Vignette Bulgaria—do I need a toll vignette for Bulgaria?
Are you about to travel to Bulgaria by car, motorhome or caravan? Or are you travelling across Bulgaria, perhaps on your way to Turkey? Then consider getting an electronic toll vignette beforehand, as you will not be allowed to drive on Bulgarian motorways without one! The vignette Bulgaria is a digital vignette that is linked to the license plate of your vehicle. It is mandatory for all motor vehicles (except motorbikes) that use toll roads in Bulgaria, specifically all motorways. By purchasing this e-vignette, you are effectively fulfilling your obligation to pay a toll in Bulgaria in advance. So, don’t forget to arrange this ahead of time, thereby avoiding unpleasant surprises at your destination. The fines for driving without a vignette are quite steep! Incidentally, some border crossings, bridges and ferries are subject to a separate toll, which you must pay on-site. These are not covered by the Autobahn vignette Bulgaria...
Read below which types of vignettes are available and how you can order them. Our convenient ordering process allows you to safely and quickly buy a vignette Bulgaria from the UK, and it instantly shows you which e-vignette is most suitable. Finally, you can set off for Bulgaria without having to worry about tolls. Have a good trip!
Where to purchase the toll vignette Bulgaria?
The toll vignette Bulgaria is only available in a few places. You will not find it at the ABTA, and it is also very difficult to purchase it along the way. Therefore, we recommend that you buy your vignette Bulgaria online in advance through a reliable intermediary. This is the safest and most convenient option.
At the ABTA
The ABTA can assist travellers in many ways, but, unfortunately, they do not provide the Autobahn vignette Bulgaria. You will have to buy it somewhere else! Make sure you arrange this well in advance to avoid any delays to your journey!
En route
Are you currently at the Bulgarian border, and were you unable to arrange an e-vignette before you left home? Then you will have to go to great lengths to get one. Without a vignette, you are officially trespassing, and you may face a hefty fine! In Bulgaria, you can only purchase the vignette via computer terminals at a limited number of outlets. This usually requires a valid debit card or Bulgarian currency. If you want to travel through Bulgaria peacefully and hassle-free, it is better to arrange your vignette in advance at home!
Easy online purchase at evignette.co.uk
Since it is so convenient, many people purchase their official vignette Bulgaria online from evignette.co.uk. You can do this at home from your computer. All it takes is a few clicks! Those who order before 5 p.m. on weekdays will receive the e-vignette in their inbox on the same day. If you speak Bulgarian, you can, of course, visit the Bulgarian website and pay a few euros less. However, many travellers prefer to use our ordering process in English, as well as our incredibly fast digital delivery.
You can order the vignette Bulgaria by using our useful tool, which will provide you with the necessary toll vignette Bulgaria in just a few simple steps:
- Select the type of vehicle
- Select “automatic calculation” or “order individual vignettes”
- Enter the effective date
- Enter the final date
- Find out which option works best for you
- Click on the “Add to cart” button
- Fill in your details
- Pay the required amount in euros
- You will receive your digital vignette from us
As you can see, the entire ordering process is a breeze. All you have to do is fill in a few boxes and make your payment. Once this is done, everything will be arranged for you so that you can travel in peace. Since your license plate is automatically entered into the toll system of the Bulgarian authorities, you have fulfilled the toll obligation and your e-vignette is officially registered. Remember to hold on to the e-vignette for a while as tangible proof, should you ever receive an unjustified traffic fine.
Vignette Bulgaria—digital toll vignette
In the past, it was necessary to apply a toll sticker to the windscreen if you wanted to travel through Bulgaria. Many people think that this is still the case, but it is not! Since Bulgaria only works with digital toll vignettes now, the only way to comply with the Bulgarian toll obligation is by using the e-vignette. Applying a toll sticker to your windscreen or buying a toll vignette at a petrol station is really a thing of the past. Therefore, you cannot purchase a Bulgaria vignette at the Bulgarian border anymore! And you will no longer receive a sticker by post to your home.
Nowadays, your license plate is registered in the database of the Bulgarian motorway authority and electronically linked to your vehicle. As soon as you cross the border and use the toll roads in Bulgaria, you are monitored and verified by a sophisticated camera system. These verifications are very strict, so staying out of sight is almost impossible. Please don’t take that risk—the fines are enormous!
Did you order a toll vignette Bulgaria from evignette.co.uk? Then you will receive a confirmation e-mail from us containing the application certificate. Print it out and take it with you on your journey through Bulgaria. If you order the vignette before 5 p.m., it will be delivered to your inbox that same day, including weekends.
Toll roads Bulgaria—which roads are subject to tolls?
In Bulgaria, a toll is required on all major roads, including motorways and other main roads. The toll is actually a type of road tax intended to allow the use of the road infrastructure. You can therefore assume that all roads on your journey through Bulgaria will be subject to tolls. You only need the e-vignette for motor vehicles weighing up to 3500kg and carrying up to eight people. This includes most cars, motorhomes, caravans, vans and trailers. Different regulations apply to heavier and special vehicles. Motorbikes are not subject to tolls in Bulgaria, so they can ride around freely.
If you’re travelling to Bulgaria in a normal passenger car, you cannot go without a Bulgarian e-vignette. If you arrange this at home in advance, you are sure to be properly registered with the road authority by the time you enter the country. This is both convenient and relaxing. If you cannot prove you have already paid the mandatory toll during your journey through Bulgaria, you can expect a hefty fine. A fine that is much higher than you are used to in the UK or surrounding countries!
