Based on preliminary data and estimates, the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) is expected to be in a surplus of 2,156.8 million leva (2.2 per cent of the GDP projection) on a cash basis as at the end of August, the Finance Ministry said.

The national budget balance improved in structural terms compared to a year earlier mainly due to larger tax revenues (including from social and health insurance contributions). At the same time, the balance of EU fund accounts deteriorated in 2017 due to a baseline effect in 2016 related to EU grants reimbursed to Bulgaria early that year for expenditures incurred at the end of 2015 when project payments under the 2007-2013 programming period peaked.

As at August 2017, CFP revenues and grants are expected to be 23,312.7 million leva, 65.8 per cent of the annual projection. Tax and non-tax revenues are expected to reach 68.1 per cent of the annual estimates. As at end-August, grant revenues were lower than a year earlier, and performance is expected to be 37.4 per cent of the annual estimates. 

CFP expenditures, including Bulgaria's contribution to the EU budget, are expected to amount to 21,155.9 million leva, 57.5 per cent of the annual estimates. A year earlier, CFP expenditures amounted to 19,698.1 million leva.

The portion of Bulgaria's contribution to the EU budget paid from the central government budget as at August 2017 stood at 607.4 million leva.