On this page

1. Housing

2. Social services

3. Health care

4. Financial services

5. Quality assurance

Housing

Housing policy is coordinated primarily by the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW). The strategic framework includes housing-related objectives under the National Development Programme Bulgaria 2030 (Национална програма за развитие България 2030). Housing measures are also implemented through EU cohesion policy programmes and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. 

The housing stock in Bulgaria is predominantly privately owned. Social and municipal housing represent a limited share of the total housing stock. Access to municipal/ social housing is regulated at municipal level through local ordinances. Eligibility criteria generally prioritise:

• households with low income,
• families with children,
• persons with disabilities,
• homeless persons,
• other vulnerable groups.

The allocation procedures, waiting lists and rental conditions are determined by municipalities in accordance with national legislation.

There is no universal national housing scheme exclusively for young people. However, specific supported housing measures target vulnerable youth, including:

• young people leaving residential care (care leavers);
• young people without parental care;
• young people from marginalised communities.

Supported and transitional housing services are provided by municipalities and licensed social service providers under the Social Services Act. These services combine accommodation with social support aimed at independent living and social inclusion. House of Opportunity (last accessed 20/02/2026)

The Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee in Bulgaria (2030) includes measures addressing housing conditions of vulnerable children and young people. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Министерство на труда и социалната политика) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Affordable and social housing measures are implemented through municipal social housing construction and renovation, EU-funded projects (e.g. Operational Programme “Regions in Growth” 2014-2020 and subsequent cohesion policy programmes), integrated urban development measures.

These programmes aim to increase the stock of social housing and improve housing conditions for low-income and vulnerable households. Young people may benefit where they meet vulnerability or income criteria. However, there is no nationwide housing allowance scheme specifically targeted at young people as a separate category.

Housing support measures primarily target:

• low-income households;
• families with children at risk of poverty;
• persons with disabilities;
• homeless persons;
• young people leaving care;
• marginalised communities (including Roma).

Targeting is based on socio-economic vulnerability, risk of homelessness, and social exclusion rather than age alone.

Social services

Social services are regulated by the Social Services Act (Закон за социалните услуги) (effective from 1 July 2020, last amended and supplemented 30 December 2025). The Act establishes the principles, planning, financing and provision of social services. The system is coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (MLSP), with implementation at national and municipal level.

Strategic planning is carried out through the National Map of Social Services and through national action plans, including the Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee (2030).

Access to social services is regulated under the Social Services Act and is based on individual needs assessment.

Young people may access:

• information and counselling services;

• mediation and guidance services (including educational and labour market mediation);

• social support for low literacy and early school leaving;

• services addressing discrimination and social exclusion;

• financial assistance measures (e.g. targeted heating allowance; social assistance under the Social Assistance Act (Закон за социално подпомагане) (effective from 5 July 1999, last amended and supplemented 10 February 2026);

• emergency accommodation and crisis centres;

• supported housing and community-based services.

Access is granted following assessment by the Social Assistance Agency or municipal authorities. Services may be publicly provided or delivered by licensed private providers. Social Assistance Agency (Агенция за социално подпомагане): (last accessed 20/02/2026)

The Social Services Act introduces integrated social services combining multiple types of support (social, psychological, educational, employment-related and health-related) delivered in a coordinated manner.

Integrated services are provided particularly for:

• young people leaving residential care;

• young people with disabilities;

• young people from marginalised communities;

• victims of violence or trafficking.

These services aim to address multiple underlying factors of social exclusion simultaneously (housing instability, unemployment, low educational attainment, health vulnerabilities). Community-based centres, supported housing, day-care centres and youth-focused family-type accommodation units are examples of integrated service delivery models. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Министерство на труда и социалната политика) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Social services for young people primarily target:

• young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion;

• NEETs (young people not in employment, education or training);

• young people leaving institutional care;

• young people with disabilities;

• Roma and other marginalised ethnic communities;

• young victims of violence, abuse or trafficking.

Targeting is based on vulnerability and social risk assessment rather than age alone.

The Social Services Act provides for licensing, quality standards and financing mechanisms for social service providers, including municipalities and non-governmental organisations.

Support mechanisms include:

• state-delegated activities financed through the central budget;

• project-based funding under EU cohesion policy programmes;

• methodological guidance and quality monitoring by MLSP and the Social Assistance Agency;

• promotion of community-based and deinstitutionalisation models.

EU-funded programmes (e.g. European Social Fund Plus) support pilot projects and innovative community-based services aimed at vulnerable young people. European Social Fund Plus – Bulgaria (last accessed 20/02/2026) 

Health care

Health care services are regulated by the Health Act (Закон за здравето) (effective from 1 January 2005, last amended and supplemented 10 February 2026) and the Health Insurance Act (Закон за здравното осигуряване) (effective from 5 July 1999, last amended and supplemented 10 February 2026). The system is coordinated by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and financed mainly through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Youth health is addressed within the general public health framework, including the National Health Strategy 2030 (Национална здравна стратегия 2030) and national programmes in the fields of prevention, maternal and child health and mental health.

There is no separate health care system exclusively for young people. Young people access services through the general health care system.

• Services available to young people include:

• free of charge primary health care provided by general practitioners (for young people up to 18 years of age);

• specialised outpatient and hospital care;

• preventive services (immunisation, sexual and reproductive health services);

• mental health services, including psychological and psychiatric care;

• counselling and prevention services related to substance abuse;

• school health services delivered by medical professionals in educational institutions.

