The Bulgarian Parliament has adopted a new Water Supply and Sewerage Bill at first reading. The legislation seeks to establish a new regulatory entity, introduce a revised pricing structure including a 'water meter fee,' and consolidate the management of water services across the country, addressing long-standing issues within the sector.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev met with Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok in Sofia on October 20, 2025, to enhance bilateral relations. Discussions focused on economy, energy, Schengen membership, and border security, underscoring robust cooperation between the two nations.
Siemens has completed the sale of its Bulgarian headquarters in Sofia on October 20, 2025. The transaction for the 10,100-square-meter property, located in northwestern Sofia, was advised by U.S.-based real estate advisory company CBRE. Financial details of the sale were not disclosed.
A solemn ceremony was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, marking the second anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. Organized by the Israeli embassy and the Shalom Organisation of Jews in Bulgaria, the event honored victims and reiterated calls for peace, with Bulgarian officials expressing solidarity.
A protest organized by the BOEC civic movement in Sofia on October 15, 2025, addressed the city's escalating waste management crisis and alleged electoral violations in Pazardzhik. Demonstrators clashed with police and demanded the Interior Minister's resignation amidst widespread public discontent.
Bulgarian National Bank Governor Dimitar Radev has issued a warning regarding significant challenges for the 2026 state budget and projected higher inflation in Bulgaria compared to the eurozone average. He emphasized the need for prudent expenditure management and a departure from pro-cyclical fiscal policies to ensure stability as the country prepares for eurozone entry.
Bulgaria's tourism industry recorded a significant 41% increase in travel revenue from Germany during the 2025 summer season, positioning the country as a leading destination for German travelers. This growth was highlighted at the DRV Capital Congress 2025 in Berlin, driven by competitive pricing, diverse attractions, and strategic marketing efforts.
Bulgaria has officially endorsed a partnership with Nigeria's Ebonyi State for the development of a 1,200-bed Multifunctional University Hospital. This collaboration aims to significantly enhance healthcare delivery and strengthen bilateral ties, with funding contributions from both the state government and international partners.
The World Bank has revised its forecast for Bulgaria's gross domestic product growth in 2025 upward to 3%, a one-percentage-point increase from its previous June 2025 projection. The updated outlook was detailed in the 'Jobs and Prosperity: Autumn 2025 Economic Update for Europe and Central Asia' report, released on October 7, 2025.
Bulgaria's Ministry of Innovation and Growth is actively exploring the construction of a large-scale artificial intelligence gigafactory. This strategic initiative involves potential collaboration with tech giant IBM and the European Commission, aiming to establish Bulgaria as a key European technology hub. The project envisions housing over 100,000 advanced GPU chips and requires substantial infrastructure, with operations anticipated to begin between 2027 and 2028.
Bulgaria's Defence Ministry announced the delivery of two new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets on October 3, 2025, bringing the total number of advanced aircraft to four. These jets are part of a 2019 contract aimed at modernizing the Bulgarian Air Force and enhancing its NATO interoperability, with a full squadron expected by 2027.
Toplofikatsiya Sofia has initiated a phased heat supply interruption in the Druzhba 2 district and Tsarigradski complex, affecting 120 residential buildings. The repairs, necessitated by a severely deteriorated network, are scheduled from October 2 to December 30, 2025, with individual households experiencing outages for 7 to 15 days. The move has sparked public protests and official scrutiny.
Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, has issued a warning regarding Bulgaria's plans to host what she described as the largest NATO base in the country. This development is part of a defense cooperation agreement with Italy, focusing on military facilities in the Kabile district and potential expansion of NATO forces.
The Bulgarian men's national volleyball team has secured a historic spot in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship final, defeating Czechia 3-1 in the semi-finals. This marks their first final appearance since 1970, setting up a gold medal clash against Italy in Pasay City, Philippines.
Bulgaria's Minister of Economy and Industry, Peter Dilov, highlighted that the country is already experiencing significant benefits, including multiple credit rating upgrades, in anticipation of its euro introduction on January 1, 2026.
Non-government sector deposits in Bulgaria surged by 11.8% year-on-year in August 2025, totaling approximately 148.6 billion levs, according to the Bulgarian National Bank. This growth, driven partly by impending euro adoption, reflects significant increases across household and corporate sectors.
Schools across Bulgaria marked the International Day of Peace on September 21st, engaging students in various creative initiatives. These activities, aligned with the UN's call for a global ceasefire and the 2025 theme 'Act Now for a Peaceful World,' fostered messages of hope, understanding, and non-violence among the younger generation.
Bulgaria initiated its autumn-winter 2025/26 COVID-19 immunization campaign on September 18, 2025, with vaccine administration set to begin nationwide on September 23. The campaign offers 47,520 doses of free mRNA vaccines targeting the LP.8.1 variant, prioritizing vulnerable groups and aiming to bolster public health ahead of the colder months.
