Leva

As of today, new fees for various Bulgarian documents have been introduced.

For instance, the cost of obtaining an ID card has increased significantly. A regular ID card now costs 30 leva, up from the previous 18 leva. The fast service fee has also risen, going from 36 to 60 leva, while the express service has seen the steepest rise, climbing from 90 to 150 leva.

The recent reports published by the National Audit Office reveal that the most expensive election campaign in the early parliamentary elections held on October 27 was conducted by "DPS - New Beginning." The campaign costs for the political formation led by Delyan Peevski exceeded 1,160,000 leva, making it the only campaign to surpass the one-million-leva mark.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Sofia has charged two executives of a Bulgarian company with fraud involving a waste processing project in Asenovgrad.

From January 1, 2025, the maximum social security income in Bulgaria will rise to 4,130 leva, as outlined in the draft state social security budget for 2025. This increase follows the current cap of 3,750 leva. Additionally, the minimum social security income for self-employed individuals will also rise, aligning with the minimum wage, which will be set at 1,077 leva starting January 1.

The heavy snowfall in recent days has created ideal conditions for an early start to the winter season in Bansko. Originally scheduled to open on December 14, the ski area will now welcome visitors from December 6, 2024. Most of the slopes, groomed to perfection, will be operational, with the exception of Chalin Valog and the ski road leading to Bansko.

Municipal councilors from the "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria-Spasi Sofia" (WCC-DB-SS) coalition are raising concerns over the dire situation at Toplofikatsiya-Sofia (District Heating Sofia), the capital's heating company. They have called for a hearing with the company's management to address the alarming technical and financial state of the enterprise.

Bulgaria's admission to the Schengen area could bring substantial financial benefits, amounting to an estimated 1.63 billion leva annually. This projection comes from a study conducted by the Institute for Economic Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, commissioned by the Ministry of Economy and Industry to evaluate the economic implications of joining Schengen.

Bulgaria's banking system is on track to surpass three billion leva in profits again this year, following the record-breaking 3.4 billion leva reported in 2023. According to the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), commercial banks in the country had already posted a total profit of 3.0 billion leva by the end of October.

In 2023, the average gross annual salary in Bulgaria reached 24,485 leva, marking a 15.3% increase compared to the previous year, according to data released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

As the New Year approaches, hotels, holiday resorts, and guesthouses in Bulgaria are offering a range of packages to attract holidaymakers. However, many of these offers come with high price tags, particularly for five-star SPA hotels that boast comprehensive holiday programs.