The Council of Ministers approved the NHIF draft budget for 2026.

The Council of Ministers adopted a resolution approving the draft Law on the Budget of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) for 2026, the government press office announced.

The three draft budgets—for the state, the NHIF, and the State Social Security—were reviewed at today’s cabinet meeting after two consecutive meetings of the Tripartite Council failed to take place due to the refusal of employer organizations to participate.

The NHIF draft budget provides for revenues and expenditures amounting to €5.57 billion, representing a 15% increase compared to the 2025 budget.
Funds for health insurance payments amount to €4.98 billion—9.9% more than the current year.

A new element in the draft is the planned transfer from the central budget in the amount of €260 million under Art. 23 of the Health Insurance Act. The funds will be used to pay for the activities of medical facilities in accordance with Art. 80b of the Medical Facilities Act, with their distribution to be negotiated between the Bulgarian Medical Association and the NHIF.

In 2026, the Ministry of Health will provide an additional transfer of €98.7 million annually for activities outside the scope of compulsory health insurance.
The health insurance contribution rate remains 8%.

The government states that the parameters of the project provide a stable financial framework for the functioning of the health insurance system, ensuring that funds will be spent lawfully, transparently, and effectively.

The budget of the Ministry of Health for 2026 amounts to €703.6 million (BGN 1.38 billion), which is BGN 172.2 million more than the current budget.
The three draft budgets are expected to be submitted to the National Assembly as early as today.