Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Finance Ministry proposes increase of VAT for restaurant business back to 20%

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

The VAT rate for restaurateurs to become 20% again is one of the measures in the tax laws proposed by the Ministry of Finance. During the Covid epidemic, the tax rate for the industry was reduced to 9%. According to Minister Asen Vasilev, its restoration to pre-coronavirus levels has been discussed with the restaurant industry.

Assen Vassilev has received the assurance of their representatives that they will develop measures to lighten the business, as well as to raise the insurance thresholds of workers above the minimum wage. "If the effect of lightening is greater than raising the rate, we can consider possibly to keep the 9% rate, but only if a very serious complex of measures comes into play", emphasized the minister.

Among other measures discussed is the return of the patent tax for the smallest traders. Basic taxes for citizens and businesses remain unchanged.

As for next year's state budget, the goal is to keep the deficit within the 3% of the Gross Domestic Product permitted under Maastricht.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Morning temperatures will be around zero, sunny and warm Saturday expected

On Saturday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from minus 2 to 3°C. In Sofia it will be around 0°C. During the day it will be sunny with scattered high clouds.  Highs tomorrow will be between 14 and 19°C, in the capital - around 15°C...

published on 3/21/25 7:15 PM

Agriculture minister promises to protect farmers

“We are protecting farmers and the public interest. In drafting this bill we are guided solely by this aim,” said Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov at a meeting with representatives of chain stores in this country and consumer..

published on 3/21/25 6:22 PM
Chief commissioner Lyubmir Nikolov

Two brothers apprehended for abducting two people

Two brothers, members of an organized crime group busted a few years ago, have been detained for abducting two men. The  kidnappers and the persons considered missing are thought to be connected with 160 kgs. of cocaine missing in Sofia...

published on 3/21/25 5:11 PM