Failure of private hospitals in Bulgaria to apply EU public procurement rules, to the detriment of Bulgarian taxpayers: procedure INFR(2018)2268

Priority question for written answer P-002749/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Radan Kanev (PPE)

Member States had to transpose Directive 2014/24/EU into their national legislation by 18 April 2016, with each facility over 50 % publicly-funded having to comply with the rules on transparency, equal treatment and efficiency in public procurement. However, Bulgarian legislation allows for the injustice of private hospitals purchasing medicines through direct negotiations, without public tenders, despite the fact they receive significant funding from the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

This practice is creating significant differences in medicines prices between public and private hospitals, with private hospitals paying tens times more for the same medicines and the cost being covered by Bulgarian taxpayers through the NHIF.

These breaches led to infringement procedure INFR(2018)2268 being initiated and, under the Commission's reasoned opinion issued on 24 April 2024, Bulgaria has two months to remedy them before the case is brought to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

So far, there is nothing to indicate that Bulgaria has taken any action in response.

• 1.What developments have there been in INFR(2018)2268 against Bulgaria, and has the Commission acted on the two-month deadline set in April 2024?
• 2.What is the Commission's assessment in respect of the compliance of Bulgarian legislation with the requirements of Directive 2014/24/EU?
• 3.What follow-up action will the Commission take in the event that Bulgaria fails to put in place effective mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of public procurement by private hospitals?

Submitted: 5.7.2025