The European Commission has proposed a revised recovery and resilience plan for Bulgaria, amending the 2022 Council Implementing Decision to reflect that parts of the original plan are no longer achievable. The proposal, published on 4 August 2026, follows Bulgaria's reasoned request of 10 June 2026 and modifies 47 measures while keeping the total EU financial contribution unchanged at EUR 6.17 billion.
The revised plan, submitted under Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/241, replaces the Annex of the 2022 decision in full. One measure—Investment 7, the Unified Information System for Spatial Planning—is removed entirely. Six measures are partially reduced, including building renovation (C4.I1) and air ambulance services (C12.I4). Four measures are revised to pursue better alternatives, such as residential renovation (C4.I9) and public transport (C8.R4). Thirty-four measures are simplified to cut administrative burden. Two new digitalisation projects are added: C10.I12 for the Customs Agency and C10.I13 for the National Revenue Agency, with the implementation level for C4.I9 increased.
The estimated total cost of the amended plan is EUR 6,174,106,145, equal to the maximum financial contribution, so the amount available to Bulgaria remains unchanged. The plan retains an 'A' rating for green transition (48.9% of allocation) and digital transition (21.2%), and for 'do no significant harm'. Costing is rated 'B' (medium), and the internal control system is considered adequate.
The proposal now goes to the Council for adoption. The Council's approval would formally amend the 2022 Implementing Decision, which had originally approved Bulgaria's recovery plan under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility. The changes reflect a broader trend among member states to adjust their plans in response to implementation challenges, supply chain disruptions, and evolving priorities, as seen in similar revisions across the EU over the past year.
For Bulgaria, the revision balances continuity with pragmatism: it preserves the overall financial envelope while reallocating resources toward digitalisation of tax and customs administration, which could improve efficiency and revenue collection. However, the removal and scaling back of certain investments—particularly in building renovation and air ambulance services—may delay improvements in energy efficiency and emergency healthcare, affecting citizens who rely on those services. Businesses, especially in construction and transport, may face reduced demand for projects that were scaled down, while the simplified measures could lower compliance costs for beneficiaries. The new digitalisation projects are expected to benefit the Customs Agency and National Revenue Agency by modernising processes, potentially reducing administrative burdens for traders and taxpayers. The unchanged financial contribution means Bulgaria will not receive additional EU funds, but the reallocation could shift the impact of existing resources toward digital infrastructure, with mixed effects on sectors that lose funding.