Bulgaria 2026: 140 km/h Motorways, 4 mm Winter Tread
Data verified:
5 min readBulgaria drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The motorway speed limit is 140 km/h. The general emergency number is 112. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC. Foreign drivers should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their valid national licence.
Driving in Bulgaria means right-hand traffic with rules that differ from home. Studded tyres are completely banned. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel in Bulgaria costs EUR 25.56-102.26 — often more than a speeding fine. The rule covers handling the device even at traffic lights, which surprises many visitors.
Driving Difficulty: Bulgaria
Improving infrastructure, vignette needed, rural roads rough
3.3/5 · Moderate (TyreMap difficulty index)
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Renting a car in Bulgaria: Bulgarian Road Trip Series · Jen and Stevo ~ Two Can Travel
Few countries in Europe post 140 km/h on their motorways, and Bulgaria pairs that with a winter rule most visitors underestimate: from 15 November to 1 March, or whenever the road is snowy or icy, tyres must carry the M+S marking and at least 4 mm of tread — twice the 1.6 mm legal minimum — while studded tyres are prohibited outright. Motorway access is by e-vignette, priced since 1 August 2026 at €5.30 for a day, €10.00 for a week and €64.50 for the year, with a €46.50 compensatory fee if you are caught without one. Rural roads are capped at 90 and towns at 50, the alcohol limit is 0.05, and the boot must hold a warning triangle, reflective vest, first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 140 km/h on motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC. You must be at least 18 to drive.
🛣️ Plan your toll: Vignette Calculator — Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania pricing.
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💡 Try it yourself: World Speed Limit Map — Bulgaria’s limits by road type, next to 194 other countries, free.
Emergency Numbers in Bulgaria
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Bulgaria, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Bulgaria
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Bulgaria are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 140 km/h on motorways.
Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 50 km/h urban, 70 km/h rural, and 100 km/h on motorways.
For comparison, motorway limits in nearby countries: North Macedonia (130 km/h), Montenegro (130 km/h), Albania (110 km/h).
Speed camera coverage in Bulgaria is relatively limited, but mobile radar units are used. The typical enforcement tolerance is about 10 km/h.
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Warning for foreign drivers: Bulgaria pursues unpaid fines through cross-border enforcement agreements. You may receive a penalty notice at your home address weeks or months after your trip.
Other common fines:
- Mobile phone use while driving: EUR 25.56-102.26
- Running a red light: EUR 51.13-153.39 + 8 penalty points
- Seatbelt violation: EUR 25.56
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, enter counter-clockwise and yield to traffic already circulating.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is illegal. The fine is EUR 25.56-102.26. Use hands-free devices only.
Daytime running lights are required in most situations. Dipped headlights must be used in tunnels, rain, and reduced visibility.
At unmarked intersections, traffic from the right generally has priority unless signs indicate otherwise.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. Safety experts recommend replacing tyres at 4.0 mm for adequate grip.
Studded tyres are prohibited in Bulgaria.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Bulgaria guide.
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment
Vehicles in Bulgaria must carry the following:
Required:
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest (high-visibility)
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
Recommended:
- Spare bulbs
Keep all equipment accessible — not buried under luggage. Police may check during routine stops.
Driving License Requirements
The minimum driving age is 18 years.
EU/EEA licences valid. Non-EU visitors should carry IDP.
Parking and Fuel
Current fuel prices in Bulgaria: petrol approximately $1.32/litre, diesel $1.28/litre (USD). Prices vary by region and station.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Bulgaria has varied conditions. Check weather forecasts before long journeys and adjust your driving to conditions. Road surfaces and visibility can change quickly with weather.
Practical Driving Tips for Bulgaria
- Speed camera warning apps (Waze, Google Maps) are legal here.
- Dashcams are legal and recommended for evidence in case of an accident.
- Police can issue on-the-spot fines. Carry cash or a valid payment card.
- Download offline maps of Bulgaria before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Check if you need a motorway vignette (toll sticker) or an environmental zone sticker for city driving.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Related tools
Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026. Figures previously published in leva were converted at the fixed statutory rate of 1.95583 leva to the euro.00 to the euro.
Speed Limits in Bulgaria
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Motorway | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
Speed Enforcement in Bulgaria
What tourists actually face on the road
Tolerance
10 km/h
Foreign Plates
Limited
Radar Apps
Legal
Dashcams
Legal
Cross-border fine collection: Bulgaria can pursue unpaid fines through EU/international agreements. Fines may be sent to your home address months after your trip.
