials in the respective administration, who shall be directly responsible for the provision of public information, as well as to establish a proper place for reading the provided information, within six months after this act becomes effective. (Article 15 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023 Final provisions to the Access to Public Information Amendment Act (Promulgated – SG. No. 49/2007), Section 18, included in the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Public body that is responsible for applying sanctions	Yes. AArt. 43. (Amended, SG No. 49/2007) (1) (Supplemented, SG No. 50/2016, effective 01.07.2016) Violations under this Act shall be established by the officials. persons appointed by the Minister of Justice in the cases under Art. 3, para. 2 or by the respective authority in the other cases. The violations under Art. 15g, para. 2 shall be established by the officials, authorized by the chairman of the State Agency "Electronic Government". (2) The penal decrees shall be issued as follows: 1. under Art. 42, para. 1 - by the respective authority under Art. 3, para. 1 or by an employee authorized by him; 2. under Art. 42, para. 2 - by the persons and by the order of art. 306 of the Administrative Procedure Code ; 3. (suppl. - SG, iss. 50 in 2016, in force from 01.07.2016) under Art. 42, para. 3 regarding art. 14 , 15 , 15a , 15b , art. 15c, para. 3 and Art. 31, para. 3 - by the respective body, and in the cases when the obligated subject is from the ones indicated in art. 3, para. 2 - by the Minister of Justice or by an employee authorized by him; 4. (New, SG No. 50/2016, effective 01.07.2016) under Art. 42, para. 3 regarding art. 15g, para. 2 - by the Chairman of the State Agency "Electronic Government" or by officials authorized by him; 5. (suppl. - SG, iss. 97 in 2015, in force from 12.01.2016, previous item 4 - SG, iss. 50 in 2016, in force from 01.07.2016) under Art. 42, para. 4 and 5 - by the Minister of Justice or by an employee authorized by him (Article 43 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)
Public body that is responsible for public outreach (raising public awareness)	No. Absent from legal framework.
Nodal agency for RTI (implementation support/compliance within public sector). Does not include Ombudsman.	No. Absent from legal framework.
Ombudsman involvement in implementation is specified by law	No. Absent from legal framework.
Reporting of data and/or implementation is required	Yes. Art. 16. (1) The State Agency for Electronic Governance prepares a three-yearly summary report on the availability of re-use information provided by public sector organizations, the conditions under which it is provided and the legal remedies. Public sector organizations send annually to the administration of the Council of Ministers reports on these circumstances. (2) The report shall be made public and shall be made available to the European Commission. (Article 16 of the Access to Public Information Act, 2000, amended 2023)

Legislation

Constitution of Bulgaria of 1991_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Law on Access to Public Information of 2000_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Law on Statutory Instruments of 1973_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Administrative Procedure Code of 2006_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Administration Act of 1998 _BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Public Finance Act of 2013_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Protection of Classified Information Act of 2002_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf
Personal Data Protection Act of 2002_BUL (Bulgarian)	pdf

*Last update: 2017

Public Procurement

The Bulgarian public procurement system is regulated by the Public Procurement Act of 2004, followed by further secondary legislation. The public procurement body is the Public Procurement Agency, located under the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism.

The lowest minimum thresholds for conducting a public procurement tender are:

▪         BGN 30000 (ca. EUR 15000) for goods

▪         BGN 50000 (ca. EUR 25000) for works

▪         BGN 30000 (ca. EUR 15000) for services

The minimum number of bidders is 5 for restricted procedures and 3 for negotiated procedures. The minimum submission period is 35 days for open procedures, 30 days for restricted procedures and 30 for negotiated procedures from dispatch date. The final beneficial owners do not have to be disclosed when placing a bid.

There is no preferential treatment. However, SMEs were advantaged before 2009. Furthermore, there are several options for bid exclusion: abnormally low offer price, and also criminal conviction for economic/financial crimes, bankruptcy, conflict of interest etc.

In the bid evaluation phase, there are conflict of interest restrictions on the composition of the evaluation committee. There is also a requirement that some part of the evaluation committee be independent of the contracting authority.

There is a payable fee in case of an arbitration procedure (the amounts are set out in the Rules and Statutes of the Arbitration Court of Bulgaria).

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024
Scope	89	88	90	93	90
Information availability	82	82	82	32	97
Evaluation	81	81	94	81	88
Open competition	64	64	64	75	67
Institutional arrangements	29	29	29	21	43

