Am I entitled to child benefit?
It depends on your family income. Monthly child benefits are means-tested: average monthly income per family member over the last 12 months must be up to about €415 (BGN 811) for you to receive the full amount. If income falls between that threshold and an upper limit of around BGN 920, you receive 80% of the benefit. Above the upper limit there is no entitlement at all. The amounts depend on the number of children: one child — BGN 50, two — around BGN 110, three — around BGN 165, four — around BGN 175, with each further child adding about BGN 20. Benefit is paid until the child turns 18, or 20 if they are still in education. A separate one-off birth grant is also available.
📋 The rules
- Income threshold: about €415 (BGN 811) per family member
- Between the threshold and about BGN 920: you get 80%
- One child BGN 50; two ≈BGN 110; three ≈BGN 165
- Each further child adds about BGN 20
- Paid to 18, or to 20 if the child is in education
🔓 Exceptions
- Children with permanent disabilities receive benefits with no means test
- The one-off birth grant is awarded separately from the monthly benefit
- The threshold changes with each state budget — check the current figure
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Benefits are stopped if the child does not attend school or nursery regularly — the commonest reason for losing them, and one that catches many parents out. They are also stopped where the income declaration contains false information. Sums wrongly received must be repaid, and deliberately declaring false income can bring criminal liability. Applications go to the Social Assistance Directorate for your permanent address, and can be filed electronically. Missing the deadline means the benefit runs from the month you applied, not retrospectively.
📎 Official sources
- Social Assistance Agency →
- lex.bg · Family Benefits for Children Act →
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy →
❓ Frequently asked
What is the income threshold for child benefit?
About €415 (BGN 811) of average monthly income per family member over the last 12 months, to receive the full amount. The threshold changes with each state budget, so check the current figure.
How much is child benefit?
BGN 50 a month for one child, around BGN 110 for two, around BGN 165 for three and around BGN 175 for four, with each further child adding about BGN 20. The amount depends on the number of children, not on your income above the threshold.
What if my income is slightly over the threshold?
If income per family member falls between the threshold and an upper limit of around BGN 920, you receive 80% of the benefit. Above the upper limit there is no entitlement at all.
Until what age is it paid?
Until the child turns 18, or until 20 if they remain in education. Interrupting regular schooling, however, leads to the benefit being stopped.
Can my benefit be stopped?
Yes. The commonest reason is the child not attending school or nursery regularly. It is also stopped where false information was declared, and wrongly received sums must be repaid.
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