You want to travel through Bulgaria by car and think that your knowledge of the traffic rules in Germany will somehow suffice? However, there are some differences in behavior and traffic rules between Bulgaria and Germany. To ensure that your trip is not accompanied by fines or other annoyances, we have summarized the most important information for you here.
The German driving license is sufficient. Drivers who are not the owner of the vehicle must carry a power of attorney from the owner. The registration certificate part I must also be carried.
The German license plate is sufficient as proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance, but we recommend taking the IVK (International Insurance Card) with you. This shows that your car has third-party liability insurance and you can apply for the card free of charge from your car insurance company. This also includes checking with your car insurer for sufficient insurance cover before starting your journey.
A high-visibility vest is compulsory for the driver, but in the event of an accident or breakdown, everyone must wear a high-visibility vest when leaving the vehicle. It is therefore advisable to carry as many high-visibility vests as there are people in the car.
A warning triangle, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit must also be carried.
A vignette is compulsory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tons and motorhomes regardless of weight. Motorcycles are exempt. Since recently, motorhomes over 3.5 t GVW also pay the toll by means of a vignette and no longer depending on the route, as well as commercial vehicles.
Commercial vehicles over 3.5 t pay a distance-based toll. The amount of the toll to be paid depends on the Euro emission class, the number of axles and the type of road. Payment is made in advance using a route map, route pass or route plan, in which the route must be specified. There is also the option of concluding a contract with a national toll collection service provider and paying the toll using an electronic transmitter (on-board unit) or a GPS tracker.
If the gross vehicle weight of a combination of vehicles exceeds 3.5 tons, an additional vignette must be purchased for the trailer.
An additional toll must be paid for the Danube crossing towards Romania
The validity of your vignette is checked by many cameras and control vehicles. You can purchase the digital vignette easily and immediately valid here with us.
In principle, there are many rules that also apply in Germany. Nevertheless, there are also some differences and new rules. To give you an overview of the general traffic rules in advance, here is a summary of the most important basic rules.
The blood alcohol limit is 0.5. - 0.0 applies to novice drivers who have held a driving license for less than 2 years.
It is compulsory to drive with lights on all day in Bulgaria. This applies all year round. This means that you must always drive with dipped headlights or alternatively daytime running lights.
The traffic lights in Bulgaria often have no yellow phase between red and green. The change is then announced by a second counter.
Vehicles registered in Bulgaria must be equipped with winter tires. Winter tires are not mandatory for foreign vehicles.
Snow chains may be fitted to all vehicles and are mandatory on some stretches of road if the weather conditions require it. The maximum permitted speed with snow chains is 50 km/h.
Accidents should always be reported to the police. Regardless of the extent of the accident.
140 km/h is only permitted on the highway if it is a newly built section of road. Pay attention to the signs on site.
The Bulgarian police can confiscate your driver's license for alcohol and speeding violations. This will then be sent to Flensburg by the Bulgarian authorities.
Excerpt from the catalog of fines: https://www.fine catalogue.org/bulgaria/
The so-called “small ring road” is a small area in Sofia that is a low emission zone. From December 2025, the “large ring road” area, which covers larger parts of the city center, will also become a low emission zone.
Vehicles that are not allowed to enter:
Vehicles authorized to enter do not have to register
The low emission zone applies around the clock from December 1 of each year until the end of February of the following year.
Bulgaria is one of the countries with the cheapest diesel and petrol prices in Europe. The filling stations are also easy to reach everywhere and you don't have to drive far to the nearest filling station.
Charging stations, on the other hand, are not yet so widespread and are mainly available in the country's capital Sofia. However, the number of charging stations is being greatly expanded and by 2025 there should already be over 10,000 charging stations in total.
There is only one hydrogen filling station, which is why we do not recommend traveling to Bulgaria in a hydrogen car.
Taking fuel in reserve canisters is prohibited
Although you can drive a car in Bulgaria from the age of 18, you can only rent a car from the age of 20. In addition, you must have held your driver's license for at least one year.
Pay attention to whether a vignette has already been purchased for the rental car or not.
If you have a valid vignette and follow the rules described in this article, nothing stands in the way of your stress-free journey through Bulgaria. You can purchase your digital vignette for Bulgaria directly from us.
