One-off birth benefit in Bulgaria 2026: amounts and documents
One-off birth benefit in Bulgaria for 2026: amounts by the child's order, documents, deadlines and how to apply at the Social Assistance Directorate.
You have had a baby and you are wondering what one-off benefit you are entitled to and how to claim it. This payment does not depend on your income and every mother is entitled to it.
Here are the amounts for 2026, the documents you need and the deadlines, explained in plain language.
❓How much is the one-off birth benefit in 2026?
Source: ЗСПД, Art. 6
Amount by the order of the child
The birth benefit is paid in one lump sum and the amount rises up to the third child. The amounts are set every year by the State Budget Act.
| Order of the child | Amount in leva | Amount in euro |
|---|---|---|
| First child | BGN 375 | €192 |
| Second child | BGN 900 | €460 |
| Third child | BGN 450 | €230 |
| Fourth and every later child | BGN 300 | €153 |
| Twins (under Art. 6) | BGN 900 for each | €460 for each |
When twins are born, each child counts as at least a second child and receives the amount for a second child. Rate: €1 = BGN 1.95583.
If permanent disabilities of 50 per cent or more are established before the child turns 2, the mother is paid an additional one-off benefit of BGN 100 (€51).
Family Allowances for Children Act (ЗСПД)
Art. 6
The birth benefit does not depend on income. The amount is set by the order of the child in the State Budget Act.
Official Bulgarian text
„Майката има право на еднократна помощ при раждане на живо дете, независимо от доходите на семейството.“
Who is entitled to the benefit
The benefit is due to the mother, but in certain circumstances the right passes to another person who looks after the child.
Conditions for receiving it
The benefit does not depend on the family's income.
The mother of a live-born child
The child lives permanently in the country and has not been placed in care outside the family
Bulgarian citizens and the families covered by Art. 3 of the ЗСПД
If the mother dies or does not exercise her rights, the right belongs to the father, the guardian or the adopter
Documents you need
There are few documents and most of the data is checked ex officio (by the authorities themselves), so you do not need to go from office to office.
Documents for the birth benefit
Download the form from egov.bg or pick it up at the counter of the Social Assistance Directorate (ДСП).
Application-declaration on the standard form (Annex 2 to the Implementing Regulations of the ЗСПД, ППЗСПД)*
The mother's ID card
For reference only
The mother's bank account (IBAN)
The benefit is paid into it
The child's birth certificate (акт за раждане)
Checked ex officio, you do not need to bring it
* Mandatory
The application form is available online on the State portal for electronic services (egov.bg) or on paper at the Social Assistance Directorate.
Ask Pravko and get an answer with citations from the law.
How to submit the application step by step
The application is submitted to the Social Assistance Directorate for your current address. You can do it online or at the counter.
Steps to apply
Prepare the documents
15 minApplication-declaration (Annex 2), the mother's ID card and IBAN
For your current address: online through egov.bg with a QES or PIK, or at the counter
Wait for the decision
It is issued within the statutory deadline after the circumstances are checked ex officio
Receive the money
The benefit is paid in one lump sum into the bank account you give
Deadlines: how long you have to apply
The right to the benefit arises on the date of birth, but you have enough time to claim it. Do not leave it to the last minute.
3 years
from the end of the month in which the child was born
After this period expires the right to the benefit lapses and it can no longer be claimed.
Common mistakes and clarifications
A few persistent misconceptions surround family benefits. Here are the most common ones.
Birth and pregnancy are two different benefits
This is not maternity pay from НОИ
Twins also get a second benefit
Other family benefits you may receive
The birth benefit is only one of the family benefits under the ЗСПД. Here is how it fits in with the others.
| Benefit | Amount for 2026 | Income-tested? |
|---|---|---|
| Birth benefit (Art. 6) | BGN 375 to 900 / €192 to 460 | No |
| Pregnancy benefit (Art. 5а) | BGN 225 (€115) | Yes, up to BGN 860 (€440) per member |
| Raising twins up to age 1 (Art. 6а) | BGN 1,200 (€614) for each | No |
| Additional benefit for a disability of 50%+ | BGN 100 (€51) | No |
| Monthly child allowances | depends on the family's income | Yes |
The amounts are set every year by the State Budget Act.
For the monthly payments, see our separate guide to monthly child allowances. If you are on maternity leave, also read what comes next in the second year of maternity leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is the birth benefit tied to the family's income?
No. The one-off birth benefit under Art. 6 of the ЗСПД is granted regardless of income. Only the pregnancy benefit (Art. 5а) has an income test.
How much is the birth benefit for a second child?
For a second child the benefit is BGN 900 (€460). This is the highest amount by order of the child: for a third child the sum is BGN 450 (€230), and for a fourth and every later child BGN 300 (€153).
How long after the birth can I submit the application?
You have 3 years, counted from the end of the month in which the child was born. After this period the right lapses.
How much is the birth benefit for twins?
For twins each child receives the amount for a second child, that is, BGN 900 (€460) each. In addition, a separate benefit for raising twins up to 1 year of age of BGN 1,200 (€614) is due for each child.
Is the birth benefit the same as maternity pay?
No. The birth benefit is a one-off payment from the Social Assistance Agency. Maternity pay is a benefit from НОИ under the Social Security Code. These are different payments from different institutions.
Family Allowances for Children Act (ЗСПД)
Art. 6(6)
The additional benefit of BGN 100 (€51) is on top of the main birth benefit.
Official Bulgarian text
„Ако до навършване на 2-годишна възраст на детето се установят трайни увреждания 50 и над 50 на сто, на майката се изплаща допълнителна еднократна помощ.“
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⚠️ Important
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