Our member firm BOYANOV & Co. has contributed a snapshot on Bulgaria’s TMT Market in the latest issue of CEE Legal Matters (CEELM) magazine.
In this article, Nikolay Zisov, the firm’s Partner, explains that Bulgaria’s TMT market is small by European standards, but well-developed, bolstered by euro zone entry on 1 January 2026, and strong digital infrastructure (94% fiber coverage, 95% 5G coverage: both above EU averages), though digital skills and SME tech adoption still lag. The mobile telecommunications market continues to be served by A1 Bulgaria, Vivacom and Yettel Bulgaria, with potential ownership changes looming for Vivacom’s parent (United Group) and Nova Broadcasting Group, where Newsmax is reportedly the leading bidder. The tech sector is strongly export-oriented, with software revenue of roughly EUR 5.6 billion in 2025 (87% earned abroad). Bulgaria is also investing in AI infrastructure through the EUR 90 million BRAIN++, Bulgaria’s EU-backed AI factory, a project currently being developed at Sofia Tech Park.
On the regulatory side, new NIS2-based cybersecurity rules took effect in February 2026 with no grace period, significantly expanding compliance obligations and personal liability for senior management. The Digital Services Act enforcement framework is now in place, but implementation of the EU AI Act and the national Digital Identity Wallet remain behind schedule, with the wallet’s end-2026 deadline in doubt. Politically, Bulgaria’s first single-party parliamentary majority since 1997 (seated May 2026) is expected to speed up adoption of pending legislation. Overall, 2026 is shaping up as a year of implementation challenges for businesses and a potential turning point for ownership of major telecom and media assets. In 2026, the market outlook is more predictable than it has been in years.