Driving in Bulgaria from the UK: vignette and rules
Bulgaria uses an electronic vignette, linked to your number plate, for motorways and main roads outside towns. Prices are in euros (Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026): weekend 6.60 EUR, week 10.00 EUR, month 19.90 EUR. Cameras check plates; the compensatory fee without one is 46.50 EUR. Carry a vest, triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.
Checked on 11 November 2026 against official sourcesPrices in EUR unless shown otherwise
- Toll system
- Vignette
- Vignette
- RequiredElectronic vignette (e-vignette)
- Low-emission zones
- None listedSee the section below
- Currency
- EUR
On this page
Do I need a vignette in Bulgaria?
Cars and other vehicles up to 3.5 t (and M1 motor caravans) need an e-vignette to use the paid national road network: motorways and main roads outside towns. There is no sticker; the vignette is registered to the number plate and country of registration. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay a distance-based toll instead. Danube bridge fees (Ruse to Giurgiu, Vidin to Calafat) are separate and were not confirmed (see “Not confirmed yet” below).
Electronic vignette (e-vignette)
Required. Applies to: The paid national road network: motorways and main roads outside towns (vehicles up to 3.5 t and M1 motor caravans)
Vignette prices for 2026
Daily
5.30 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car or light vehicle up to 3.5 t, prices from 1 August 2026
Weekend
6.60 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car up to 3.5 t
Weekly
10.00 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car up to 3.5 t
Monthly
19.90 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car up to 3.5 t
Quarterly
35.90 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car up to 3.5 t
Annual
64.50 EUR[1]
Vehicle: Car up to 3.5 t
| Valid for | Vehicle | Official price |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Car or light vehicle up to 3.5 t, prices from 1 August 2026 | 5.30 EUR[1] |
| Weekend | Car up to 3.5 t | 6.60 EUR[1] |
| Weekly | Car up to 3.5 t | 10.00 EUR[1] |
| Monthly | Car up to 3.5 t | 19.90 EUR[1] |
| Quarterly | Car up to 3.5 t | 35.90 EUR[1] |
| Annual | Car up to 3.5 t | 64.50 EUR[1] |
Vignette prices for 2027
No 2027 prices published by the Road Infrastructure Agency (checked 11 Nov 2026). Current prices have applied since 1 August 2026.
This is the official seller. EuroTolls does not sell vignettes and earns nothing from this link.
Vignette rules
- Buy the e-vignette on bgtoll.bg, in the BGTOLL mobile app, at self-service terminals or from the official partner network, at the set price with no extra fees. You can buy up to 30 days before the start date.[1]
- You are responsible for entering the correct number plate, vehicle category and validity period. Check a vignette's status (Active, Expired or Unused) on bgtoll.bg with the plate and country of registration.[1]
- No sticker is needed and you do not have to show proof of purchase at a roadside check: around 300 fixed and 105 vehicle-mounted cameras check plates 24 hours a day. Customs can also check when you leave Bulgaria.[2]
- Using the paid network without a vignette is an offence. You can avoid the fine by paying the compensatory fee, which is 46.50 EUR for vehicles up to 3.5 t from 1 August 2026, immediately or within 14 days; it can be paid by bank transfer or at points of sale in cash or by card.[2]
Warnings from the official operator
- The Road Infrastructure Agency urges drivers to buy only from bgtoll.bg, the official app or the official partner network at the set price, without additional fees.[1]
Who runs the roads
Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official sources linked in this section.
Low-emission zones and stickers
No low-emission zone affecting visiting cars was found on the official pages checked (see “Not confirmed yet” below).
What must I carry in Bulgaria?
- Compulsory in cars: reflective vest, warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher.[3]
- If you bring your own car you must have your driving licence, all original registration and ownership documents, and proof of insurance valid in Bulgaria. Border officials can impound a car if they are not satisfied you own it or may use it.[4]
Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official sources linked in this section.
Speed limits and alcohol
- Built-up areas
- 50 km/h[3]
- Outside built-up areas
- 90 km/h[3]
- Motorways
- 140 km/h[3]
- Drink-drive limit
- 0.5 g/l for all drivers[3]
140 km/h on motorways and 120 km/h on expressways. Cars towing a trailer: 70 km/h on non-urban roads and 90 or 100 km/h on motorways. Daytime running lights or dipped headlights are compulsory at all times.
Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official sources linked in this section.
What UK drivers need
- You can drive in Bulgaria on a UK photocard licence without an IDP. With an old paper licence, update it or get the correct IDP (1968).[5]
- You do not need a green card in Bulgaria (it is in the EU), but you may need one in some neighbouring countries. You must have valid insurance.[4]
- Take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate if you are taking your own vehicle.[7]
- Display a UK sticker unless your number plate shows the UK identifier with the Union flag.[8]
- FCDO: vehicles registered outside the EU are treated as temporarily imported; if your car is stolen in Bulgaria you may be liable for import duty and taxes. Drink and drug driving can lead to vehicle confiscation, prison and fines.[4]
- Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 (fixed rate 1 EUR = 1.95583 lev); BGTOLL now shows vignette prices and fees in euros.[6]
- Bulgaria joined the Schengen area on 1 January 2025; its borders with Serbia, North Macedonia and Turkey are Schengen external borders.[9]
For documents, insurance, pets and border checks that apply to every country, see the driving to Europe checklist.
Checked on 11 November 2026 against the official sources linked in this section.
Official links
Sources
Every fact above links to one of these official pages. The numbers match the small links next to each fact.
- 1.E-Vignette Prices to Change from 1 August (31 July 2026) (opens in a new tab)
Road Infrastructure Agency (BGTOLL), bgtoll.bg. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 2.Questions and answers (e-vignette control, compensatory fee) (opens in a new tab)
Road Infrastructure Agency (BGTOLL), bgtoll.bg. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 3.Road rules and safety - Bulgaria (opens in a new tab)
European Commission, Your Europe (content supplied by Bulgarian authorities, last checked by them 18/09/2024), europa.eu. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 4.Bulgaria travel advice: Safety and security (road travel, tolls) (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK (FCDO), gov.uk. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 5.Driving abroad: check if you need an international driving permit (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK, gov.uk. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 6.Bulgaria and the euro (adopted the euro on 1 January 2026; 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN) (opens in a new tab)
European Commission, Economic and Financial Affairs, economy-finance.ec.europa.eu. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 7.Driving abroad (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK, gov.uk. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 8.Displaying number plates: flags, symbols and identifiers (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK (DVLA), gov.uk. Checked on 11 November 2026.
- 9.Schengen area (Bulgaria and Romania joined on 1 January 2025) (opens in a new tab)
European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu. Checked on 11 November 2026.