The map below indicates all Bulgarian toll roads.
Paying an extra toll for bridges and ferries
The Danube is a mighty river that flows on the border of Bulgaria and Romania. At various locations, impressive bridges and fast ferries allow you to cross. They often have to be paid for separately, so they are not included in your “normal” digital toll vignette! Currently, there is a separate toll for the following bridges and ferries:
Bridges:
Ferries:
- Oreahovo – Bechet
- Nicopol – Turnu Măgurele
- Svishtov – Zimnicea
- Silistra – Calarasi
The toll vignettes for bridges and ferries can be bought at tollbooths and petrol stations along the roads leading to these bridges. The rates are based on the type of vehicle you are driving. There is no toll for motorbikes. Make sure you bring some Bulgarian money with you, as you can generally only pay in cash at these bridges. It should be possible to pay in euros as well, but you should not rely on this!
Other countries on your route
To get to Bulgaria, you also have to drive through a number of other countries. All of these countries have their own regulations on paying tolls. Sometimes, the toll only applies to certain sections of motorways; other times, it applies to all major roads. Similarly, the types of vehicles subject to tolls also vary from country to country.
People driving to Bulgaria will also need the following vignettes:
- Czech Republic
- Germany
- Austria
- Slovakia
- Romania
At evignette.co.uk, you can quickly and easily purchase the necessary e-vignettes for each of these countries. Click on your country of choice for more information on all the available options.
Bulgaria vignette—costs and fees
There are no more printed vignettes in Bulgaria, only digital ones. Your vignette is linked to your vehicle’s registration number and instantly registered in the road authority’s system. If you order your vignette atevignette.co.uk, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail almost instantly. Printing your vignette is not necessary, but it is recommended. This way, you will always have tangible proof in case you should have a dispute along the way.
Below, you will find the rates for the e-vignette Bulgaria, applicable to cars in category 3 (up to eight persons and max. weight 3500kg). Our rates always include application, processing and registration. You can pay safely and quickly online with iDEAL, PayPal or a credit card.
|
Weekend
|
Week
|
Month
|
Year
|
|
€ 5,20
|
€ 8,00
|
€ 15,50
|
€ 50,00
|
How many days should your e-vignette be valid?
You have the choice between short and long validity periods for e-vignettes in Bulgaria. The option you choose is determined by the number of days you will spend driving in Bulgaria, not the number of kilometres. So, consider how often and for how long you intend to travel through Bulgaria and then select the appropriate vignette. The digital vignettes for Bulgaria are available for one weekend, one week, one month or one year. The following time limits apply:
- Weekend vignette: valid from Friday 12.00 to Sunday 11.59 p.m.
- Weekly vignette: valid for seven consecutive days.
- Monthly vignette: valid for one month (until the same date in the next month).
- Annual vignette: valid for 13 months (from 1 January to 31 January in the following year).
The most suitable toll vignette for you depends on the duration and frequency of the journey. For a single transit journey on the weekend, the weekend vignette is ideal. For a short holiday, the weekly vignette will be more suitable. If you want to stay in Bulgaria a bit longer, you should choose the monthly vignette. And if you intend to travel to, in or through Bulgaria several times a year, then the annual vignette is your best choice.
Can’t figure it out? No problem. Our ordering process will help you choose. It instantly shows you which e-vignette is best for you.
What vehicles require an e-vignette?
The Bulgarian vignette requirement applies to all motorised traffic with four wheels and a maximum weight of 3500kg. This means motorbikes do not need a Bulgaria vignette. Do you drive a vehicle with a trailer, caravan or semi-trailer with a combined maximum weight of more than 3500kg? Then you will have to purchase a separate trailer vignette. If the total weight is less than 3500kg, the e-vignette for the towing vehicle will be sufficient. Lorries weighing more than 3500kg must pay a separate toll via a toll box. We do not offer this product.
Toll roads Bulgaria—inspection and fines
If you are using the Bulgarian toll roads, the Bulgarian authorities are constantly checking whether or not you actually hold an e-vignette. This starts as soon as you cross the border into Bulgaria. Strategically placed cameras are everywhere along the roads, scanning your license plate! In addition, the traffic police are also very active in this regard. Did you get caught as the owner of a vehicle without a valid e-vignette? Then you can count on a hefty fine, which is considerably higher than the price of the vignette. You will receive your fine very quickly, as your registration number is already registered in the system. That is why it is so easy to track you. We therefore have two important recommendations for you:
- All vignettes are valid for a certain period after purchase (one weekend, one week, one month, one quarter or one year). So please calculate in advance how long you intend to stay in Bulgaria and select an e-vignette that leaves a little margin. This way, you make sure that you are not just one day short!
- Corruption is almost part of everyday life in Bulgaria. So always make sure you bring a colour printout of your e-vignette with you as proof of payment!
Be careful with hire cars!
Do you want to drive a hire car in Bulgaria? Then pay extra attention to whether the car has a toll vignette! If you hire the vehicle in Bulgaria, the car hire company may possibly have arranged for an e-vignette. Possibly, but not necessarily! So always check it yourself before you drive off! If the vehicle is registered elsewhere (i.e., in another country), you will usually not have a vignette, so you will have to go buy it yourself. Our tip: Do you want to avoid problems along your journey? Then always consult with the vehicle hire company in advance. This makes for a smooth trip!