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Scope
Threshold - lowest PP
What is the minimum contract value above which the Public Procurement Act is applied? (Product type GOODS)	BGN 30,000. For supply contracts at or above BGN 30,000, the PPA fully applies: announcing, documentation, open/restricted/negotiated procedures, with all transparency and audit requirements as per Arts. 19 and 20. Direct award allowed only below this limit. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
What is the minimum contract value above which the Public Procurement Act is applied? (Product type WORKS)	BGN 50,000. Works (construction) contracts are subject to the PPA when the estimated value is BGN 50,000 or more; direct award restrictions and written records apply below this threshold. Standard, competitive procedures (open, restricted, negotiated, etc.) must be used for contracts exceeding BGN 50,000. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
What is the minimum contract value above which the Public Procurement Act is applied? (Product type SERVICES)	BGN 30,000. Service contracts above BGN 30,000 are fully regulated by the PPA. Announcement, documentation, and competitive methods (open, restricted, competitive dialogue, negotiated) must be used unless special exemptions apply. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
Threshold - by PP type
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: PUBLIC SECTOR)	BGN 30,000. All contracts above BGN 30,000 (supplies/services) and BGN 50,000 (works) by public authorities must use regulated, competitive procedures. Contracts above sector/EU thresholds intensify obligations for publication and award scrutiny. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: UTILITIES)	BGN 30,000. Utilities (energy, water, transport, postal) fall under the PPA when contract values exceed BGN 30,000. Upper sectoral thresholds (BGN 430,000, BGN 10 million, etc.) apply for specific compliance/publication steps per law. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20, 123)
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Entity: DEFENCE)	BGN 280,000. Defence/security contracts: BGN 10 million for works, BGN 280,000 for supplies/services, BGN 1,000,000 for special services; direct awards below threshold require a written contract, but are otherwise exempt from regulated procedures. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
Threshold - by product type
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type GOODS)	BGN 30,000. Supply contracts above BGN 30,000 are covered by PPA competitive procedure rules. For contracts above BGN 280,000, additional EU notice/publication and procedural rules apply. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type WORKS)	BGN 50,000. Works contracts follow PPA for values above BGN 50,000; contracts above the EU threshold of BGN 10 million are subject to international publication, extra evaluation, and wider competition. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
What are the minimum application thresholds for the procurement type? (Product type SERVICES)	BGN 30,000. Services: PPA applies from BGN 30,000; contracts above BGN 1 million (Annex 2) are subject to special procedure requirements. (PPA 2016, Arts. 19, 20)
Information availability
Publishing and record keeping
Is there a requirement that tender documents must published in full?	Yes. Full publication of tender documents through the electronic platform is mandatory. All standard and special documentation (forms, instructions, draft contracts, technical/investment files, evaluation matrix, required statements) are available digitally and free of charge, ensuring simultaneous non-discriminatory access to all potential bidders. (PPA 2016, Arts. 31, 32, 36)
Are any of these documents published online at a central place?	Yes. The Public Procurement Portal (https://www2.aop.bg) serves as the national electronic register. All notices, documentation, award and contract records, amendments and archives related to public procurement are published here for public access. Publication is legally binding and provides authenticity to the procedure. (PPA 2016, Art. 35)
Is it mandatory to keep all of these records? -Public notices of bidding opportunities, -Bidding documents and addenda, -Bid opening records, -Bid evaluation reports, -Formal appeals by bidders and outcomes, -Final signed contract documents and addenda and amendments, -Claims and dispute resolutions, -Final payments, -Disbursement data (as required by the country’s financial management system)	Yes. Electronic storage of all procurement records, including justifications, notifications, communications, tenders, scores, reports, performance documentation, and dispute resolution, is required by law. Records must be kept for at least five years, and are subject to audit and possible public access. (PPA 2016, Arts. 36, 121, 122)
Are contracts awarded within a framework agreement published (ie mini contracts)?	Yes. For framework agreements and dynamic purchase systems, contracting authorities submit quarterly summary notices with all contracts signed under these mechanisms, indicating beneficiary, subject, and value. Summaries are due within 30 days after each calendar quarter close and are published by AOP for transparency. (PPA 2016, Art. 26)
Sub-contracting
Is it mandatory to publish information on subcontractors (ie names) in some cases?	Yes. Contracting authorities must indicate in award decisions the name(s) of subcontractors and the part of the contract assigned. For every third party relied upon for selection criteria fulfilment or actual execution (including subcontractors), a separate ESPD must be submitted and published. (PPA 2016, Arts. 22(5)e, 66, 67(1-2), 175(4), Annex 18)
If yes, what is the threshold for publication (i.e. the % of total contract value subcontracted)? For example, if the threshold is 75%, and you have subcontracted out only 40% of your contract, no disclosure is required. Consultant will insert 75% in the short answer column.If yes, what is the threshold for publication (i.e. the % of total contract value subcontracted)?	There is no set value or share threshold for disclosure; all intended subcontractors are published, regardless of value or contract fraction. (PPA 2016, Art. 67(2))
Evaluation
Preferential treatment
