Fact-Check: Did Bulgaria Officially Raise Its Age of Consent from 14 to 16?

Are fact-Check: Did Bulgaria Officially Raise Its Age of Consent from 14 to 16 something you want to understand? Read the complete facts right here.

What is the official age of consent in Bulgaria right now?
The base age of consent under Article 151 of the Bulgarian Penal Code is 14 years old. However, aggressive legal protections penalize adults who engage sexually with minors under 16 if there is an abuse of trust, authority, material dependence, or grooming involved.

Did Bulgaria pass a law raising the age to 16 in 2026?
No. The National Assembly did not raise the absolute age of consent to 16. Instead, it expanded statutory criminal protections to minors under 16, creating severe legal consequences for predatory adults without criminalizing consensual relationships between teenagers.

Are close-in-age relationships protected under Bulgarian law?
Yes. The Bulgarian legal framework includes exemptions that safeguard teenagers from prosecution when both partners are consensual peers and the age gap does not exceed three years.

Can an adult face prison time for dating a 15-year-old in Bulgaria?
Yes. If the adult is significantly older, holds authority over the minor, or leveraged digital or financial enticement, prosecutors can file aggravated statutory charges under the updated 2026 penal code provisions.