Bulgaria Vignette 2026
Buy Your e-Vignette Online
Skip border queues and avoid unnecessary fines. Purchase your Bulgaria e-vignette in just a few clicks. Valid on all Bulgarian motorways and national roads.
Purchase Bulgarian E Vignette
Do You Need a Vignette for Bulgaria?
Vignette Bulgaria — yes, if you are driving any motor vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes on Bulgarian motorways or national roads, you need a valid e-vignette. Unlike most European countries, the vignette obligation in Bulgaria extends to virtually all national roads — not just motorways. This applies to all vehicles regardless of registration country. UK, RO, DE, GR, RS, and TR plates are subject to the same obligation as Bulgarian-registered vehicles. Motorcycles are exempt.
Enforcement is fully automated: BG Toll ANPR cameras, dedicated roadside control vehicles, and Traffic Police scan licence plates 24/7. There are no manual checkpoint stops.We drove through multiple border crossings in March 2026 and found ANPR gantries active immediately on the Bulgarian side at every single one.
Drivers entering from Romania pay a separate toll at the Danube crossing, charged in addition to the e-vignette. Two bridge crossings and several ferry services operate across the river.
Vehicles That Require an e-Vignette
Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes need a valid e-vignette. As do vans, SUVs, and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes. Motorhomes exceeding 3.5 tonnes can still use the vignette system. Motorhomes exceeding 3.5 tonnes are also eligible to buy a digital vignette for Bulgaria — an exception, introduced in February 2024, to the general rule that vehicles over 3.5 tonnes fall under the distance-based BG Toll system. Rental vehicles fall under the same rules — the obligation follows the vehicle, not the driver's nationality.
Bulgaria has had a 100% digital vignette system since January 2019. There is no physical sticker. Once purchased, your licence plate is registered immediately in the official bgtoll.bg NTA database. ANPR cameras verify your status automatically — there is no need to carry any document in the vehicle. That said, we recommend keeping your confirmation email or PDF accessible on your phone. Although rare, roadside officers may request proof of purchase.
Who Doesn't Need a Bulgarian e-Vignette?
Motorcycles and three-wheelers (fewer than 4 wheels) are fully exempt. Agricultural machinery and tractors do not require an e-vignette. Bulgarian emergency vehicles (police, fire, ambulance, and military) are also exempt.
Persons with a registered disability of 50% or more are eligible for a free annual Bulgaria vignette, applied for directly through bgtoll.bg. The same exemption applies to parents or guardians of permanently disabled children — up to the child's 18th birthday, or up to age 20 if the child is still completing secondary education. Trailers only require a separate Category 3 vignette if the combined mass of vehicle and trailer exceeds 3.5 tonnes. If the total remains under 3.5 tonnes, one vignette covers both.
Vehicles Over 3.5 Tonnes
Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes — including buses and HGVs — do not use the e-vignette system. These vehicles fall under the BGTOLL distance-based toll scheme. The rate depends on the vehicle's Euro emission class, number of axles, and road type. Payment can be made in advance via a Route Pass, for which the planned route must be specified, or through a contract with a national toll collection provider using an on-board unit (OBU) or GPS tracker. Route Passes are available at vignette sales points at all border crossings, via the BGTOLL app, and online.
We already mentioned that heavy motorhomes are an exception: even if the vehicle exceeds 3.5 tonnes, motorhomes can still purchase an e-vignette rather than using the distance-based system.
Where Does the Bulgaria Vignette Apply?
The digital vignette is required on all Bulgarian motorways (A-roads) and on virtually all designated national republic roads — approximately 12,500 km of the network, defined under Council of Ministers Decision 959/2018. This is broader than most European vignette countries: coverage extends well beyond motorways to the majority of main national roads.
ANPR cameras enforce compliance automatically. There are no toll booths or checkpoint stops. Scanning begins the moment you enter the network.
Field Observation
Kapitan Andreevo BCP, March 2026: Although manual vignette checks are rare, passport controls were in place on both entry and exit. Border Police were checking documents using modern scanners — the process was quick for passenger vehicles. Large-scale customs scanners were also operational at the checkpoint. Our team passed through Kapitan Andreevo as part of road research across the Bulgarian motorway and national road network.
