Bulgaria Toll Roads and e-Vignettes

Purchasing an e-vignette is straightforward and can be done online or at various points of sale:

• Online: The E-Vignette Bulgaria website allows you to purchase an  official e-vignette using a credit or debit card. Simply enter your vehicle’s registration number, choose the vignette type, and complete the payment.
• Mobile App: There is also a mobile app available for purchasing and managing your e-vignette.

The Bulgaria e-vignette is an electronic document as per Bulgarian law, recognized under the electronic document and certification services framework. It confirms the payment of the vignette fee required for using Bulgaria's paid road network over a specified period.

Types of Electronic Vignettes:

Depending on the validity period, the Bulgaria e-vignette options include annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and weekend vignettes. These are valid from the purchase day and time indicated as the starting date. Always verify the start and end date and time of validity when purchasing a digital toll sticker for Bulgaria.

Vehicles Subject to Vignette Fees Vignette fees apply to road vehicles with a total technically permissible maximum mass up to or equal to 3.5 tonnes, including:

• Vehicles with at least four wheels intended for passenger transport.
• Vehicles with at least four wheels intended for goods transportation.
• Off-road vehicles.

Exemptions:Motorcycles, tricycles, and ATVs are exempt from paying vignette fees.

Special Cases: If the combined weight of a car and trailer/caravan exceeds 3.5 tonnes, purchasing a separate Bulgaria toll sticker (Category 3) for the trailer/caravan is mandatory. The validity period of the trailer/caravan vignette may differ from that of the car. Additionally, camping vehicles of Category M1, as indicated in their vehicle registration certificate, are subject to a vignette fee, irrespective of whether their total permissible technical maximum mass is below or above 3.5 tonnes.

Purchasing the Vignette: Bulgaria toll vignettes can be purchased online E-Vignette Bulgaria The vehicle owner is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the information provided when purchasing the Bulgaria toll vignette.

Driving without a valid e-vignette on Bulgaria's toll roads can result in significant fines. Authorities regularly monitor vehicles using automated systems that check for compliance. If caught without a valid vignette, you may be fined up to 300 BGN (approximately 150 EUR).

In Bulgaria, certain road sections require additional toll payments beyond the standard Bulgaria e-vignette. These are known as special toll sections and typically include major bridges, tunnels, and highways where additional fees are necessary due to the significant infrastructure and maintenance costs involved.

• Special toll sections are designated areas on the road network where additional charges apply, even if you already have a digital toll sticker for Bulgaria.
• These sections are clearly marked with signs, and drivers are required to pay the toll either at the entrance or exit of these sections.
• Payment methods may include cash, card, or electronic payment options. It's essential to ensure that you have the correct means to pay these additional tolls.
• Failure to pay the toll on these sections can result in penalties, which may include fines or other legal consequences.

1. Danube Bridge (Ruse-Giurgiu): Connecting Bulgaria and Romania, this bridge requires an additional toll fee.
2. Hemus Motorway (A2): Toll sections on this motorway are often linked with tunnels or mountainous regions where infrastructure costs are higher.
3. Maritsa Motorway (A4): Certain segments of this motorway may include special toll sections, especially around key junctions or major urban areas.

• Always check for updated information on special toll sections before traveling in Bulgaria. The toll sections and fees may change depending on the road maintenance and government policies.
• Having a Bulgaria toll vignette does not exempt you from paying tolls on these special sections, so plan your journey accordingly.

For drivers looking to explore Bulgaria while avoiding toll charges, there are alternative routes that do not require an e-vignette. Although the e-vignette system applies to most major roads and highways, there are still ways to navigate the country using toll-free routes. Here’s a guide to help you plan your journey while bypassing toll charges.

Bulgaria’s toll-free roads are primarily local roads that run parallel to major highways or connect smaller towns and villages. These roads are often less crowded, offering a more scenic and relaxed driving experience. Here are some key toll-free options:

1. Local Roads Parallel to the A1 (Trakia Motorway)
• Alternative Route: Instead of using the A1 Motorway, you can opt for secondary roads, such as road I-6, which runs from Sofia to Burgas. This road passes through several towns and offers beautiful countryside views.
• Route Features: I-6 is a slower alternative to the A1 but allows you to avoid the e-vignette while still reaching the Black Sea coast.


2. Routes Around the A2 (Hemus Motorway)
• Alternative Route: Road I-4 offers an alternative to the A2 Motorway, running between Sofia and Varna. This route is toll-free and passes through towns like Lovech and Veliko Tarnovo.
• Route Features: I-4 is a scenic road, providing an opportunity to explore more of Bulgaria’s historical and cultural landmarks, though it may take longer than the motorway.


3. Bypassing the A3 (Struma Motorway)
• Alternative Route: For those traveling between Sofia and Greece, you can bypass the A3 by taking road I-1. This route also connects to the E79 road, which runs through the beautiful Kresna Gorge.
• Route Features: I-1 is a slower but toll-free route to the Greek border, offering stunning natural scenery along the way.


4. Skirting the A4 (Maritsa Motorway)
• Alternative Route: Drivers heading towards the Turkish border can use the I-8 road, which runs parallel to the A4. This toll-free route connects Plovdiv with Svilengrad.
• Route Features: The I-8 road takes you through smaller towns and offers a more relaxed pace of travel compared to the A4 Motorway.

• Plan Ahead: While toll-free routes are available, they can be slower and less direct than motorways. Make sure to plan your journey carefully, allowing extra time for the drive.
• Check Road Conditions: Local roads may not be as well-maintained as motorways, so it’s a good idea to check road conditions, especially during winter or bad weather.
• Fuel Up: Fuel stations may be less frequent on local roads, so ensure you have enough fuel before setting out on toll-free routes.

Driving within the limits of cities and towns in Bulgaria generally does not require an e-vignette. If you are only traveling short distances within urban areas, you won’t need to worry about toll charges. This makes local travel within cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna toll-free, as long as you stay on city streets and avoid national roads.

If you’re entering or leaving Bulgaria through a border crossing, you may want to take toll-free routes to avoid the need for an e-vignette as soon as you enter the country. Many border crossings have nearby roads that are toll-free, allowing you to enter the country without immediately needing to purchase an e-vignette.

Bypassing toll charges in Bulgaria is possible by using the network of toll-free roads that run parallel to the major highways. While these routes may take longer and may not be as fast as the motorways, they offer a scenic and cost-effective way to explore the country. Whether you’re avoiding tolls for a day trip or planning a longer journey, Bulgaria’s toll-free roads provide an alternative option for budget-conscious travelers.