Camera network expanding along motorways. Police stops common near borders. On-the-spot payment expected from foreign drivers.
Traffic Fines in Bulgaria
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Mobile phone use while driving | EUR 25.56-102.26 |
| No seatbelt | EUR 25.56 |
| Running a red light | EUR 51.13-153.39 + 8 penalty points |
| Speeding (1-10 km/h over) | EUR 25.56 |
| Speeding (11-20 km/h over) | EUR 51.13-102.26 + 3 penalty points |
| Speeding (21-30+ km/h over) | EUR 102.26-204.52 + 6 penalty points + licence suspension |
Penalties may vary by region and circumstances. Always check current local regulations.
Mandatory Equipment in Bulgaria
Winter tyres in Bulgaria — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are compulsory on fixed dates in Bulgaria: 15 Nov - 1 Mar.
- Legal winter tread minimum: 4 mm — not the 1.6 mm figure most guides quote, which is the year-round minimum.
- Accepted marking: Winter-designed tyre OR any tyre with at least 4 mm tread (no M+S/3PMSF requirement)
- Studded tyres: banned
- Penalty: ~€25.56 (EUR 25.56 at the fixed conversion rate; Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 Jan 2026)
In Bulgarian the rule is зимни гуми, and snow chains are вериги за сняг — that is the wording on signs, in hire-car paperwork and on any penalty notice.
Verified against national legislation, August 2026 · Full Bulgaria tyre law · Compare all countries
Licence Requirements for Foreign Drivers
EU/EEA licences valid. Non-EU visitors should carry IDP.
Emergency Numbers in Bulgaria
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Bulgaria
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Bulgaria
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guide Bulgaria needs a motorway vignette — buy it rightDriving in Bulgaria on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Bulgaria?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
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Recent changes to this page
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Converted the Bulgarian figures from leva to euro at the fixed statutory rate (1.95583). Bulgaria has been on the euro since 1 January 2026; the page still quoted BGN.
- Replaced the speeding-fine calculator link: that tool covers 17 countries and Bulgaria is not one of them, so the link could not answer the question it promised. It now points to the speed-limit map, which does cover Bulgaria.
- Fixed a concatenated licence age (1816) that rendered as "1816 years old" on the live page; the correct car age is 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Bulgaria, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 50 km/h (31 mph), rural roads 90 km/h (56 mph), and motorways 140 km/h (87 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Bulgaria, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
EU/EEA license holders generally do not need an IDP for short visits to Bulgaria. However, drivers from outside the EU/EEA should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Bulgaria for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Bulgaria are: Situational. The regulated period is: 15 Nov - 1 Mar (or when roads are snowy/icy). Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
Vehicles in Bulgaria must carry: Warning triangle, Reflective vest, First aid kit, Fire extinguisher. Failure to carry mandatory equipment can result in on-the-spot fines during police checks. It is advisable to keep all required items easily accessible in your vehicle.
The general emergency number in Bulgaria is 112. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Bulgaria. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Bulgaria, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
The minimum age to drive a car in Bulgaria is 18 years old. Some categories of vehicles (such as motorcycles or heavy vehicles) may have different age requirements. Novice drivers may face additional restrictions during their first years of driving.
Driving in Bulgaria is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Road infrastructure follows European standards. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
Bulgaria has limited ability to enforce fines on foreign-registered vehicles. However, rental car companies will always pass fines to the registered driver.
Bulgaria has limited fixed speed cameras but active mobile radar patrols. The typical enforcement tolerance is around 10 km/h above the posted limit. Speed camera warning apps (like Waze, Google Maps) are legal to use in Bulgaria.
For Bulgaria: EU/EEA driving licences are valid. An IDP is recommended but not always required. Your licence is valid for up to 12 months. Always carry your original licence alongside the IDP.
If you receive a traffic fine in Bulgaria: police may require on-the-spot payment from foreign drivers. A notice can still reach your home address, because authorities use commercial address-tracing services. What does not exist is automatic EU enforcement — Directive 2015/413 covers only eight road-safety offences and emission-zone violations are not among them. Rental car companies will always pass camera fines to the registered driver with an admin fee.
Get Driving Law Updates
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