On June 30, 2026, the Bulgarian Government held the inaugural meeting of the Coordination Council for Investment Promotion. One of the key priorities identified for the newly established body was the creation of a new legal and institutional framework for cooperation with the private sector, to be supported by a new Public-Private Partnership Act.
The executive branch’s announced intention is likely to attract the attention of international investors, given Bulgaria’s strategic geographic position, access to the EU single market and regional transport corridors, competitive operating costs and significant need for infrastructure modernisation.
At present, the allocation of public resources in Bulgaria is primarily governed by the Concessions Act and the Public Procurement Act. The existing framework, however, does not capture all potential PPP structures, and many strategic projects – including those related to the energy transition, industrial, utility and social infrastructure, transport connectivity, ports, airports and industrial zones – do not fit neatly within the current legislative framework.
If the forthcoming legislative initiative is built on internationally recognised PPP principles and best practices, it could open investment opportunities in sectors where Bulgaria needs both fresh capital and external expertise.
From a foreign investor perspective, clear and transparent PPP rules are a prerequisite for certainty, predictability and returns on investments in Bulgaria’s public sector.
Investors will expect the new framework to establish clear distinctions between PPPs, concessions and public procurement; transparent project preparation and award procedures; balanced risk allocation; reliable mechanisms and guarantees for the performance of the state’s payment obligations to private partners and effective dispute resolution mechanisms.
The announced PPP bill in Bulgaria is still at a conceptual stage. The legislative text remains to be prepared, followed by public consultations under the Normative Acts Act.
The bill is expected to be included in the Council of Ministers’ legislative programme for the second half of 2026, which is due to be published on July 1.
International companies with an investment interest in Bulgaria should closely monitor the legislative process, with a view to contributing to the development of balanced legislative solutions that serve and safeguard the interests of both the public and private sectors.