Fueling and Charging Bulgaria

Whether you drive a regular car or an electric vehicle: Bulgaria is a fantastic travel destination with good infrastructure. Nevertheless, it's advisable to inform yourself in advance about refueling in Bulgaria and charging your car in Bulgaria. That's why we've compiled the most important information and tips on the subject for you – so you're well prepared when you head to Bulgaria by car.

Charging and refueling in Bulgaria: The most important information

• Refueling in Bulgaria is easy: the country has a well-developed network of petrol stations that covers both cities and rural areas.

• Electric car Bulgaria: The network of charging stations isn't as dense yet as in other European countries, but it's being steadily expanded.

• Petrol prices Bulgaria: Petrol prices are relatively low by European standards, which makes traveling through Bulgaria particularly attractive.

• In Bulgaria, you pay with the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Alternatively, you can use your credit card.

• For the country's motorways, you also need a vignette.

The refueling and charging network

Refueling in Bulgaria is ensured by a well-developed network of petrol stations. This applies to both urban and rural regions. In addition, there are now around 500 charging stations in the country. Thanks to these, charging your car in Bulgaria is well possible, especially in large cities, along main roads, and in tourist areas.

Refueling in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers a large number of petrol stations where you can refuel as usual. The most well-known and largest providers include OMV, Avanti, Shell, Lukoil, Eko, and Petrol. These petrol stations offer all common fuel types and often additional services such as car washes, snack bars, and small shops.
The names for fuel in Bulgaria are as follows:

• Super: 95 octane

• Super Plus: 98 octane

• Diesel: Diesel

Petrol station network

The petrol station network in Bulgaria is developed nationwide. You'll find particularly many petrol stations in cities and along the motorways. In rural regions, the density may be lower. Nevertheless, you'll also find enough petrol stations here to keep you continuously supplied with fuel on your Bulgaria road trip.

Petrol prices Bulgaria

Petrol prices in Bulgaria are relatively low compared to other European countries. However, prices can vary depending on the region and provider. You can often find cheap fuel in Bulgaria at discount stations or in rural areas. In tourist regions and along the motorways, prices tend to be higher. It's worth comparing prices online and paying attention to the time of day: refueling is usually cheaper in the early morning or late evening.

Payment methods at petrol stations

At most petrol stations in Bulgaria, you can pay both in cash and by credit card. The official currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). In tourist regions, some petrol stations also accept euros, though often at an unfavorable exchange rate. It's therefore advisable to pay in lev or use a credit card. Other possible payment methods include Google Wallet or Apple Pay.

Charging an electric car in Bulgaria

Would you like to travel to Bulgaria with an electric car? This is now quite possible: there are currently around 500 charging stations in the country, and the network is being continuously expanded. In the following section, you'll find the most important information on this!

Availability and network coverage

Charging stations in Bulgaria are mainly found in large cities. You'll also find numerous charging options along the A1 and A2 motorways. In rural areas, the network is still sparser, which is why careful planning is important there.

Most charging stations in Bulgaria are located in:

• Sofia

• Stara Zagora

• Varna

• Burgas

• Russe

Providers and charging cards

The largest providers of charging stations in Bulgaria include EVN, Eldrive, and Fines Charging. These operators cover the majority of public charging stations in Bulgaria and offer reliable infrastructure. Additionally, you'll find charging stations in some supermarkets, hotels, and shopping centers. Access is often provided via special charging cards or apps. In Bulgaria, the apps EVN Bulgaria and Eldrive are mainly used. We recommend downloading these before your Bulgaria road trip.

Costs and payment when charging

The costs for charging your car in Bulgaria vary depending on the provider and charging speed. As a rule: fast-charging stations are more expensive than conventional charging stations. Payment is usually made by credit card, via an app, or with charging cards.

Tips and notes

With apps like PlugShare, Electromaps, or Chargemap, you can easily find charging stations and, if you like, plan your route in advance. The apps also show you the availability and costs of the charging stations. One more tip: it's always advisable to bring your own charging cable, as not all stations may be equipped accordingly.

Further notes on refueling & charging

Both refueling in Bulgaria and charging your car in Bulgaria are generally straightforward. Nevertheless, there are some particularities you should be aware of.

Refueling and charging in rural areas

In remote regions such as the Rhodope Mountains or the Balkan Mountains, the density of petrol stations and charging stations is lower. Plan your refueling and charging breaks in these areas especially carefully.

Refueling and charging in cities and tourist areas

In large cities and tourist regions – such as the Black Sea coast or the national parks – there are comparatively many petrol stations and charging stations. During peak season, however, these can be heavily frequented. Prices there are often higher as well.

Using apps for planning and price comparison

Apps like Electromaps or PlugShare always help you quickly find the nearest charging station. If you're looking for regular petrol stations, it's best to use Google Maps. With price comparison apps like ADAC Spritpreise, you can also check and compare the prices for refueling in Bulgaria at different petrol stations.

Don't forget the toll fee!

In Bulgaria, there is a toll requirement for motorways and expressways. This fee is paid by purchasing a digital vignette. It is required for all vehicles, including electric cars. Also be sure to note the corresponding regulations in transit and neighboring countries when you head to Bulgaria by car.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

Bulgaria has a well-developed network of petrol stations that make a Bulgaria road trip easy and uncomplicated. In addition, there are more and more options for charging your car in Bulgaria. With a bit of planning and a rough route in mind, you can travel through Bulgaria by car without worry.

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on the toll in Bulgaria in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to optimally plan your trip and be shown suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we're available at any time via email.