Bulgaria’s Parliament: At least 33% of public company board members must be women

Bulgaria’s Parliament approved on September 17 2026 the second and final reading of amendments to the Equality between Women and Men Act that require that at least 33 per cent of appointees to the boards of public companies must be women.

If a public company fails to take this step, it will face a fine of 5000 to 20 000 euro.

If such a company fails to provide information about the structure of its board, it will face a fine of 2000 to 5000 euro.

In the event of repeat offences, the fines will be doubled.

In the event that candidates for board membership have equal weight of qualifications, preference must be given to appointing a woman.

The Financial Supervision Commission must by June 30 2027 compile and publish a list of companies that have achieved the goal.

The amendments transpose into Bulgarian law a European directive that was meant to have been legislated by the end of 2024.

(Photo: parliament.bg)