Varna still has no 2026 budget: council and mayor disagree
Varna has no adopted 2026 budget. The council wants Mayor Kotsev to submit a corrected draft; he says it was filed in August. Both positions explained.
Varna news: city hall, courts, port and sport
Varna Municipality and council decisions, court cases, the port, Cherno More and property prices, checked against BTA, BNR Radio Varna and local media.
Sources: BTA · BNR Radio Varna · Varna Municipality · Varna24
Latest
Lake Varna sewage pipe case: court sets Portnih trial for 26 November
On 26 October a Varna court set ex-mayor Ivan Portnih's trial over the Lake Varna sewage pipe for 26 November; the damage is put at over 7.52m leva.
Varna derby: Spartak v Cherno More on 21 November 2026
Spartak Varna host Cherno More on Saturday 21 November 2026 in efbet League round 15, kick-off listed at 17:15 local time. Fixtures, tickets and getting to the match.
Varna average salary Q2 2026: €1,360 a month, third in Bulgaria
The average gross salary in Varna district was €1,360 a month in Q2 2026, up 12.7% in a year and third in Bulgaria. ICT paid most, hotels least.
Varna keeps BBB+ credit rating but still has no 2026 budget
BCRA confirmed Varna's BBB+ (stable) credit rating, but the city still has no adopted 2026 budget. The council is expected to discuss it in November.
Varna fishing port modernisation about 20% done, due November 2027
The EU-funded upgrade of Varna's fishing port in Asparuhovo is 15–20% complete; it is built in two stages so boats keep working until November 2027.
Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev: the corruption case so far
Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev has not been convicted and denies the charges. The court sent the case back to prosecutors; a timeline as of 26 October 2026.
Varna and Black Sea security: Navy, mines and the Russian consulate
Varna is home to Bulgaria's Navy. What we know about Black Sea mines, the Bulgaria–Romania–Turkey mine group, the Hrabri and the Russian consulate.
Varna property prices 2026: +15% a year as one in five buyers drops out
Bulgarian home prices rose 15.5% y/y in Q2 2026; in Varna asking prices run €1,500–3,300/m². Sales are down 17–18% and growth may slow to 5–7% in 2027.
State inspection finds violations among 600+ Varna change-of-use permits
Building control found violations among 600+ change-of-use permits Varna issued since 2023. Earlier: a referral to prosecutors and 2 demolition cases.
France backs Black Sea security hub in Varna during minister's visit
France's foreign minister backed a Black Sea maritime security hub in Varna and Constanta at the Naval Academy; the mayor asked for more drone tracking.
1,331 traffic reports: Varna's "On record, no compromise" campaign in numbers
Since August 2025, people in Varna have sent police 1,331 videos and reports of traffic violations; checks on 951 cases are complete, Varna police say.
Varna council approves €75,000 for the New Year concert with Marty Cintron
Varna's council approved €75,000 for the New Year concert with Marty Cintron of No Mercy, not the €114,000 proposed. No vote count was reported.
Varna Jazz Days 2026: Antonio Forcione opened it, Ida Nielsen billed to close
Varna Jazz Days 2026 was programmed for 25 October–29 November on the Filial stage: Forcione and Erdoğan opened it, Ida Nielsen was billed to close it.
Varna investment scam call centre network busted: 4 charged
Police raided investment-fraud call centres in Varna, Sofia and Burgas on 21 Oct 2026; four men are charged over about €600,000 taken from EU citizens.
CineLibri 2026 opens in Varna: book-to-film programme until 8 November
CineLibri's 12th edition opened in Varna on 23 October with a Huppert comedy; book adaptations screen at the FCC until 8 November 2026.
Cherno More Varna fans called a protest against the owners, backed coach Iliev
Cherno More's fan club called a protest at Ticha before the 27 October game with Septemvri: against the owners, for coach Ilian Iliev. Cherno More won 2-0.
Asparuhovo landslide: Varna's state of disaster set to close on 27 October
Varna's Asparuhovo landslide state of disaster was set to close on 27 October; on 30 October inspectors named an old water main as the main cause.