The European Commission has given preliminary approval to Bulgaria’s fourth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the flagship component of the EU’s NextGenerationEU program, marking an important step in the country’s efforts to secure funding tied to major reforms and investments.
In its preliminary assessment, the Commission concluded that Bulgaria has successfully completed 23 of the 26 milestones and targets linked to the payment. The request, submitted on April 2, 2026, is worth approximately €1.1 billion and forms part of Bulgaria’s broader Recovery and Resilience Plan, which is backed by €6.17 billion in grant financing.
The approved measures cover a wide range of sectors. Among the most significant are anti-corruption reforms, including legislation establishing an independent Anti-Corruption Commission with powers to prevent and investigate corruption involving public officials, as well as new lobbying regulations. The Commission also recognized progress in judicial digitalization, vocational education and training, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, healthcare, sustainable transport, renewable energy, and decarbonization efforts.