In vulnerable communities, outreach activities and health mediation services support access to care and health literacy. Ministry of Health (Министерство на здравеопазването) (last accessed 20/02/2026) 

Health-related measures relevant to young people focus on:

• children and adolescents;

• young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion;

• young people without health insurance coverage;

• Roma and other marginalised communities;

• young people with disabilities;

• young people at risk of substance abuse or mental health disorders.

Targeting is based on health needs and vulnerability assessment. National Health Strategy 2030 (last accessed 20/02/2026) 

The position of health mediator is regulated through secondary legislation adopted under the Health Act. Health mediators work primarily in vulnerable communities and perform activities such as:

• facilitating access to health services and health insurance;

• supporting preventive campaigns (immunisation, maternal and child health);

• improving health literacy;

• mediating communication between health institutions and local communities.

Health mediators undergo mandatory initial training prior to appointment and participate in continuous training programmes and peer learning activities. The development and coordination of the national network of health mediators is supported through cooperation between the Ministry of Health, municipalities and the National Network of Health Mediators.

Financial services

Financial support measures for young people are regulated primarily by the Social Assistance Act, the Family Allowances for Children Act, the Employment Promotion Act, and related secondary legislation. Implementation is coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy through the Social Assistance Agency and the Employment Agency.

There is no separate financial services framework exclusively for young people; measures are generally based on income, employment status and social vulnerability.

Young people may access financial support under general social protection schemes, subject to eligibility criteria.

Key measures include:

• monthly social assistance for individuals and families with income below the guaranteed minimum income threshold;
• targeted heating allowance for vulnerable households during the winter season;
• family allowances for children, including monthly child benefits and one-off grants;
• financial support for young people leaving residential care, including one-off integration allowances;
• unemployment benefits, subject to insurance contribution requirements;
• active labour market measures, including wage subsidies and training allowances for unemployed young people.

Eligibility is assessed individually by the Social Assistance Agency or the Employment Agency. Social Assistance Agency (Агенция за социално подпомагане), Employment Agency (Агенция по заетостта) (last accessed 20/02/2026) 

There are no specific state credit schemes exclusively targeting young people as a separate category. Access to credit is generally regulated by financial market legislation and provided by commercial banks.

Measures addressing financial exclusion focus on:

• ensuring access to basic payment accounts under EU legislation transposed into national law (Payment Services and Payment Systems Act);
• promoting financial literacy through educational and employment programmes;
• targeted employment measures supporting labour market integration of young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion.

Bulgarian National Bank (Българска народна банка) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Financial support measures relevant to young people primarily target:

• young people at risk of poverty or social exclusion;
• unemployed young people (including NEETs);
• young people leaving residential care;
• young people with disabilities;
• young parents in low-income households;
• young people from marginalised communities.

Targeting is based on socio-economic vulnerability, employment status and income criteria rather than age alone. Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (Министерство на труда и социалната политика), Social Assistance Agency (Агенция за социално подпомагане) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Quality assurance

Bulgaria has established a statutory quality assurance framework for social services under the Social Services Act. The Act introduces national standards for quality, monitoring and control mechanisms applicable to publicly funded and privately provided social services.

In the field of health care, quality assurance mechanisms are regulated under the Health Act, the Health Insurance Act, and related secondary legislation. Financial assistance schemes are subject to administrative control and audit procedures under the Social Assistance Act and public finance legislation.

Quality assurance of social services includes:

• licensing and registration of service providers;
• mandatory compliance with national quality standards;
• inspections by the Agency for Quality of Social Services;
• monitoring by the Social Assistance Agency and municipalities;
• periodic reporting on service delivery and number of beneficiaries;
• individual needs assessments and service plans;
• complaint procedures for service users.

The Agency for Quality of Social Services is responsible for monitoring compliance with quality standards, conducting inspections and issuing mandatory prescriptions for corrective measures. Agency for Quality of Social Services (Агенция за качество на социалните услуги) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Quality control in health care includes:

• accreditation of health establishments;
• medical standards adopted by ordinance of the Minister of Health;
• control activities by the National Health Insurance Fund;
• inspections by regional health inspectorates;
• patient complaint mechanisms.

Ministry of Health (Министерство на здравеопазването) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Financial support schemes are subject to:

• administrative control by the Social Assistance Agency;
• eligibility verification and periodic reassessment;
• internal and external audits;
• reporting obligations regarding number of beneficiaries and expenditure.

Social Assistance Agency (Агенция за социално подпомагане) (last accessed 20/02/2026)

Under the Social Services Act and related secondary legislation, quality standards include criteria related to:

• accessibility and non-discrimination;
• individualised needs assessment and service planning;
• qualifications and continuous training of staff;
• safety and protection of service users;
• documentation and record-keeping;
• user participation and feedback mechanisms.

Monitoring includes data on the number of beneficiaries, target groups reached and service capacity.

Quality indicators in health care include:

• compliance with medical standards;
• accreditation scores;
• patient safety requirements;
• contractual performance indicators under the National Health Insurance Fund agreements.

Where non-compliance is identified:

• the Agency for Quality of Social Services may issue mandatory prescriptions and impose administrative sanctions;
• licenses of social service providers may be suspended or withdrawn;
• public funding for state-delegated activities may be reduced or discontinued;
• health care providers may face contractual penalties or termination of contracts with the NHIF;
• administrative sanctions may be imposed under applicable legislation.