Bulgaria's National Association of Volunteers wants a law to encourage volunteering. It says the current Law on Protection in Disasters and Accidents is not enough.

On 17 April 2025, parliament passed three draft laws on volunteering at first reading and merged them into one. In November 2025, MPs from GERB-SDS, "BSP – United Left" and "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" discussed the merged text with volunteer groups.

The association wants a system where more people can join, train, gain knowledge and practical skills, and be useful where society and the authorities need them. It says spontaneous help should be kept apart from organised volunteering, which needs training, standards, clearly defined powers and duties, and money and equipment.

The future law should set out how volunteers are trained and what standards they must meet. It should also state their powers, duties and working conditions, and which organisations may work with them.

The association also raises the question of how the state will encourage institutions and civil groups that have the capacity to do this, how self-employed people can take part, and how volunteers' experience, knowledge and skills will be recognised. It says the law should include social benefits and incentives to draw in more people, and that experience should be able to count towards professional development and a career.

The association says the most important question remains how volunteering fits with a person's main job and how relations with employers are settled.