Is there a ban on mentioning specific companies or brands in tender specification/call for tender?	Yes. Tech specs must avoid non-competitive/brand-specific terms except where objective technical precision so requires, and always add “or equivalent.” Trademarks, origin, models, patents may only be referenced exceptionally and must not unjustifiably favour/exclude bidders. (PPA 2016, Art. 49)
Is there a preferential treatment for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs)?	No. PPA does not provide for automatic or binding SME preferences. Authorities are encouraged, by Council of Ministers, to subdivide contracts to facilitate SME participation; some reporting and monitoring rules on SME access are required (Arts. 46, 96, annexed to AOP). (PPA 2016, Art. 46(3), Annex 4F, Annex 5C, Rules 73/2016)
Is there a preferential treatment for local/national companies? (companies from other EU MS are considered foreign companies)	No. Principles of EU law apply—equal access for all EU/EEA or third-country bidders, subject to regularity and recognition. No local/national content requirements or scoring advantages for residency. (PPA 2016, Arts. 2, 10(1))
Is there a specific set of rules for green/sustainable procurement?	Yes. Contracting authorities may (and sometimes must) include environment, innovation, social, and life-cycle requirements as tender conditions; suppliers must declare respect for all applicable ecological/social/employment law, and energy/environmental impact is mandatory for certain vehicle contracts. EMAS or equivalents are valid if certification is required. (PPA 2016, Arts. 47, 63(1)6, 64(4), 72(4), 107, 115, Annex 10)
Bid evaluation
Are there restrictions on allowable grounds for tenderer exclusion?	Yes. Mandatory (criminal convictions, non-payment of taxes/social contributions, conflict of interests, market collusion, fraudulent docs, labour offences, management conflicts, defined in Arts. 54–55, 107) and optional (insolvency, professional/contract failures, anti-competitive offences, attempted influence) grounds apply; exceptions for vital public interest exist. (PPA 2016, Arts. 54, 55, 107)
Are some bids automatically excluded? e.g., lowest/highest price; unusually low price, etc.	No. Abnormally low tenders must first be justified, with written explanation requested and reviewed. Exclusion can occur only if justification is insufficient, or if noncompliance with legal standards (environment, labour, state aid) is detected. (PPA 2016, Art. 72)
Is scoring criteria published?	Yes. All criteria and documentary proof conditions are clearly published in pre-announcement, invitation, or negotiation call. Minimum requirements and evaluation logic must be ex-ante transparent. (PPA 2016, Art. 59(5), Annexes)
Are decisions always made by a committee?	Yes. Offer selection/evaluation must be done by a commission with odd number of members named by contracting authority; in certain design/project competitions, a jury is also convened, independent from bidders and with no conflicts of interest. Actions are recorded and decisions reasoned in writing. (PPA 2016, Arts. 103, 80(7))
Are there regulations on evaluation committee composition to prevent conflict of interest?	Yes. No commission or jury member may have a conflict of interest with bidders; verification is ongoing for all selection/evaluation phases and must be reported/recorded. Disclosed conflicts compel recusal. (PPA 2016, Art. 103(2))
Is some part of evaluation committee mandatorily independent of contracting authority?	No. Independence of commission is not required by law except for project competitions, where an independent jury is expressly mandated. Elsewhere, members may belong to the contracting authority. (PPA 2016, Arts. 18(8), 44(1), 80(7))
Are scoring results publicly available?	No. Decisions must indicate winner(s), rejected offers, grounds for decisions, and scoring, but full tabular scores are not generally published. By request or process, information about scores or rankings may be disclosed individually to participants. (PPA 2016, Arts. 5(1), 22, 90, 186, 192(4))
Does the law specify under which conditions the tender can be cancelled?	Yes. Contracting authorities may (must) cancel if: no offer/applicant, inadmissible/off-spec offers, conditions unmet, only one suitable offer, winner fails to sign or prove eligibility, violation of process, change of need or finance, or other legally justified conditions. All cancellations require reasoned decision and notification. (PPA 2016, Art. 110(1-2))
Open competition
CFT publication
Does the law specify the location for publicizing open calls for tenders?	Yes. The same (PPR, buyer’s profile, OJEU above EU threshold) applies for restricted procedures (prequalified shortlists, etc). (PPA 2016, Arts. 36, 36a, 156)
Does the law specify the location for publicizing restricted calls for tenders?	Yes. For negotiated calls, publication requirements mirror those of open/restricted procedures in all venues (PPR, buyer’s profile, OJEU). (PPA 2016, Arts. 36, 36a, 156)
Does the law specify the location for publicizing negotiated calls for tenders?	Yes. Public Procurement Register (PPR), Buyer's Profile and the "Official Journal" of the European Union (thresholds apply) (Public Procurement Act of 2016, as amended, Arts. 36, 36a and 156)
Minimum # of bidders
What is the minimum number of bidders for restricted procedures?	5. A minimum of 5 applicants must be invited in restricted procedures. If not enough eligible applicants remain after preselection, the procedure may continue with fewer. (PPA 2016, Art. 105(3))
What is the minimum number of bidders for negotiated procedures?	3. For negotiated (competitive) procedures, at least 3 bidders should be invited unless an insufficient number remains or there are specific exceptions. (PPA 2016, Art. 105(3))
What is the minimum number of bidders for competitive dialogue procedures?	3. Competitive dialogue likewise uses a minimum of 3 bidders. (PPA 2016, Art. 105(3))
Bidding period length
What are the minimum number of days for open procedures?	30. Minimum 30 calendar days from publication/notice to offer submission in open procedures. (PPA 2016, Art. 74(1))
What are the minimum number of days for restricted procedures?	30. Minimum 30 days for participation applications in restricted procedures; period runs from publication/invitation or confirmation of interest. (PPA 2016, Art. 75(2))
What are the minimum number of days for competitive negotiated procedures?	Yes. Procedures: open, restricted, competition with agreement, agreement with prior call, negotiation with publication, competitive dialogue, innovation partnership, no-call negotiation or project competition, public competition, direct award. All are legally defined by Art. 18(1). (PPA 2016, Art. 18(1))