Major Toll Routes
| Route | Name | Corridor | Key border crossing |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Trakia | Sofia → Plovdiv → Stara Zagora → Burgas | Kalotina BCP (Serbia/UK/DE entry) |
| A2 | Hemus | Sofia → Botevgrad → Veliko Tarnovo → Shumen → Varna | Danube Bridge 1: Giurgiu–Ruse (Romania) |
| A3 | Struma | Sofia → Pernik → Blagoevgrad → Sandanski → Kulata | Kulata BCP (Greece) |
| A4 | Maritsa | Chirpan → Harmanli → Lyubimets → Svilengrad → Kapitan Andreevo | Kapitan Andreevo BCP (Turkey) |
| A5 | Cherno More | Varna → Obzor → Sunny Beach → Burgas | Coastal resort route |
| A6/E79 | Europe | Sofia → Slivnitsa → Kalotina | Danube Bridge 2: Calafat–Vidin (Romania) |
Toll Road Map
Toll-Free Sections
Toll-free access in Bulgaria is extremely limited. Short sections of approximately 300–500 metres exist immediately after major border crossings — at Kapitan Andreevo, Kulata, Kalotina, and Danube Bridge 2 — before the first ANPR gantry, giving drivers just enough road to reach a petrol station or layby with a vignette machine. At Danube Bridge 2 (Calafat–Vidin), which our team crossed in March 2026, that section is around 400 metres. Once past the gantry, a valid e-vignette is required.
Do not rely on border kiosks — always buy your Bulgaria vignette online before travel.
Driving Without a Valid Vignette in Bulgaria
The NTA operates approximately 300 fixed ANPR cameras across the Bulgarian motorway network, plus 105 mobile enforcement units covering all motorway entry points and regular intervals on national roads. Enforcement is fully automated, 24 hours a day — there are no toll booths and no manual entry checks. On A1 Trakia near Vakarel (km 25) in March 2026, we passed an NTA mobile team actively pulling vehicles over for spot checks. Officers carried handheld scanners and a POS card terminal for on-the-spot payment.
How Enforcement Works
- ANPR cameras — Fully automated. No manual stop at network entry. Fixed cameras capture every passing plate 24/7.
- Compensatory fee: €35.79 — paid on the spot to an NTA mobile team via POS card terminal. No formal violation report is issued.
- Administrative fine — no vignette + obscured plate €255.65 (BGN 500) if the licence plate is unreadable or covered at the time of the offence.
- Police mobile scanners: operational at petrol stations and rest areas alongside NTA mobile units.
- Administrative fine — no vignette €153.39 (BGN 300) if not settled within 14 days of detection.
- International enforcement: fines sent to the registered address. NTA cooperates with EU and non-EU customs agencies for collection.
Bulgaria motorway toll enforcement cameras close-up. Photo: Ujjawal
The compensatory fee allows on-the-spot settlement without a formal violation being recorded. Once a violation report is drawn up, the higher administrative fine applies. Vignette status is also checked on exit at Kapitan Andreevo, Kulata, and Danube Bridge 2.
Prices for passenger cars, vans, SUVs, motorhomes and trailers are the same. See full price table.
Prices verified April 2026 at bgtoll.bg.
Crossing into Bulgaria from Romania: Danube Bridge and Ferry Tolls
| Crossing | Type | Car (one way) | Motorhome | Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danube Bridge 2: Calafat (RO) – Vidin (BG) | Bridge | €6/ 27 RON | €6 / 27 RON | Free |
| Danube Bridge 1: Giurgiu (RO) – Ruse (BG) | Bridge | €2/ 15 RON | €2/ 15 RON | Free |
| Bechet (RO) – Oryahovo (BG) | Ferry | €25 | €35 | €10 |
| Turnu Magurele (RO) – Nikopol (BG) | Ferry | €14 | €14 | €5 |
| Zimnicea (RO) – Svishtov (BG) | Ferry | €20 | €20 | €3 |
Electric Vehicles
Vehicle Categories Explained
How to Buy a Bulgaria Vignette Online
Buying your vignette for Bulgaria online takes under two minutes at vignettebulgaria.com — the go-to Bulgaria vignette site for international drivers.
Step-by-Step
Enter vehicle details
Enter your licence plate number, country of registration, vignette duration, and start date.
Submission to bgtoll.bg
We submit your details directly to the official bgtoll.bg NTA system.
Added to national database
Your licence plate is added to the national toll database, meaning ANPR cameras can verify your status immediately.
Instant email confirmation
You receive a near-instant email confirmation from the official Bulgaria vignette registry, which details your licence plate number, vehicle type, and vignette start and end dates.
We submit directly to the official NTA bgtoll.bg system — not a third-party database.
