Refueling and Charging Bulgaria

Charging and refuelling in Bulgaria: The most important information

• Refuelling in Bulgaria is simple: the country has a well-developed network of petrol stations covering both cities and rural areas.

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

• Petrol prices Bulgaria: Petrol prices are relatively low by European standards, making travelling through Bulgaria particularly attractive.

• In Bulgaria, you have been paying with the euro since 1 January 2026. Alternatively, you can use your credit card.

• For motorways and national roads, you also need a vignette (vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight).

The refuelling and charging network

Refuelling 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 possible, especially in large cities, along main roads and in tourist areas.

Refuelling in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers a wide range of petrol stations where you can refuel as usual. Among the best-known and largest providers are 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 comprehensive. You'll find particularly many petrol stations in cities and along the motorways. In rural regions, the density may be lower. Nevertheless, you'll still find enough petrol stations here to keep you supplied with fuel throughout 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 motorways, prices tend to be higher. It's worth comparing prices online and paying attention to the time of day: refuelling 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 has been the euro since 1 January 2026, so you pay at petrol stations in euros as normal. 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 entirely 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

• Ruse

Providers and charging cards

Among the largest providers of charging stations in Bulgaria are 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 at some supermarkets, hotels and shopping centres. 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 for charging

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

Tips and notes

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

Further notes on refuelling & charging

Both refuelling in Bulgaria and charging your car in Bulgaria are usually straightforward. Nevertheless, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Refuelling and charging in rural areas

In remote regions such as the Rhodope Mountains or the Balkan Mountains, the density of petrol stations and charging points is lower. Plan your refuelling and charging stops particularly carefully in these areas.

Refuelling 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 points. However, these can be very busy during peak season. Prices there are also often higher.

Using apps for planning and price comparison

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

Don't forget the toll!

In Bulgaria, there is a toll requirement on motorways and national roads. This fee is paid by purchasing a digital vignette. It applies to all vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight with at least four wheels, including electric cars, as well as class M1 motorhomes regardless of weight. Motorcycles are exempt, while other vehicles over 3.5 t pay a distance-based toll. Also note the relevant regulations in transit and neighbouring countries when you're heading 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 simple and straightforward. In addition, there are increasingly 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 with complete confidence.

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment exploring this diverse country. For more information on tolls in Bulgaria, please see our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and be shown suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we're always happy to help by email.