► European businesses remain resilient, but confidence is subdued
► Bulgarian businesses expect a slight increase in domestic sales and moderate export growth, with more cautious prospects for employment and investment in 2027
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The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) presents the results of the European Economic Survey 2027 (EES2027). Now in its 34th edition, the survey marks Bulgaria’s 28th participation through the BCCI. Coordinated by the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES), with the support of the chamber network, it draws on responses from 27 national chambers and more than 40,717 European businesses, many of them small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Bulgarian results reflect the expectations of 847 entrepreneurs, primarily representing larger business groups across various industries and sectors of the national economy.
Key Survey Findings for Bulgaria
Main Challenges Facing Bulgarian Businesses in 2027
Respondents could select up to three answers.
- Labour costs — cited by 62% of the respondents
- Energy prices and access to raw materials — 61% of the respondents
- Shortage of skilled workers — 49% of the respondents
Key Findings and Expectations
- National sales: Businesses expect domestic sales to increase in 2027, with 44.03% of respondents anticipating growth. However, a similar proportion, 40.45%, expect sales to remain stable.
- Export sales: Expectations point to moderate export growth in 2027, with 42.02% of respondents anticipating an increase. A comparable share, 37.5%, expect export sales to remain unchanged.
- Employment: More cautious employment prospects reflect high hiring costs and persistent difficulties in finding skilled workers. More than 61% of respondents intend to maintain their current staffing levels.
- Investment: Expectations generally point to investment remaining at 2026 levels, as indicated by 45% of respondents. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion, 41%, are more optimistic and plan to increase investment in their businesses.
- Business confidence and the business climate: Expectations remain positive overall, although more than 50% of respondents are less optimistic than they were in 2025, with sentiment unchanged from 2026. This points to fragile optimism that needs to be supported by concrete measures to improve the business environment.
Challenges Facing European Businesses in 2027
EES2027 respondents identified the following as the three main business challenges for the year ahead:
- Energy costs
- Regulatory burden
- Labour costs
The official EUROCHAMBRES report is available here: Eurochambres Economic Survey 2027.
The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has submitted the national and European survey results to the relevant Bulgarian public authorities to support the planning and implementation of reforms and the development of measures to improve the economic environment in response to the challenges facing businesses.