Institutional arrangements
Institutions and regulations
Does the law specify the main EXCEPTIONS preventing the application of the Public Procurement Act for tenders/organisations?	Yes. The Act lists numerous exceptions based on international agreement, legal services, financial transactions, defence/security confidentiality, central bank/insurance/research/labour/transport/medicine, etc. Detailed exceptions for sectoral and utility procurement. (PPA 2016, Arts. 13–15)
Does the law specify the main types of institutions that must apply the Public Procurement Act?	Yes. Public contracting authorities shall be: 1. the President of the Republic of Bulgaria; 2. the President of the National Assembly; 3. the Prime Minister; 4. the Ministers; 5. the Ombudsman of the republic of Bulgaria; 6. The Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank; 7. the President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bulgaria, the administrative heads of the judiciary bodies, which govern independent budgets, as well as the administrative heads of Prosecutions in the Country; 8. the Regional Governors; 9. 10. the Chairpersons of state agencies; 11. the Chairpersons of the state commissions; 12. the Executive Directors of executive agencies; 13. 14. representatives of public-legal organizations; 15. heads of diplomatic and counselor representations of the Republic of Bulgaria abroad, as well as the permanent representations of the Republic of Bulgaria at the international organizations; 16. the representing medical establishments – trade companies under Art. 36 – 37 of the Medical Establishments Act, owned by the state and/or municipalities, of which more than 50% of the revenues are from the state and/or the municipal budget, and of the budget of the National Healthinsurance Fund; 17. heads of central bodies for purchases, established for satisfaction of the needs of the public contracting authorities. Public contracting authorities shall also be unifications of abovementioned contracting authorities. Sector contracting authorities shall be: 1. representing public undertakings and their unifications, where they perform one or several sector activities; 2. representing the traders or other persons, which are not public undertakings, where on the basis of special or exclusive rights perform one or several sector activities; 3. the heads of central bodies for purchase, established for satisfaction needs of sector contracting authorities. (Public Procurement Act of 2016, as amended, Art. 5)
Does the law specify the main procedure types or procurement methods permitted?	Yes. State-set fees (approved by government) are due for all contract award reviews/appeals before CPC or SAC. Fees are set by statutory tariffs and the Administrative Procedure Code. (PPA 2016, Arts. 199(3), 220(1))
Is there a procurement arbitration court dedicated to public procurement cases?	Yes. Appealing award decision suspends the procedure until case settlement, barring specifically excepted cases or preliminary fulfilment granted. Other types of appeals do not automatically suspend unless a temporary measure is requested. (PPA 2016, Art. 203(1,3,4))
Is there a procurement regulatory body dedicated to public procurement?	Yes. The Ministry of Finance, via the Executive Agency “Public Procurement Agency” (AOP), oversees policy; AOP is a legal entity reporting to MoF, led by a director appointed by the Minister of Finance, acting according to adopted rules of procedure. (PPA 2016, Arts. 227–229)
Does the law specify procurement advisors' profession (i.e. degree to be obtained, official list of members of the professional association) and its role in the tendering process (e.g. right to draft tender documentations, conduct market research identifying bidders)?	Yes. Decisions in appeal procedure are published in the Public Procurement Register and on the relevant buyer profile. Decisions include details on decision date, parties, grounds, subject and appeal rights. (PPA 2016, Arts. 36, 36a, 215)
Is disclosure of final, beneficial owners required for placing a bid?	No. There is no explicit legal requirement to disclose ultimate beneficial owners in the bid phase. Conflict of interest investigations can, however, trigger checks on the full chain of corporate management and representation: authorities look both to those technically representing the bidder, as well as to persons at all levels of control/management, including legal entities and natural persons acting by power of attorney. If there is a detected conflict arising from hidden beneficial structures, exclusion is mandatory. (PPA 2016, Art. 54(1)7, 54(2,3))
Complaints
Is there a fee for arbitration procedure?	Yes. All appeals and complaints relating to public procurement are subject to state fees, as set by the Council of Ministers for proceedings before the Competition Protection Commission (CPC) and Supreme Administrative Court (SAC). State fees for cassation correspond to those established for Commission review; further costs may arise as per the Administrative Procedure Code. (PPA 2016, Arts. 199(3), 220(1))
Is there a ban on contract signature until arbitration court decision (first instance court)?	Yes. The submission of an appeal against the award decision suspends the entire procurement procedure from the moment of challenge until final resolution, except for exceptional cases—where preliminary fulfilment is permitted or for certain urgent/limited procedures. Appeal of other decisions does not suspend the contract unless a provisional (interim) measure is requested and granted. (PPA 2016, Art. 203(1,3,4))
What is the maximum number of days until arbitration court decision from filing a complaint in the case of awarded contracts?	30. The Competition Protection Commission must decide on appeals within one month of formation for standard procurements; further appellate steps for other complaint types have 7–15 day deadlines. Decision and reasoning must be issued and published within seven days of pronouncement. (PPA 2016, Art. 212)
Is there a requirement to publicly release arbitration court decisions ?	Yes. The publication of procurement appeal results and all judicial/arbitral decisions is compulsory in the PPR and buyer’s profile, reflecting full transparency of the process and final verdicts, in line with the legal requirements and best practice. (PPA 2016, Arts. 36(1)6, 36a(1)10, 215(8))

