European Commission transfers €896 million to Bulgaria

The European Commission has transferred a €896 million grant to Bulgaria as the fourth instalment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), following a positive assessment of reforms and investment milestones required by the programme.

Brussels said the payment was conditional on concrete progress in rule-of-law measures and other commitments. Among the conditions that Bulgaria met were the creation of an independent Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and new rules to regulate lobbying activity.

Allocation to green and transport projects

A significant portion of the support is earmarked for energy measures: the funds will back the installation of almost 1,400 domestic solar hot-water systems and photovoltaic units across the country. The move is framed as part of Bulgaria’s push toward cleaner, decentralised energy solutions.

In the transport sector, the financing accompanies new public-service contracts in the railways and the establishment of a framework to roll out low- and zero-emission vehicles, measures intended to modernise public transport and reduce emissions from the sector.

The transfer reflects the Commission’s evaluation that Bulgaria has implemented the agreed milestones and targets under the RRF. The payment will be entered as a grant and is the fourth tranche disbursed under the facility to date.

Officials in Sofia now face the task of implementing the investments on the ground and meeting any remaining reporting requirements stipulated by the European Commission, which will continue to monitor progress under the RRF framework.

Photo: press material from the event