Bulgarian restaurant prices rise amid increasing costs and tax transparency

The Bulgarian restaurant and tourism sectors are facing scrutiny over rising prices. Emil Kolarov, chairman of the Association of Restaurants in Bulgaria, attributes the price increases to rising costs for fuel, supplies, products, and labor. He noted that while some consumers complain about high prices, such as €2.50 for coffee at seaside resorts, businesses must price services based on their specific overhead and the convenience provided.

In contrast, Bogomil Nikolov from the Active Consumers Association warns that Bulgarian establishments are adopting a “suicidal pricing policy,” with prices in some segments now exceeding those in neighboring countries. He suggests that the shift toward card payments and the use of POS terminals has increased the transparency of business turnover, leading to higher reported taxes and social security contributions, which further drives up costs. Nikolov argues that to remain competitive and attract high-spending tourists, the industry must shift its focus from low prices to higher service quality.