Bulgaria proposes integrity tests for high-risk civil servant roles

The Bulgarian Parliament is considering amendments to the Civil Servants Act that would introduce mandatory integrity tests for officials in positions with high corruption risks. The proposed changes, introduced by the Council of Ministers, aim to fulfill requirements of the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Under the new rules, integrity tests would be required during initial appointment, promotion, or reassignment for roles involving public procurement, concessions, management of public funds, and state property. A successful test would be valid for three years, while those who fail would be barred from high-risk positions for one year. The legislation also proposes allowing civil servants to work remotely for up to two days per week.

Debate has emerged regarding the implementation timeline and scope. Current provisions suggest that existing staff may be exempt from immediate testing, with the new requirements primarily targeting new appointments and promotions starting December 1, 2026, once technical and methodological frameworks are established. Critics have raised concerns about potential double standards between old and new staff, as well as the risk of the law being used for political purges.