Military Personnel to Receive Significant Pay Increase in 2025

Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov announced that the minimum basic monthly pay for military personnel will increase from BGN 2,300 to BGN 2,370 starting January 1, 2025.

The state has taken this measure to address the long-standing issue of personnel shortage in the army. Initial reports indicate a slight increase in the number of people interested in joining the armed forces.

Pay Increase Breakdown

• Soldiers (sailors): from BGN 2,300 to BGN 2,370, an average increase of 47%
• Sergeants (sergeants): from BGN 2,395 to BGN 2,485, an average increase of 45%
• Candidates who are officers: from BGN 2,520 to BGN 2,630, an average increase of 40%
• Junior officers: from BGN 2,830 to BGN 2,950, average increase of 30%
• Senior officers: from BGN 3,000 to BGN 4,050, an average increase of 27%
• Senior officers: from BGN 4,250 to BGN 6,700, an average increase of 27%

Future Pay Growth

Starting January 1, 2025, the basic monthly pay for the lowest position will be determined annually based on the national average salary for the second quarter of the previous year.

The basic monthly pay will be increased by a factor compared to the base, with a minimum of 1.2 for officers and 1.0 for officer candidates, sergeants, and soldiers.

Addressing Other Challenges

In addition to low wages, other issues have deterred people from pursuing a career in the military, including unclear criteria for advancement, lack of predictability, and diminishing authority in the sector.

Currently, over 5,000 positions in the army remain unfilled, with the most pressing shortage being soldiers. Despite recent competitions, not enough candidates have come forward, prompting the Army to lower its admission requirements.

Alongside the pay increase, the Ministry of Defense has initiated a comprehensive modernization program, which will require a significant boost in the military budget.

Subsequent governments will be responsible for managing these large payments.