According to data presented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) during a press conference on Monday, the required cost of living benchmarks for 2026 were detailed. For the first quarter of 2026, the necessary monthly income for a three-person household, consisting of two adults and one child up to age 14, is set at EUR 1,473. For a single employed person living alone, the required income is EUR 818.
CITUB reported that the cost of living income saw a quarterly increase of 2.3% and a year-on-year increase of 5.2%. Furthermore, the union noted that over the past year, the cost of living increased by EUR 73 for a three-person household and EUR 40 for a single person. The report indicated that a significant portion of the workforce, specifically 58.3% of employees, are insured at an income below the established cost of living wage.
However, CITUB noted a positive trend, reporting that the total number of people in this under-insured group is declining year-on-year, attributed to overall income growth over the last twelve months. By the close of 2025, Bulgaria reached an income level equivalent to 68% of the EU average. Regarding specific expenses, the union stated that EUR 329 is required monthly for food and catering for one person.
Food prices continue to rise annually at a rate of 6.2%, with notable quarterly increases observed in the costs of vegetables, fruit, bread, meat, eggs, and coffee. Data also showed that 12.2% of all full-time employees are insured at the minimum wage level.
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This figure suggests a significant ongoing cost of living challenge for families.
What other household sizes or expense categories are covered by these 2026 cost of living benchmarks?