BAPHC prepares protests due to lack of funds for higher salaries in the 2026 NHIF budget

The Bulgarian Association of Health Care Professionals (BAPHC) has announced its readiness for protest and strike actions. The reason is the draft budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 2026, published on December 8, in which, according to the professional organization, no funds are provided for salary increases.

BAPHC states that the NHIF financial framework does not guarantee the implementation of the minimum wages set in the Collective Labor Agreement. The organization’s main demand is for the starting salary for healthcare professionals to reach €1,550, or approximately 3,030 BGN.

“It is clear from the published draft budget that no funds have been allocated to increase minimum wages to the agreed levels,” the association stated in an official position.

According to BAPHC data, the new draft eliminates an item amounting to €260 million (over 500 million BGN), which in previous calculations was intended specifically for increasing the salaries of medical personnel. According to the professional organization, this puts both the income of specialists and the sustainability of the healthcare system at risk.

The NHIF budget was approved by a majority of the institution’s Supervisory Board. The health insurance contribution remains at 8%.

BAPHC announced that they are starting to organize protest actions across the country, with more information expected to be announced in the coming days.