Bulgaria vs UK 2026: 140 km/h Motorways, EUR 10 Weekly Vignette

Bulgaria and the UK set different motorway and rural speed limits, drive on opposite sides of the road, and use different alcohol limits and fixed fines. The sections below compare them.

Bulgaria’s motorway limit against the UK’s

Bulgaria posts higher motorway limits than the UK, and the UK uses mph with separate limits for single and dual carriageways. Enforcement also differs: Bulgaria’s camera network is growing along its motorways, while average-speed cameras cover many UK motorways.

Alcohol limit and fixed fines

Bulgaria’s blood alcohol limit is lower than the limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and matches the limit in Scotland. Fixed fines differ between the two countries in both amount and penalty points, with Bulgaria’s fixed fines generally smaller for the offences compared here.

Foreign driving licence: how long is it valid?

Bulgaria recommends one; for a longer stay requirements vary with the licence’s origin. The UK lists a permit as not required for visitors with a full valid licence, for 12 months from the last entry to Great Britain. Driving is on the right in Bulgaria and the left in the UK.

What a speeding fine costs in each country

Bulgaria: EUR 25.56 up to 10 km/h over, EUR 51.13-102.26 plus 3 penalty points at 20, and EUR 102.26-204.52 with 6 points and a suspension at 30. Police expect payment on the spot from foreign drivers, and cross-border collection applies. UK tickets are posted: GBP 100 and 3 points up to 9 mph over, then income-based Bands A to C.

Tyre rules for winter driving

From 15 November to 1 March Bulgaria requires winter tyres or any tyres with 4 mm of tread or more, with a fine of about EUR 25.56; a winter tyre complies down to 1.6 mm. Studs are prohibited. The UK has no winter-tyre rule. Bulgaria also requires a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, vest and triangle.

E-vignette prices and emergency numbers

Bulgaria’s e-vignette (bgtoll.bg, petrol stations or border crossings) costs EUR 5.30 for a day, EUR 6.60 for a weekend, EUR 10 for 7 days, EUR 19.90 for 30 days, EUR 35.90 for 3 months and EUR 64.50 for a year; driving without one is settled with a compensatory fee of EUR 46.50. The UK charges nothing on motorways. Dial 112 in Bulgaria and 999 in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the motorway speed limit in Bulgaria?

140 km/h, about 87 mph, against 70 mph in the UK.

What does the Bulgarian vignette cost for a week-long trip?

EUR 10 for 7 days; a weekend costs EUR 6.60 and a day EUR 5.30.

What if I drive on a Bulgarian motorway without a vignette?

The fee is EUR 46.50.

Do I need winter tyres for Bulgaria in December?

You need winter tyres or any tyres with a minimum tread of 4 mm, from 15 November to 1 March.

Which alcohol limit applies in Scotland compared with Bulgaria?

0.05% in both; England, Wales and Northern Ireland allow 0.08%.

Breakdown cover and the Bulgarian e-vignette

Driving from the UK into Bulgaria means the e-vignette is a fixed cost you can plan for: EUR 10 buys seven days, and driving without one is settled with a EUR 46.50 fee. Breakdown cover for European driving is a separate decision, and a European breakdown cover guide sets out what UK policies typically include before you cross.