The Concessions Act establishes the legal framework for granting, executing, and terminating concessions in Bulgaria. Its primary aim is to regulate public-private partnerships involving the exploitation of public assets or the provision of services of public interest. The law is designed to ensure transparency, fair competition, and the protection of public interests in the management and use of state, municipal, or public property.
Within this framework, the Act defines several types of concessions: construction, service, and extraction (including mineral waters). It sets out the principles of openness, equal treatment, and proportionality, requiring that all concessions be awarded through a competitive and public process. The law also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the concedent (public authority) and the concessionaire (typically a capital company), as well as the financial mechanisms, such as concession payments and compensations, that underpin these agreements.
The Act specifies the procedures for preparing, announcing, and conducting concession tenders, including eligibility criteria, contract terms, and grounds for exclusion (such as conflicts of interest or criminal convictions). It regulates the duration of concessions (up to 35 years), the structure of concession contracts, and the mechanisms for monitoring, control, and dispute resolution. The law also provides for the registration of all concessions in a National Concession Register and includes transitional provisions to align with EU directives and other Bulgarian legislation.