Under a draft law published by the Bulgarian Ministry of Finance on September 23, 2026, individuals storing homemade rakia produced by another person face fines starting at least €1,000. The proposed amendments to the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act target the popular traditional spirit when it is held outside immediate family channels.
Proposed Restrictions on Homemade Rakia Storage
The regulatory proposal specifically addresses rakia manufactured in registered specialized small distilling facilities, known locally as kazani. According to the text published by the Ministry of Finance, individuals cannot legally store home-brewed spirits unless they are the registered recipient named in the official excise tax document or an immediate family member. Consequently, sharing or storing homemade rakia given to a friend or neighbor falls under the proposed prohibition.
Ministry documents outline strict financial penalties for non-compliance. For individual citizens, the proposed fine equals double the amount of the due excise duty, with a mandatory minimum of €1,000. Repeat violations increase the minimum penalty to €2,000. Legal entities and sole proprietors face parallel enforcement measures, starting at a minimum fine of €2,000 for a first offense and doubling to a minimum of €4,000 for subsequent infractions. The rules also extend restrictions on keeping homemade spirits in specific commercial and retail locations.
Public Consultation and Legislative Timeline
The regulatory changes are not yet active law. The Ministry of Finance released the draft text for public discussion on September 23, 2026, establishing a formal window for stakeholders and citizens to submit feedback until October 23, 2026. State officials can modify the provisions based on public commentary before formally introducing the legislation to the National Assembly for debate and voting.
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