Border Crossings Romania Bulgaria

The border is mainly formed by the Danube and stretches over a length of 605 kilometres. Therefore, there is a large number of different bridges and ferry connections that serve as border crossings. These crossings thus play a particularly important role for trade, tourism and general mobility between Romania and Bulgaria. Despite EU membership, border controls still take place, often leading to long waiting times.

Border controls

Although both countries are EU members, controls still take place at their borders. This is because both countries have not yet been fully integrated into the Schengen Area. The controls often lead to long waiting times, especially for heavy goods traffic in the EU. At the most important border crossings, such as the Giurgiu-Ruse Friendship Bridge, truck drivers can wait up to ten hours to cross the border. These waiting times not only affect the flow of goods but also increase costs for companies that rely on smooth logistics.

However, something is set to change regarding border controls. According to a decision, no personal checks are to take place at the border crossings between Romania and Bulgaria from 01.01.2025. Both countries will thus become full Schengen members.

Entry requirements

To enter Romania or Bulgaria, EU citizens only need a valid identity card or passport. There is no visa requirement for EU citizens, which makes entry easier. Nevertheless, travellers should inform themselves about the current entry requirements, as short-term changes can occur depending on the situation, particularly with regard to health regulations or security policy measures for the respective country.

Border crossings between Romania and Bulgaria

Below you will find the most important border crossings between Romania and Bulgaria. It is important to note that a special toll applies at the Calafat-Vidin Danube bridge. The Romanian bridge toll at the Giurgiu-Ruse Friendship Bridge no longer applies in the direction of Bulgaria since 1 October 2026.

• Ruse - Giurgiu: This border crossing is known as the busiest road border crossing between Bulgaria and Romania. The E85 (one of the main roads of the European Union) crosses the Danube and connects the city of Ruse (Bulgaria) with Giurgiu (Romania). This border crossing therefore plays a crucial role for international trade and transit in the region. The Romanian bridge toll in the direction of Bulgaria has not applied since 1 October 2026. In the opposite direction (Ruse → Giurgiu), the Bulgarian toll still applies.

• Vidin - Calafat: In the west, crossing the Danube, this border crossing connects Vidin (Bulgaria) with Calafat (Romania). The road starts in Bulgaria as Route 11 and is called DN56 on the Romanian side. This connection is also important for European transport traffic. A special toll is also charged for this border crossing, as the bridge serves as a Danube crossing. Please note that you will need to budget for additional costs (in addition to the vignette or distance-based toll).

• Silistra - Calarasi: In the northeast lies the border crossing between Silistra (Bulgaria) and Calarasi (Romania), which is crucial for cross-border trade and economic cooperation in general. The road starts in Bulgaria as Route 7 and is called DN21 in Romania.

• Kardam - Negru Voda: Also in the northeast is the border crossing between Kardam (a village in Bulgaria) and Negru Voda (Romania). This border crossing is comparatively small, but crucial for the regional connection and exchange between the communities. The road at this border crossing is called Communal Road III-209 in Bulgaria and Communal Road DJ225D in Romania.

In addition to the border crossings mentioned, there are other ways to cross the border. However, these connections represent the most frequently used border crossings. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip and thus also the use of the border crossings.

Romania

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there are certain toll sections.

Romania: Vignette requirement (or not?)

In Romania, there is an electronic vignette called "Rovinieta", which you need for the Romanian national road network. It is important to know that trailers (combinations) do not need their own vignette, and motorhomes must have a passenger car vignette regardless of their weight. It is common for the electronic vignette that the vehicle data and the validity period of the vignette are recorded in a database, so that the consumer only receives a receipt for the amount paid, which should be kept. Depending on the vehicle class, you must choose a different vignette, and different prices apply. You can find more information on the digital vignette here. Order your digital vignette conveniently and easily from home with us.

Distance-based toll

For cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t, there is no distance-based toll in Romania. You need a digital vignette (Rovinieta). An additional special toll applies at the Calafat-Vidin Danube bridge.

Danube crossing: bridge toll (special toll)

A special toll applies at the Calafat-Vidin Danube bridge. The bridge toll at the Romanian Danube bridges Fetești-Cernavodă and Giurgeni-Vadu Oii, as well as at Giurgiu-Ruse in the direction of Bulgaria, no longer applies since 1 October 2026. For ferries, you pay the usual ferry fare. This is not a toll.

Bulgaria

The following section gives you an overview of whether you need a vignette and whether there are certain toll sections.

Bulgaria: Vignette requirement (or not?)

There is a vignette requirement on Bulgarian national roads. This vignette requirement applies to all vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW as well as motorhomes (regardless of their weight). In addition, vehicles with trailer combinations (e.g. car + trailer) that exceed the permissible total weight of 3.5 t GVW require an additional vignette for their trailer.

Motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement. In addition, vehicles with a weight of over 3.5 t GVW must pay a distance-based toll, so the vignette requirement does not apply to these vehicles.

Distance-based toll

(Commercial) vehicles with a total weight of over 3.5 t GVW must pay a distance-based toll, i.e. the length of the route used by the vehicles is calculated. The amount of the toll also depends on the Euro emission class (pollutant load), the number of axles and the type of road. Payment of the toll is made by means of a pre-purchased route card (route pass), for which the travel route must be specified. As an alternative to the route pass, a contract can be concluded with a national toll collection service provider, whereby the toll is recorded with an electronic transmitter (on-board unit) or a GPS tracker.

Danube crossing: bridge toll (special toll)

A special toll applies at the Calafat-Vidin Danube bridge. The bridge toll at the Romanian Danube bridges Fetești-Cernavodă and Giurgeni-Vadu Oii, as well as at Giurgiu-Ruse in the direction of Bulgaria, no longer applies since 1 October 2026. For ferries, you pay the usual ferry fare. This is not a toll.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant journey and lots of enjoyment on your trip. Purchase your digital vignette for Romania now. If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Contact us at any time by e-mail.