Legislation

Public Procurement Act (English)

*Last update: 2017

Anti Money Laundering

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Risk-based approach						100
Sanctions for natural persons						100
Sanctions for legal persons						25
Pecuniary sanctions for obliged entities						60
Beneficial ownership of legal persons and legal arrangements						57
Supervision of obliged entities						100
Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)						83
Mutual legal assistance (MLA) and International Cooperation						100

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Country score
Risk-based approach
Each Member State shall be legally required to prepare a national risk assessment that outlines appropriate steps to identify, assess, understand and mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing affecting it.	Yes. Measures Against Money Laundering Act requires a national ML/TF risk assessment to identify, assess, understand and limit ML/TF risks. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 95(1))
Member states shall be legally required to keep the national risk assessment up to date and review it at least every 4 years.	Yes. The national ML/TF risk assessment must be updated every 2 years. This is stricter than a 4-year review cycle. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 95(1))
Member states should legally designate an authority or mechanism to co-ordinate actions to assess risks.	Yes. A permanent interdepartmental working group is established to prepare and update the national ML/TF risk assessment and related action proposals. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 96(1)-(3))
Sanctions for natural persons
The following conduct, when committed intentionally, is punishable as a criminal offence: the conversion or transfer of property, knowing that such property is derived from criminal activity, for the purpose of concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the property or of assisting any person who is involved in the commission of such an activity to evade the legal consequences of that person’s action;	Yes. Bulgarian law defines intentional money laundering to include conversion or transfer of criminal property for concealment of its illicit origin or to assist a person involved to avoid legal consequences, and the Criminal Code punishes money laundering. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 2(1)(1); Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(1))
The following conduct, when committed intentionally, is punishable as a criminal offence: the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement, rights with respect to, or ownership of, property, knowing that such property is derived from criminal activity;	Yes. Bulgarian law defines intentional money laundering to include concealment or disguise of the nature, source, location, movement, rights over, or ownership of criminal property, and the Criminal Code punishes money laundering. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 2(1)(2); Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(1))
The following conduct, when committed intentionally, is punishable as a criminal offence: the acquisition, possession or use of property, knowing at the time of receipt, that such property was derived from criminal activity.	Yes. Bulgarian law defines intentional money laundering to include acquiring, holding, possessing or using property known at receipt to derive from criminal activity, and the Criminal Code punishes acquiring, receiving, holding, using or transforming such property. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 2(1)(3); Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(2))
Aiding and abetting, inciting and attempting a money laundering offence is punishable as a criminal offence.	Yes. Preparation, association for the purpose of money laundering, and incitement are criminalised. Aiding or facilitation is also covered in the statutory definition of money laundering. (Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253a(1)-(2); Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 2(1)(4))
Money laundering offences are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least four years.	Yes. The basic money-laundering offence is punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 6 years, with higher maxima for aggravated cases. (Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(1), (3)-(5))
A prior or simultaneous conviction for the criminal activity from which the property was derived is not a prerequisite for a conviction for money laundering offences	Yes. Article 253 criminalises money laundering of property known or presumed to be acquired through a crime, and the cited provision does not make a prior or simultaneous conviction for the predicate offence a condition for conviction for money laundering. (Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(1)-(2), (7))
A conviction for money laundering offences is possible where it is established that the property was derived from a criminal activity, without it being necessary to establish all the factual elements or all circumstances relating to that criminal activity, including the identity of the perpetrator;	Yes. Article 253 requires that the property be derived from crime, but the cited provision does not require establishing all factual elements of the predicate offence or identifying the perpetrator as a condition for a money-laundering conviction. (Criminal Code (Наказателен кодекс), Art. 253(7))
Sanctions for legal persons
Legal persons can be held liable for the breaches of Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 or Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 committed on their behalf or for their benefit by any person, acting individually or as part of a body of that legal person and having a leading position within that legal person, based on any of the following: a power to represent the legal person; an authority to take decisions on behalf of the legal person; an authority to exercise control within the legal person.	No. Legal-person liability located in Bulgarian law concerns listed criminal offences benefiting the legal person, not breaches of Regulations (EU) 2024/1624 or (EU) 2023/1113 by leading persons. (Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act (Закон за административните нарушения и наказания), Art. 83a)
Legal persons can be held liable where the lack of supervision or control has made possible the commission of any money laundering offences for the benefit of that legal person by a person under its authority.	No. Bulgarian law provides legal-person liability for listed offences committed by certain linked persons, but no explicit lack-of-supervision or lack-of-control rule was located in the terms of the indicator. (Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act (Закон за административните нарушения и наказания), Art. 83a)
Legal persons held liable are punishable by criminal or non-criminal fines.	Yes. A legal person held liable under Bulgarian law is subject to a pecuniary sanction. (Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act (Закон за административните нарушения и наказания), Art. 83a(1))
Legal persons held liable are punishable by other sanctions, such as: exclusion from entitlement to public benefits or aid; temporary or permanent exclusion from access to public funding, including tender procedures, grants and concessions; temporary or permanent disqualification from the practice of commercial activities; placing under judicial supervision; a judicial winding-up order; temporary or permanent closure of establishments which have been used for committing the offence.	No. The identified legal-person regime provides a pecuniary sanction and confiscation of the benefit, but not the broader additional sanctions listed in the indicator. (Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act (Закон за административните нарушения и наказания), Art. 83a(1), (5))
Pecuniary sanctions for obliged entities
In the event of a breach of Regulations (EU) 2024/1624 and (EU) 2023/1113, where obligations apply to legal persons, pecuniary sanctions can be imposed and administrative measures can be applied not only to the legal person, but also to the senior management and to other natural persons who under national law are responsible for the breach.	Yes. Bulgarian law allows fines on managers and responsible natural persons for breaches of the national AML law implementing the EU AML framework. Under the requested methodology, sanctions for breach of the national transposing AML law are sufficient. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 117(1)-(2))
Pecuniary sanctions shall be imposed on obliged entities for serious, repeated or systematic breaches, whether committed intentionally or negligently, of the requirements laid down in the following provisions of Regulation (EU) 2024/1624: Chapter II (Internal policies, procedures and controls of obliged entities); Chapter III (Customer due diligence); Chapter V (Reporting obligations); Article 77 (Record retention).	Yes. Bulgarian law provides sanctions for serious, repeated or systematic breaches of AML obligations under the national AML law implementing the EU framework. That is sufficient in substance even though the provision is not framed as a direct breach of Regulation (EU) 2024/1624. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 116(1)-(3))
Supervisors are able to apply administrative measures to an obliged entity, where they identify: breaches of Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 or Regulation (EU) 2023/1113, either in combination with pecuniary sanctions for serious, repeated and systematic breaches, or on their own; weaknesses in the internal policies, procedures and controls of the obliged entity that are likely to result in breaches of the requirements; that the obliged entity has internal policies, procedures and controls that are not commensurate with the risks of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing to which the entity is exposed.	Yes. The Financial Intelligence Directorate may order an obliged entity to stop the breach and take remedial measures. Functionally, that satisfies the indicator for requiring cessation and remediation of AML breaches under the national implementing framework. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 126)
