Sofia LEZ 2026: Enforced Only 1 December to 28 February
Low Emission Zone · Bulgaria · Active since 2024
Source: official source · Verified: 2026-07-24
To enter Sofia's LEZ (Low Emission Zone), your vehicle needs to meet local emission standards. Sticker requirement: Compliance check. Fine for non-compliance: EUR 25.56-255.65 (varies). Operating: Daily 06:00–22:00.
Locally the zone is called Low Emission Zone Sofia (Bulgaria) — that is the wording on the boundary signs, on the official portal and on any penalty notice, so it is the phrase to search for once you are there.
Next
- Check your own car against Sofia — enter your fuel and Euro class, get a yes or no in one step.
- Sofia has a zone too — the nearest one to Sofia, and the rules are not identical.
Practical answers for Sofia
- When is the Sofia zone active?
- 24/7 (every day incl. weekends/holidays) but ONLY during the winter season 1 December - 28 February; no restriction the rest of the year That means there is no free window — the restriction applies on Sundays and public holidays too.
- How much does it cost to drive into Sofia?
- N/A · Compliance check Get it wrong and the penalty is EUR 25.56-102.26 for individuals; EUR 511.29-1022.58 for legal entities.
- Do I need to register or buy anything first?
- Compliance check
- Who is exempt in Sofia?
- Euro 5+ vehicles and Emergency vehicles. Exemptions are usually not automatic — most require registering your number plate in advance.
Sofia Low Emission Zone Map
Interactive map of the zone location — zoom in to see the streets around the marker, and confirm the exact boundary signs on arrival.
Requirements
Who pays in a hire car, whether insurance covers it, and how to appeal.
Can My Vehicle Enter Sofia?
Select your fuel type and Euro emission class to check instantly.
Exemptions
Driving Guide: Bulgaria
Speed limits, traffic rules, and equipment requirements for Bulgaria.
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Sofia’s LEZ only runs from 1 December to 28 February each year — outside that winter window nothing is enforced. Checks target mainly trucks and buses, with fines from EUR 25.56 for individuals.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Zone | LEZ (Low Emission Zone) |
| Active since | 2024 |
| Sticker | Compliance check |
| Sticker cost | N/A |
| Fine | EUR 25.56-255.65 (varies) |
| Operating | Daily 06:00–22:00 |
| Enforcement | Spot checks (mainly trucks/buses) |
| Petrol minimum | Euro 3 |
| Diesel minimum | Euro 4 |
Can your car enter Sofia lez?
Enter your vehicle's fuel + Euro class → instant verdict for Sofia lez (LEZ). Fine if wrong: EUR 25.56-102.26 for individuals; EUR 511.29-1022.58 for legal entities.
Sofia LEZ — Overview
The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Sofia, Bulgaria has been active since 2024. This zone restricts vehicles that do not meet minimum emission standards.
Who Can Enter?
- Petrol vehicles: must meet at least Euro 3 standard
- Diesel vehicles: must meet at least Euro 4 standard
- Electric vehicles: always allowed (exempt)
Sticker & Registration
You need: Compliance check. Cost: N/A.
Enforcement
Spot checks (mainly trucks/buses). Operating hours: Daily 06:00–22:00.
Fine for Non-Compliance
Driving in the LEZ without meeting the requirements will result in a fine of EUR 25.56-255.65 (varies).
Exemptions
The following vehicles are typically exempt:
- Euro 5+ vehicles
- Emergency vehicles
Before You Drive Into Sofia
- Check your vehicle’s Euro emission standard (on V5 / registration document).
- Check Sofia’s municipal portal for current rules.
- Confirm operating hours — some zones have weekend/night exceptions.
- Plan parking outside the zone if your vehicle does not comply (P+R is usually well-signed).
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.
- Page created — LEZ active since 2024, fine EUR 25.56-255.65 (varies).
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.
Part of the TyreMap Emission-Zone Dataset — 596 verified European emission zones, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0.