In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

Bulgaria’s cybersecurity landscape is characterized by heightened business awareness of threats and a proactive approach to addressing associated risks. The surge in cyberattacks has led organizations to prioritize and expand investments in cybersecurity training. Notably, nearly half of all recent incidents have affected small and medium-sized enterprises, indicating a need for strong security measures across businesses of all sizes.

Schoenherr, working with Linklaters, has advised Holcim Group on its EUR 1.85 billion acquisition of Xella.

CMS has advised Solar World Aquiris on the EUR 11 million refinancing of its two operational photovoltaic projects in Bulgaria – Nove Eco and MG Solar – with United Bulgarian Bank.

Hristov & Partner's Corporate and M&A practice has had a particularly active year, driven by a mix of high-value cross-border transactions and the introduction of Bulgaria’s new foreign direct investment screening regime, according to Partner Dragomir Stefanov. 

After nearly nine years, Bulgaria’s Commission for Protection of Competition (the CPC) has a new board of commissioners. The newly appointed leadership has launched its mandate with a sweeping agenda of reforms, intensified enforcement and strong focus on Bulgaria’s upcoming euro adoption. With Bulgaria set to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026, the CPC has begun operations under the concern that some businesses may exploit the currency transition to unjustifiably raise prices.

CMS has advised the Skoda Group on a 15-year lease agreement for a new maintenance depot in Sofia with International Forwarding and Logistics.

CMS has advised VNG Handel & Vertrieb on securing a gas trading license in Bulgaria.

Tzvetkova, Tzvetkov & Dobreva has advised entrepreneur Todor Pavlov on becoming the sole owner of Sofiiska Banitsa. Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov advised the other shareholder of the company, Svetlin Pavlov.

The EU Data Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 on fair access to and use of data) became fully applicable on 12 September 2025.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

The Bulgarian energy sector witnessed some fundamental changes over the last five years. These include putting in operation the over 5 gigawatt-hours photovoltaic capacity, with more than 2 additional gigawatt-hours in the pipeline, and the construction of two major natural gas interconnectors (Balkan Stream and ICGB), which are already delivering energy to customers and reshaping the nuclear industry by utilizing Western fuel and equipment.

CMS has Kirov & Bratuleva have advised OTP Group member DSK Bank and the sponsors on an approximately EUR 40 million project financing for seven battery energy storage system projects in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is undergoing a transformative period, with the euro transition, a fully operational FDI regime, the newly adopted Personal Insolvency Act, and major energy and infrastructure initiatives reshaping the legal and business landscape across multiple sectors, according to Wolf Theiss Partner Radosveta Kojuharova.

Eversheds Sutherland has advised First Investment Bank on its inaugural local MREL bond issue. 

Gugushev & Partners has advised Linkin on the sale of its Profilink business in Bulgaria to Profine.

In The Debrief, our Practice Leaders across CEE share updates on recent and upcoming legislation, consider the impact of recent court decisions, showcase landmark projects, and keep our readers apprised of the latest developments impacting their respective practice areas.

On August 1, 2025, amendments and supplements to the Administrative Procedure Code (APC) were promulgated (SG No. 63/2025). These amendments affect various aspects of the administrative process, and the legislator has established different deadlines for their implementation. Pending proceedings before the administrative body or court will be completed according to the current procedure until the amendments take effect.