Where obliged entities fail to comply with administrative measures applied by the supervisor within the applicable deadlines, supervisors are able to impose periodic penalty payments in order to compel compliance with those administrative measures.	No. A recurring monthly sanction was identified only for continued failure to file beneficial-ownership data after sanctioning, not as a general periodic penalty payment mechanism for non-compliance with supervisory measures. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 118(4))
Supervisors are required to publish on their website, in an accessible format, decisions imposing pecuniary sanctions, applying administrative measures or imposing periodic penalty payments.	No. Absent from legal framework
Beneficial ownership of legal persons and legal arrangements
Beneficial ownership information must be held in a central register in the Member State where the legal entity is created or where the trustee of an express trust or person holding an equivalent position in a similar legal arrangement is established or resides, or from where the legal arrangement is administered.	Yes. Beneficial-ownership information is entered in central registers for Bulgarian legal entities and other legal arrangements, and for trustees or equivalent persons of foreign trusts and similar legal arrangements established or residing in Bulgaria through register BULSTAT. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63(1)-(2))
Member States shall ensure that the entities in charge of the central registers are empowered to request from legal entities, trustees of any express trust and persons holding an equivalent position in a similar legal arrangement, and their legal and beneficial owners, any information necessary to identify and verify their beneficial owners, including resolutions of the board of directors and minutes of their meetings, partnership agreements, trust deeds, power of attorney or other contractual agreements and documentation.	No. Bulgarian law requires entities, trustees and beneficial owners to hold and provide information to competent authorities, but no clear rule was located empowering the central-register authority itself to request any information and documents listed in the indicator. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 61(3), 62(3), 63(8))
Where no person is identified as the beneficial owner, the central register shall include: (a) a statement that there is no beneficial owner or that the beneficial owners could not be determined, accompanied by a corresponding justification (b) the details of all natural persons who hold the position of senior managing officials in the legal entity equivalent to the following information: all names and surnames, place and full date of birth, residential address, country of residence and nationality or nationalities of the beneficial owner, number of identity document, such as passport or national identity document, and, where it exists, unique personal identification number assigned to the person by his or her country of usual residence, and general description of the source of such number	Yes. Bulgarian law substantively covers the fallback case where no beneficial owner can be identified: the senior managing official is treated as beneficial owner under the statutory definition, and the declaration/registration framework records the relevant beneficial-owner data. Exact formulaic wording is not required. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63(4); Supplementary Provisions, § 2(1)(3))
Entities in charge of the central registers are required to verify, within a reasonable time upon submission of the beneficial ownership information, and on a regular basis thereafter, that such information is adequate, accurate and up to date.	Yes. In substance, Bulgaria has concrete timing and updating rules that support adequacy, accuracy and currency of beneficial-ownership information: entries and changes must be filed within 7 days, and the registration official decides applications after submission within the statutory timetable. Under the requested methodology, these concrete timing rules are enough. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63(4)-(5); Act on the Commercial Register and the Register of Non-Profit Legal Entities, Art. 19(2))
Competent authorities, if appropriate and to the extent that such requirement does not interfere unnecessarily with their functions, are required to report to the entities in charge of the central registers any discrepancies they find between information available in the central registers and the information available to them.	Yes. Obliged entities and the authorities listed in the AML law must notify the Registry Agency when they find discrepancies between collected beneficial-ownership data and the registered data. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63a(1))
The information contained in the central registers must include any change to the beneficial ownership of legal entities and legal arrangements and to nominee arrangements, following their first recording in the central register.	Yes. The registered beneficial-ownership information expressly includes every change in the registered circumstances after first registration. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63(4), item 5)
The entity in charge of the central register is empowered, whether directly or by application to another authority, including judicial authorities, to carry out checks, including on-site inspections at the business premises or registered office of legal entities, in order to establish the current beneficial ownership of the entity and to verify that the information submitted to the central register is accurate, adequate and up-to-date.	No. Absent from legal framework
Where verification leads an entity in charge of a central register to conclude that there are inconsistencies or errors in the beneficial ownership information, the entity in charge of a central register is able to withhold or refuse to issue a valid certificate of proof of registration, or to suspend the validity of an existing certification of proof of registration.	No. Absent from legal framework
The entity in charge of the central register is empowered to, whether directly or by application to another authority, including judicial authorities, apply effective, proportionate and dissuasive measures or impose such pecuniary sanctions for failures, including of a repeated nature, to provide the central register with accurate, adequate and up-to-date information about their beneficial ownership.	Yes. Breaches of the beneficial-ownership registration duties are administratively sanctionable, and repeated monthly sanctions apply where registration is still not filed after sanctioning. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 118(4)-(5), 123(2))
Competent authorities have immediate, unfiltered, direct and free access to the information held in the interconnected central registers without alerting the legal entity or legal arrangement concerned. These competent authorities include: self-regulatory bodies in the performance of supervisory functions of AML rules; tax authorities; national authorities with designated responsibilities for the implementation of Union restrictive measures; AMLA for the purposes of joint analyses; EPPO; OLAF; Europol and Eurojust when providing operational support to the competent authorities of Member States.	No. Bulgarian law gives direct access without informing the entity to the FIU, BNB, FSC, competent state bodies and obliged entities, but no clear rule was located matching the broader indicator wording on interconnected central registers and all listed authorities. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63(9)-(10); Art. 63b)
Beneficial ownership information held in central registers may be made available to obliged entities upon payment of a fee, which shall be limited to what is strictly necessary to cover the costs of ensuring the quality of the information held in the central registers and of making the information available. Those fees shall be established in such a way as not to undermine effective access to the information held in the central registers.	Yes. Access is not merely available for a cost-limited fee: the Bulgarian BO registers are public and access to their data is open to every registered user free of charge. That is broader and more favorable than the indicator requires. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63b, item 2; Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q4)
Any natural or legal person that can demonstrate a legitimate interest in the prevention and combating of money laundering, its predicate offences and terrorist financing has access to the following information on beneficial owners of legal entities and legal arrangements held in the interconnected central registers, without alerting the legal entity or legal arrangement concerned: the name of the beneficial owner; the month and year of birth of the beneficial owner; the country of residence and nationality or nationalities of the beneficial owner; for beneficial owners of legal entities, the nature and extent of the beneficial interest held; for beneficial owners of express trusts or similar legal arrangements, the nature of the beneficial interest.	Yes. Persons with a legitimate interest are covered in substance because Bulgaria makes BO-register data available to every registered user, free of charge and without needing to alert the entity concerned. That is broader than the indicator’s legitimate-interest minimum. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 63b, item 3; Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q2-Q5)
The following natural or legal persons shall be deemed to have a legitimate interest to access the information listed above: persons acting for the purpose of journalism, reporting or any other form of expression in the media, that are connected with the prevention or combating of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing;	Yes. This category is satisfied in substance because journalists and media actors are included within the broader class of users who can access the Bulgarian BO registers. The national framework is more open than the indicator’s minimum deemed-legitimate-interest rule. (Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q2-Q5)
The following natural or legal persons shall be deemed to have a legitimate interest to access the information listed above: civil society organisations, including non-governmental organisations and academia, that are connected with the prevention or combating of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing;	Yes. This category is satisfied in substance because civil society organisations and academia are included within the broader class of users who can access the Bulgarian BO registers. The national framework is more open than the indicator’s minimum deemed-legitimate-interest rule. (Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q2-Q5)
