The benefits at a glance
| Period | Amount (2026) | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and birth — 410 days, 45 of them before the birth | 90% of average daily insured income over 24 months, capped at net pay | 12 months of insurance in the general illness and maternity fund |
| Second year — until the child turns 2 | €398.81 a month | 12 months of insurance in the general illness and maternity fund |
| Returning to work in the second year | 50% — €199.41 a month, on top of salary | — |
| Paternity — 15 days from the child's discharge from hospital | 90% of insured income | 6 months of insurance in the general illness and maternity fund |
| Father's leave until the child turns 8 — 2 months | €398.81 a month | 12 months of insurance in the general illness and maternity fund |
The general illness and maternity fund is part of state social security. Employees are covered automatically. Self-employed people are covered only if they opted in.
How the 410-day benefit is calculated
- The NSSI takes your gross insured income for the last 24 calendar months before the leave. Each month counts up to that month's maximum insured income — €2,111.64 until 31 July 2026 and €2,300 from 1 August 2026.
- It works out your average daily income and takes 90% of it.
- It compares this with your average daily net pay for the same period and pays the lower amount, but never less than the minimum daily wage.
Net pay is gross pay minus 13.78% social security and 10% tax — about 77.6% of gross. So, as with sick leave, the benefit is in practice close to your net salary.
Example
A mother earned a steady gross salary of €1,600 over the last 24 months. Her net salary is €1,241.57. 90% of gross is €1,440, which is more than her net pay. Her monthly benefit is therefore about €1,241.57 (the NSSI calculates it by day). The benefit is not taxed.
The second year
After the 410 days, the mother can take childcare leave until the child turns 2. The benefit is the same for everyone — €398.81 a month in 2026. The amount is set each year in the State Social Security Budget Act. If the mother goes back to work, she receives 50% — €199.41 a month — on top of her salary.
Fathers' rights
- 15 days of paternity leave from the child's discharge from hospital, if the parents are married or live in the same household. The benefit is 90% if the father has at least 6 months of insurance for general illness and maternity.
- Transferring the leave: once the child is 6 months old, and with the mother's consent, the father (or a working grandparent) can take the rest of the 410 days. The benefit is based on his own income and requires 12 months of insurance.
- 2 months until the child turns 8 — in one block or in parts, at €398.81 a month. If the father has already taken leave instead of the mother, these 2 months are reduced accordingly.
Paperwork and when the money arrives
The leave starts with a sick-leave certificate for pregnancy and birth. The employer submits the data to the NSSI by the 10th of the following month. The first payment arrives within 10 working days after the NSSI receives correct data, and later payments within 5 working days after the end of each month. For the second year and for transferring the leave, you file applications on NSSI forms.
Sick leave and benefits for the first days: Sick leave — who pays and how it is calculated. Tax relief for children: Tax relief for children 2027.
Maternity and leave, handled correctly
Our payroll team submits data to the NSSI on time and tracks which benefits your employees are entitled to.
Get in touchFrequently asked questions
How much is maternity pay in the first year?
90% of your average daily insured income over the last 24 months, but no more than your average daily net pay — for 410 days, 45 of them before the birth.
How much is maternity pay in the second year in 2026?
€398.81 a month, the same for everyone. If you go back to work, you get 50% — €199.41 a month — on top of your salary.
How many days of paternity leave does a father get?
15 days from the child's discharge from hospital, paid at 90% if the father has at least 6 months of insurance for general illness and maternity. Separately, he gets 2 months until the child turns 8.
How much insurance history do you need for maternity pay?
12 months of insurance for general illness and maternity. They do not have to be continuous or with the same employer.
Sources
- Innovires — Maternity in Bulgaria 2026 (updated 8 October 2026)
- osigurovki.bg — Second-year maternity benefit 2026
- NSSI — Social Security Code amendments on cash benefits from 1 July 2025
This article is general information, not legal advice. Current as of 2 November 2026.
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