Penalties and Consequences Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, there is a vignette obligation. Accordingly, the toll is collected via the vignette, in order to cover, for example, the costs of maintaining the road network. As a traveler, it is necessary to purchase a vignette (motorcyclists and vehicles with a weight of over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight are exempt) in order to be able to use all routes of the Bulgarian road network without worry.

In addition to the vignette obligation, Bulgaria has a distance-based toll. The distance-based toll applies to vehicles with a total weight over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (excluding motorhomes). Before your trip, find out which vehicle class your vehicle belongs to, so you know whether you need a vignette or whether you have to pay the toll via a distance-based toll.

Penalty for not having a vignette

Anyone who uses the national roads or motorways in Bulgaria without a valid (digital) vignette must pay a fine of €153.39. For vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, a compensation fee of €46.50 is also possible instead of the fine. You pay this directly at the checkpoint or within 14 days of receiving the notice. Costs you definitely want to avoid!

Would you like to travel to Bulgaria but forgot to purchase a vignette? Then quickly do so with us, easily from home and registered digitally to your car. After all: without a vignette, you risk fines.

The special feature of the Danube crossings

Regardless of the vignette or the distance-based toll, toll fees are charged for the Vidin-Calafat Danube Bridge as well as the Ruse-Giurgiu Bridge (direction of travel toward Romania). These bridges are considered special toll routes, meaning that every vehicle owner who wishes to use them must pay a fee. We would therefore like to point out that using certain routes, such as these Danube bridges, incurs additional fees, and the vignette does not entitle you to free use of the Danube crossing.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

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