The following natural or legal persons shall be deemed to have a legitimate interest to access the information listed above: natural or legal persons likely to enter into a transaction with a legal entity or legal arrangement and who wish to prevent any link between such a transaction and money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing;	Yes. This category is satisfied in substance because persons likely to enter into a transaction with the entity are included within the broader class of users who can access the Bulgarian BO registers. The national framework is more open than the indicator’s minimum deemed-legitimate-interest rule. (Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q2-Q5)
The following natural or legal persons shall be deemed to have a legitimate interest to access the information listed above: Member States’ public authorities in the context of public procurement procedures, in respect of the tenderers and operators being awarded the contract under the public procurement procedure;	Yes. This category is satisfied in substance because public authorities in procurement settings are included within the broader class of users who can access the Bulgarian BO registers. The national framework is more open than the indicator’s minimum deemed-legitimate-interest rule. (Information on Bulgaria national BOR, Q2-Q5)
Member States shall ensure that the information provided by central registers does not lead to the identification of any person consulting the register where such persons are: persons acting for the purpose of journalism, reporting or any other form of expression in the media, that are connected with the prevention or combating of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing;	No. Absent from legal framework
Member States shall ensure that the information provided by central registers does not lead to the identification of any person consulting the register where such persons are: civil society organisations that are connected with the prevention or combating of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing.	No. Absent from legal framework
Where entities in charge of central registers decide to grant access to beneficial ownership information, they shall issue a certificate granting access for 3 years. Entities in charge of central registers shall respond to any subsequent request to access beneficial ownership information by the same person within 7 working days.	No. Absent from legal framework
Member States shall ensure that entities in charge of central registers shall only refuse a request to access beneficial ownership information on one of the following grounds: the applicant has not provided the necessary information or documents pursuant to paragraph 1; a legitimate interest to access beneficial ownership information has not been demonstrated; where on the basis of information in its possession, the entity in charge of the central register has a reasonable concern that the information will not be used for the purposes for which it was requested or that the information will be used for purposes that are not connected to the prevention of money laundering, its predicate offences or terrorist financing; one or more of the situations referred to in Article 15 applies; the legitimate interest to access beneficial ownership information granted by the central register of another Member State does not extend to the purposes for which the information is sought; where the applicant is in a third country and responding to the request to access information would not comply with the provisions of Chapter V of Regulation (EU) 2016/679.	No. Absent from legal framework
In exceptional circumstances to be laid down in national law, where the access to beneficial ownership information would expose the beneficial owner to disproportionate risk of fraud, kidnapping, blackmail, extortion, harassment, violence or intimidation, or where the beneficial owner is a minor or otherwise legally incapable, Member States shall provide for an exemption from such access to all or part of the personal information on the beneficial owner. Member States shall ensure that such exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis upon a detailed evaluation of the exceptional nature of the circumstances and confirmation that those disproportionate risks exist. The right to an administrative review of the decision granting an exemption and the right to an effective judicial remedy shall be guaranteed.	No. Absent from legal framework
Supervision of obliged entities
Each Member State shall ensure that all obliged entities established in its territory are subject to adequate and effective supervision. To that end, each Member State shall appoint one or more supervisors to monitor effectively, and to take the measures necessary to ensure compliance by the obliged entities with Regulations (EU) 2024/1624 and (EU) 2023/1113.	Yes. Bulgarian AML law designates supervisory and control authorities for the obliged entities under the Act, including the Financial Intelligence Directorate of SANS and sectoral supervisors. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 108(1)-(7))
Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs)
Each Member State shall establish an FIU in order to prevent, detect and effectively combat money laundering and terrorist financing.	Yes. Bulgaria's specialised administrative directorate “Financial Intelligence” within SANS is designated as the financial intelligence unit of the Republic of Bulgaria. (Rules for the Implementation of the State Agency for National Security Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за Държавна агенция „Национална сигурност“), Art. 32d(1)-(2))
The FIU as the central national unit shall be responsible for receiving and analysing suspicious transaction reports and other information relevant to money laundering, associated predicate offences or terrorist financing.	Yes. The FIU receives suspicious transaction reports and other statutory notifications and performs financial intelligence analysis. (Rules for the Implementation of the State Agency for National Security Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за Държавна агенция „Национална сигурност“), Art. 32d(4), (7), items 3, 5 and 10; Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 72 and 84)
The FIU shall be responsible for disseminating the results of its analyses and any additional relevant information to the competent authorities where there are grounds to suspect money laundering, associated predicate offences or terrorist financing.	Yes. Where suspicion does not dissipate, the FIU discloses the information and analysis results to the prosecution or other competent authorities. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 75(1); Rules for the Implementation of the State Agency for National Security Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за Държавна агенция „Национална сигурност“), Art. 32d(7), items 4 and 6)
The FIU shall be operationally independent and autonomous, which means that the FIU shall have the authority and capacity to carry out its functions freely, including the ability to take autonomous decisions to analyse, request and disseminate specific information. It shall be free from any undue political, government or industry influence or interference.	No. The legal framework defines the FIU’s functions and separate archive, but no explicit rule was located stating that it is operationally independent and autonomous in the terms of the indicator. (Rules for the Implementation of the State Agency for National Security Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за Държавна агенция „Национална сигурност“), Art. 32d(3), (7), items 29-30)
The FIU, regardless of their organisational status, is authorised to have access to the information that they require to fulfil their tasks, including financial, administrative and law enforcement information.	Yes. The FIU may require information from obliged entities and state and municipal bodies and has access to banking and other state information systems for analysis. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 74(1)-(11))
FIUs are empowered to take urgent action, directly or indirectly, where there is a suspicion that a transaction is related to money laundering or terrorist financing, to suspend or withhold consent to that transaction.	Yes. The FIU director may suspend a specified transaction or operation for a limited period where the statutory conditions are met. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Art. 73(1))
Mutual legal assistance (MLA) and International Cooperation
Member States shall ensure that the FIU to whom the request is made is legally required to use the whole range of its available powers which it would normally use domestically for receiving and analysing information when it replies to a request for information from another FIU.	Yes. Bulgarian law substantively enables the FIU to cooperate with foreign FIUs and to use its available domestic powers when responding to requests. Under the requested methodology, the framework need not repeat the indicator’s wording verbatim if information-sharing is legally enabled in substance. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 90-94; Rules for the Implementation of the Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 57-58)
Member States shall ensure that FIUs are legally required to exchange, spontaneously or upon request, any information that may be relevant for the processing or analysis of information by the FIU related to money laundering, its predicate offences, or terrorist financing, and the natural or legal person involved, regardless of the type of predicate offences that may be involved, and even if the type of predicate offences that may be involved is not identified at the time of the exchange.	Yes. Bulgarian law provides for both spontaneous and requested exchange of information with foreign FIUs. In substance, that satisfies the indicator even without reproducing the exact phrase that exchange is possible regardless of whether the predicate offence has already been identified. (Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Закон за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 90-94; Rules for the Implementation of the Measures Against Money Laundering Act (Правилник за прилагане на Закона за мерките срещу изпирането на пари), Arts. 57-58)