What the Service Fee Covers
Flexible payment:
PayPal, Revolut, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, Klarna, and local payment methods.
Error correction and fine guarantee:
If we make a registration error on our part, we cover the resulting fine.
Check Your Bulgaria Vignette Validity
After purchase, verify your official vignette registration at vignettebulgaria.com.Enter your plate number and country of registration for instant status confirmation.
- 1. Go to the Bulgarian Vignette Validity Checker
- 2. Select your car’s country of registration
- 3. Enter your license plate number
- 4. Click “Verify”
Why Buy Online Instead of at the Border?
Purchasing a Bulgarian vignette online is faster, safer, and available 24/7 from any device — all major payment methods accepted, no queues, no kiosk downtime, no language barrier.
Border kiosks at Kapitan Andreevo, Kulata, and Kalotina exist, but don't count on them. Hours can be limited, queues form fast at peak times, and more critically, ANPR cameras are active from the first metre after the border crossing — before you could reach any kiosk. When we passed through Kapitan Andreevo in March 2026, the on-site terminal had a queue of 15+ vehicles during evening hours.
We advise you to buy a Bulgarian vignette before you travel.
Our Experience
Why Trust Us?
We are a third-party reseller, not affiliated with the Bulgarian government or the NTA — but when you purchase through us, you receive the official Bulgaria vignette. We register your licence plate directly in the official bgtoll.bg NTA system. Our team conducts first-hand field research across the European motorway network — we drive the roads, cross the borders, and document what we find.
For Bulgaria, our team including CEO Mattijs Wijnmalen drove A1 Trakia (Sofia–Burgas), A2 Hemus (Sofia–Varna), A3 Struma (Sofia–Kulata), and A4 Maritsa (Plovdiv–Kapitan Andreevo) as part of active road research. Border crossings visited include Kapitan Andreevo (Turkey), Kulata (Greece), Kalotina (Serbia), and Danube Bridge 2 at Calafat–Vidin (Romania). During A1 Trakia research near Vakarel (km 25, March 2026), our team directly observed an NTA mobile control team conducting spot checks on the carriageway.
With over 10 years of European toll experience and more than 50,000 e-vignettes registered for international drivers, we combine operational expertise with genuine on-the-ground knowledge.
If we make a registration error on our part, we cover the resulting fine. No caveats.
During A1 Trakia research near Vakarel (km 25, March 2026), our team directly observed an NTA mobile control team conducting spot checks on the motorway.
With over 10 years of European toll experience and more than 50,000 e-vignettes registered for international drivers, we combine operational expertise with genuine on-the-ground knowledge.
And if we make a registration error on our part, we cover the resulting fine. No questions asked.
If there's one thing to take away from this guide, it's this: the Bulgarian system is simple, but only if you're prepared.
Once you're on the road, everything is automated. There are no barriers, no reminders, and few second chances. Buying your vignette in advance takes just a couple of minutes and avoids a situation that can quickly turn into a fine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Bulgaria vignette?
Do I need a vignette to drive in Bulgaria?
How do I buy a Bulgaria vignette online?
Where can I buy a Bulgaria motorway vignette?
What is the price of a Bulgaria vignette in 2026?
How long is a Bulgaria vignette valid for?
How does a Bulgaria vignette work?
Is the Bulgaria vignette electronic?
What types of Bulgaria vignette are available?
Which roads in Bulgaria require a vignette?
What is the fine for no vignette in Bulgaria?
Do motorcycles need a vignette in Bulgaria?
Does my trailer need a vignette in Bulgaria?
Do I need a vignette just to transit through Bulgaria?
How do I check if my Bulgaria vignette is valid?
What is the difference between a vignette and a toll in Bulgaria?
Can I get a refund on a Bulgaria vignette?
How do I enter special characters in my licence plate?
This part is important, as small errors can lead to fines. You must enter your licence plate in capital letters and numbers only. Spaces, dots, and commas are not permitted, so please omit them entirely.
Umlauts (Ä, Ü, Ö) — keep these exactly as they are. Do not convert them to AE, UE, OE. For example: A German plate from Überlingen should be entered as ÜB-AB123, not UEB-AB123. Entering the wrong form can result in a fine.
Other diacritics (accents, háčeks, etc.) — remove the accent and use the base Latin letter. Á becomes A, Č becomes C, and so on.
The letter O and the number 0 — these are not the same, so double-check your physical plate carefully and enter the correct character.
If you're unsure how your plate is registered in your home country's vehicle database, check your vehicle registration document before purchasing your vignette.
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