Decree No. 155 of September 24, 2026, on Interest-Free Loans for the Agricultural Development Strategic Plan

On September 24, 2026, and published on September 29, the Bulgarian government issued Decree No. 155. It sets conditions and procedures for providing temporary interest-free loans to municipalities to finance expenses under approved applications within the Agricultural and Rural Development Strategic Plan. Funded by the European Agricultural Fund, the decree aims to support the successful completion of projects and the recovery of granted resources.

What changes

The decree introduces a mechanism for granting temporary interest-free loans to municipalities to cover interim and final payments for approved applications funded by the European Agricultural Fund. Eligibility criteria include specific agreements and procedural compliances.

Who is affected

Decree No. 155 affects Bulgarian municipalities wishing to undertake projects under the Agricultural Development Strategic Plan. They must meet specific criteria to qualify for these loans.

Dates and deadlines

Decree No. 155 was published on September 29, 2026, but does not specify an effective date. Loans can be granted until December, with urgent deadlines for municipalities to act.

Practical next steps

Municipalities must prepare budgetary requests and fulfill procurement terms related to projects. Funds should be used transparently within the established financial limits.

What to check for your situation

Funding is limited to pre-approved expenses. Loans do not cover VAT costs. Municipalities must request budget corrections within 10 days after approval if necessary.