Legislation

Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016	missing file:
Election Code, 2014, amended 2016	missing file:
Criminal Code, 1968, amended 2016	missing file:
Labour Code, 1987, amended 2016	missing file:

*Last update: 2017

Asset Recovery

Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Laws

Quantitative Data

Primary Metric	2012	2015	2016	2017	2020	2024	Trend
Asset Offices						100
Confiscation						89
International cooperation						50

Values lie in range between 0 and 100, higher values implying higher legislation comprehensiveness

Qualitative Data

Country score
Asset Offices
Each Member State shall legally designate at least one asset recovery office to facilitate cross-border cooperation in relation to asset-tracing investigations and to conduct asset recovery functions in both criminal matters and civil or administrative matters.	Yes. Bulgaria has a specialised commission with powers to detect, trace and seize illegally acquired property, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(2), Art. 3(3), Art. 5(2).)
Each Member State shall legally designate at least one competent authority to function as an asset management office for the purpose of the management of frozen and confiscated property until the disposal of that property further to a final confiscation order.	Yes. The Commission is empowered to initiate proceedings for seizure in favour of the state and to request precautionary measures and attachment, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 3(3), Art. 5(5)(7).)
Confiscation
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the freezing of property necessary to ensure a possible confiscation of that property. The freezing measures shall consist of freezing orders and immediate action. (Freezing measures)	Yes. The Act provides for initiation of proceedings for attachment of illegally acquired property, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 3(5)(7).)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation, either wholly or in part, of instrumentalities and proceeds stemming from a criminal offence subject to a final conviction, which may also result from proceedings in absentia. (Conviction based confiscation)	Yes. The Criminal Code provides that chattels belonging to the perpetrator used to commit the crime and objects acquired through the crime shall be confiscated in favour of the state, (Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria, Art. 53(1)(a)-(b).)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation of property the value of which corresponds to instrumentalities or proceeds stemming from a criminal offence subject to a final conviction, which may also result from proceedings in absentia. (Confiscation of equivalent value)	Yes. Where property acquired through crime cannot be confiscated, Bulgarian (Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria, Art. 53(1)(b), Art. 44(1).)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation of proceeds, or other property the value of which corresponds to proceeds, which, directly or indirectly, were transferred by a suspected or accused person to third parties, or which were acquired by third parties from a suspected or accused person. (Third-party confiscation)	Yes. Confiscation of property belonging to third parties is allowed in specific cases, including where a special provision so provides and, for instrumentalities, in aggravated smuggling, (Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria, Art. 53(1), Art. 242(8).)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation, either wholly or in part, of property belonging to a person convicted of a criminal offence where the offence committed is liable to give rise, directly or indirectly, to economic benefit, and where a national court is satisfied that the property is derived from criminal conduct. (Extended confiscation)	Yes. The seizure regime covers property for which no legal source has been established and allows proceedings where there is a substantial discrepancy between lawful income and property, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(2), Art. 5(1)(5), Art. 107.)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation of instrumentalities, proceeds or property, or proceeds or property transferred to third parties, where criminal proceedings have been initiated but could not be continued because of illness, absconding, or death of the accused or the limitation period of the offence is below 15 years and has expired. (Non-conviction based confiscation)	Yes. Proceedings (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 5(2).)
Confiscation without a prior conviction shall be limited to cases where, in the absence of the circumstances above, it would have been possible for the relevant criminal proceedings to lead to a criminal conviction for, at least, offences liable to give rise, directly or indirectly, to substantial economic benefit, and where the national court is satisfied that the instrumentalities, proceeds or property to be confiscated are derived from, or directly or indirectly linked to, the criminal offence in question. (Non-conviction based confiscation)	Yes. The Act allows attachment in favour of the state of illegally acquired property defined as property for which no legal source has been established, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(2), Art. 5(1)(2)(5).)
Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the confiscation of property identified in the context of an investigation in relation to a criminal offence, provided that a national court is satisfied that the identified property is (i) derived from criminal conduct committed within the framework of a criminal organisation and (ii) that conduct is liable to give rise, directly or indirectly, to substantial economic benefit. A ‘criminal offence’ in this case is punishable by deprivation of liberty of a maximum of at least four years. (Confiscation of unexplained wealth)	Yes. Property is considered illegally acquired where no legal source has been established, and proceedings concern property of persons occupying high public positions or related persons involved in serious offences, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(2), Art. 5(1)(5).)
Member States are legally required to adopt a national strategy on asset recovery and update it at regular intervals of no longer than five years. (Deadline of 24 May 2027)	No. The legal framework sets out measures, procedures and institutional structure for corruption counteraction and seizure of illegally acquired property, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Arts. 1–3 (no explicit asset recovery strategy requirement).)
International cooperation
To facilitate cross-border cooperation, Member States shall legally require measures to enable the swift tracing and identification of instrumentalities and proceeds, or of property which is, or might become, the object of a freezing or confiscation order in the course of proceedings in criminal matters.	Yes. The Act regulates interaction of the Commission with other state bodies and international cooperation, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(4), Art. 3(3).)
Member States shall legally require the necessary measures to ensure that their asset recovery offices provide, upon request from an asset recovery office in another Member State, any information that those asset recovery offices have access to, and that is necessary for the performance of the tasks of the asset recovery office requesting that information	Yes. The Act expressly provides for international cooperation of the Commission, (Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property, Art. 1(4), Art. 3(3).)
Member States may legally allow for cost-sharing agreements with other Member States on the execution of freezing and confiscation orders.	No. The Bulgarian (No explicit cost-sharing provision identified in the Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property.)
Countries should be able to share confiscated property with other countries, in particular when confiscation is directly or indirectly a result of co-ordinated law enforcement actions	No. The Act regulates international cooperation and seizure in favour of the state, (No explicit asset-sharing provision identified in the Act on Counteracting Corruption and on Seizure of Illegally Acquired Property.)

Legislation

Political Parties Act, 2005, amended 2016	missing file:
Election Code, 2014, amended 2016	missing file:
Criminal Code, 1968, amended 2016	missing file:
Labour Code, 1987, amended 2016	missing file:

*Last update: 2017

Bulgaria

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