March 27, 2026, Sofia – The caretaker government, led by Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, presented a package of economic measures in response to rising fuel prices and the unstable situation in the Middle East. The main focus is on support for the transportation sector, agriculture, and businesses affected by high electricity prices.
At a briefing at the Council of Ministers, the prime minister stated that the measures were the result of meetings held with representatives of various economic sectors. The aim is to ensure “predictability and stability” for businesses as the crisis unfolds.
Key Measures for Businesses
The government plans to provide expanded support in several key areas:
- Higher compensation for businesses due to high electricity prices
- Reduced excise taxes on fuels in the agricultural sector
- Financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises
- Establishment of an expert task force under the Council of Ministers
The new task force will include institutions such as the National Revenue Agency, the Consumer Protection Commission, the National Statistical Institute, and the Customs Agency. Their task will be to monitor the impact of the measures and respond as necessary.
Focus on the transportation sector
The transportation sector is among those hardest hit by the current economic situation, which is why some of the measures are specifically targeted at it:
- Postponement of the toll increase – instead of April 1, the changes will take effect in June
- Increase in state aid—from €25 million to the requested €50 million, subject to approval by the European Commission
- Additional transportation subsidies for remote areas
- Introduction of a mechanism for deferred payment of lease installments through the Bulgarian Export Insurance Agency
Support for business liquidity
The measures also include credit insurance for working capital loans to small and medium-sized enterprises in the transportation, food, and agriculture sectors. The aim is to improve access to financing and reduce business risk in the face of market volatility.
Expected effect
With this proposed package, the government aims to mitigate the negative impact of the international crisis and ensure stability in key economic sectors. Some of the measures still need to be approved by European institutions before they can be fully implemented.
