The executive director of “Holding BDZ” EAD received a monthly salary ranging between BGN 11,000 and BGN 13,000 in 2025, according to information obtained by bTV under the Access to Public Information Act.
The data shows that the head of the state railway holding received BGN 11,308.50 per month during the first quarter of the year. Between April and June, the monthly remuneration was BGN 10,770, while it returned to BGN 11,308.50 in the third quarter. During the final three months of 2025, the salary increased to BGN 12,924 per month.
Members of the BDZ Board of Directors also received significantly higher payments compared with average salaries in the railway sector. At the start of 2025, their monthly remuneration was slightly above BGN 5,500, while by the end of the year it had reached BGN 6,462.
The board members received BGN 5,654.25 in January, February and March, BGN 5,385 between April and June, BGN 5,654.25 in the third quarter and BGN 6,462 during the final quarter of the year.
A report by the Agency for Public Enterprises and Control showed that the manager and auditor of “BDZ – Passenger Transport” received a combined BGN 152,000 in 2024.
The figures come amid continued public criticism over the condition of Bulgaria’s railways, with passengers regularly reporting serious problems during trips, including train breakdowns, fires involving locomotives and even situations where passengers have had to push trains.
According to information provided by BDZ, the method for calculating the salary of the manager of “BDZ – Passenger Transport” has recently changed. Instead of being linked mainly to the company’s financial performance, the remuneration now depends on operational indicators such as train speed and compliance with schedules.
BDZ reported that 97% of trains have followed their timetables. However, Petar Bunev, chairman of the Union of Railway Workers in Bulgaria, questioned whether the new approach creates incentives that favor management.
“I assume this is due to BDZ and excludes delays caused by the National Railway Infrastructure Company. Anyone who has the opportunity would change the methodology in their own interest. I do not believe that this is what is happening here,” Bunev said.
At the same time, the financial situation of parts of the railway holding remains difficult. The subsidiary “BDZ – Freight Transport” recorded losses in both 2023 and 2024, although the company reported small profits during the first three months of each respective year.
According to a state control report covering the two-year period, the director and auditor received a total of BGN 273,000.
Trade unions said that while the size and responsibilities of BDZ could justify higher management salaries, the difference between executive pay and workers’ incomes remains significant.
“People who work in the company cannot boast about better salaries. Their pay is around BGN 2,500-3,000,” Bunev said.
Transport and Communications Minister Georgi Peev was more critical, arguing that such levels of remuneration are unacceptable in companies facing financial problems and poor working conditions.
“It is not possible for members of management boards, general directors and executive directors to receive such salaries in loss-making enterprises, where people work in terrible conditions and receive almost minimum remuneration. This is not only immoral, it is brutal,” Peev said.