European Commission Digital Decade 2026 country report: Bulgaria

The European Commission published the Digital Decade 2026 country report for Bulgaria (SWD(2026) 155 annex).

• Main announcement: The Commission presents an assessment of Bulgaria’s progress towards the Digital Decade, highlighting strong VHCN/FTTP coverage (93.53% in 2025) and 5G coverage (79.62% in 3.4–3.8 GHz band), but identifying major gaps in SME digitalisation, digital skills and uptake of advanced technologies; the report cites roadmap and funding figures including roadmap budget EUR 2.19 billion, RRF digital allocation ~EUR 1.2 billion, and cohesion policy digital funding EUR 1.2 billion.
• Background and concrete details: The report documents signed contracts and planned timelines (e.g., ~EUR 222 million of contracts signed in June 2025 for ~7 000 km of fibre; Kardesa submarine cable construction planned to start in 2027), lists targeted programmes and budgets (e.g., PRIDST IAWP 2026: EUR 49.2 million, PRIDST Priority Area 1: EUR 103 million, PCIE Industry 4.0 grant applications: EUR 176.7 million requested vs EUR 54.19 million available; projects to be announced H1 2026 with implementation summer 2026 onwards).