Car rental in Bulgaria
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Popular cities in Bulgaria
Why drive in Bulgaria
Drive from Sofia to Plovdiv via the Trakia motorway and wander into the Rhodope Mountains at your own pace. With a car you can detour to Rila Monastery or the ski slopes of Bansko without relying on tour timetables.
Along the Black Sea coast, link Varna, Burgas and quieter coves like Sozopol in a single trip. A rental gives you the freedom to mix historic towns, vineyards and beaches on routes the buses rarely cover directly.
Good to know before you drive
The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.
Speed limits
Parking
Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.
Alcohol limit
Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.
Vignette / tolls
Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.
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Practical Information for Drivers
Toll roads
Bulgaria has many toll roads, so before you rent a car you should check whether a vignette, which covers the road tax, is included. If this service is not provided, the vignette can be purchased at any petrol station, usually at the first kiosk. The cost of the vignette depends on the period it is valid for; it can be weekly, monthly or yearly:
- A document for a week will cost the driver 5 euros. It gives the right to use the roads in Bulgaria from the date of issue of the vignette.
- For 13 euros you can buy a vignette which allows you to use the roads in the country for one month from the date of issue.
- An annual vignette will cost the motorist 34 euros. It gives the right to use Bulgarian roads from 01.01 of the current year until 31.01 of the following year.
In addition, in Bulgaria there are sections of road that require separate payment, such as the bridges over the Danube, which connect the cities of Ruse and Giurgiu, and Vidin and Calafat. There are also paid ferry crossings between cities such as Turnu Măgurele, Nikopol, Silistra, Oryahovo, Bechet, Zimnicea and Svishtov.
Speed limit
Bulgaria has many major, local and bypass roads, and all of them are monitored continuously. A driver who exceeds the speed limit by more than 50 km/h will have their driving licence suspended for a period of 3 months. Speeding of more than 50 km/h is also subject to a fine of $50 for each additional 5 km/h. The table below shows the fines in different situations:
Speeding, km/h | Fine in the city, BGN | Outside the city, BGN |
Up to 10 | 20 | 20 |
11-20 | 50 | 50 |
21-30 | 100 | 100 |
31-40 | 200 | 150 |
41-50 | 300 | 200 |
Over 50 | 350 | 300 |
Fines for traffic violations in Bulgaria
If the driver violates the traffic rules in a hire car in Bulgaria, they will have to pay the fine on the spot. It is important to know the following procedures:
- Fines of up to and including 50 BGN are not subject to appeal.
- Fines must be paid at a bank; handing money directly to a police officer in Bulgaria is strictly prohibited.
Suspension of a driver's licence occurs if the speed limit has been exceeded by more than 50 km/h, or if a blood alcohol level of more than 0.5‰ is recorded. The driving licence is taken away and then sent by post to the offender's home address.
What drivers say about Bulgaria
"We visited Bulgaria for a week and the car hire really made everything effortless. Clear online instructions, quick paperwork and the car was spotless, with a full tank and phone holder already inside. Staff were friendly, spoke good English and didn’t push any extras on us."
"We got a nearly new car, fast service and fair price. Perfect for our friends’ road trip along the coast."
"I picked up the car in Bulgaria for a weekend getaway. The process was smooth and staff were polite, explaining the insurance in detail. The car was clean, economical and easy to drive through the mountains. Only wish the return desk had clearer signs at the car park."
Renting in Bulgaria — FAQ
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