Bulgaria (BG)
Bulgaria is the oldest state in Europe (founded 681 AD), a member of the European Union since 2007, and one of the most affordable countries for expats in the EU.
Capital: Sofia
Region: Europe
Language: Bulgarian
Currency: BGN (лв)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 37)
Emergency: 112
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Public Holidays 2026
17 holidays in Bulgaria. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Нова Година
March 2026
Tue 3
Liberation Day (from Ottoman rule) Public Holiday
Ден на Освобождението на България от Османско иго
National Day — commemorates the 1878 Treaty of San Stefano ending Ottoman rule. Major national celebration.
April 2026
Fri 10
Good Friday Public Holiday
Велики Петък
Date varies annually — Orthodox Easter calendar (usually 1–5 weeks after Catholic Easter).
Sat 11
Holy Saturday Public Holiday
Велика Събота
Date varies annually — Orthodox Easter calendar.
Sun 12
Easter Sunday Public Holiday
Великден
Orthodox Easter — the most important religious celebration in Bulgaria. Midnight church services, red eggs, lamb.
Mon 13
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Великденски понеделник
Date varies annually.
May 2026
Fri 1
Labour Day Public Holiday
Ден на труда и международната работническа солидарност
Wed 6
St. George's Day / Bulgarian Army Day Public Holiday
Гергьовден / Ден на храбростта
Patron saint's day and armed forces celebration. Major lamb roasting tradition.
Sun 24
Day of Bulgarian Education, Culture, and Slavic Alphabet Public Holiday
Ден на българската просвета и култура
Celebrates Saints Cyril and Methodius, creators of the Cyrillic alphabet. Parades, school events nationwide. Falls on Sunday May 24 — substitute observed Monday May 25.
Mon 25
Day of Bulgarian Education (substitute) Public Holiday
Ден на българската просвета и култура (почивен ден)
Substitute for Education Day (May 24 falls on Sunday in 2026).
September 2026
Sun 6
Unification Day Public Holiday
Ден на Съединението
Commemorates the 1885 unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. Falls on Sunday Sep 6 — substitute observed Monday Sep 7.
Mon 7
Unification Day (substitute) Public Holiday
Ден на Съединението (почивен ден)
Substitute for Unification Day (Sep 6 falls on Sunday in 2026).
Tue 22
Independence Day Public Holiday
Ден на независимостта на България
Commemorates Bulgaria's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1908.
November 2026
Sun 1
National Awakening Day Bank Holiday
Ден на народните будители
Non-working for schools and cultural institutions. Honours Bulgarian scholars, writers and educators.
December 2026
Thu 24
Christmas Eve Public Holiday
Бъдни вечер
Traditional Christmas Eve meal with odd number of meatless dishes, fortune-telling bread (питка с късмети).
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Рождество Христово
Mon 28
Second Day of Christmas (substitute) Public Holiday
Рождество Христово (втори ден)
Second Day of Christmas (Dec 26) falls on Saturday in 2026 — substitute observed Monday Dec 28.
Note: Some holidays in Bulgaria apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.