Toll Bulgaria
Why do you have to pay toll fees?
Most countries in Europe charge toll fees. There is a so-called toll requirement. But what does that mean? Toll charges are levied for using certain routes, tunnels, and bridges. The money raised through tolls is invested in the road network and thus enables you to have a smooth journey on your way to your vacation. The primary areas of investment are infrastructure, traffic management and road safety, as well as environmental protection measures.
Infrastructure: construction and maintenance of roads and highways
Road safety and traffic management: new technologies such as intelligent traffic systems or toll bridges
Environmental protection: expansion of noise barriers or measures to reduce exhaust emissions
How is the toll collected?
Tolls can be collected in different forms. These include the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll, and special toll routes.
Vignette requirement: motorcycles, cars (+ trailer) & motorhomes
Under the vignette requirement, toll fees are charged that are not calculated based on kilometers driven, but correspond to a flat rate and vary depending on the duration of travel. Accordingly, you purchase a vignette before your trip and choose between the different validity periods. Depending on the vehicle class, the price of a vignette may differ. By purchasing the vignette, you make a one-time purchase that allows you to use all toll roads (excluding special toll routes).
As a rule, the vignette requirement applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t permissible gross weight (permissible gross weight: permissible total weight), but there are also exceptions. In Bulgaria, motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement, i.e., you do not need to purchase a vignette for your motorcycle. For your car with a permissible gross weight of 3.5 t, you must purchase a vignette.
If you drive a car with a trailer, you also only need one vignette as long as the two together (car + trailer) do not weigh more than 3.5 t permissible gross weight. If your car together with the trailer exceeds a permissible gross weight of 3.5 t, then you need a second vignette for your trailer. Accordingly, you still fall under the vignette requirement with your car + trailer even if the weight exceeds 3.5 t permissible gross weight. The same applies to a trip to Bulgaria with a caravan. Regardless of the total weight of the motorhome, you only need to purchase one vignette and do not have to pay a distance-based toll.
Distance-based toll: trucks over 3.5 t permissible gross weight
In contrast to the vignette requirement, the distance-based toll is not a flat rate, but depends on the kilometers driven, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emissions class (pollutant load). Accordingly, the amount of the toll fee can vary greatly. In Bulgaria, the distance-based toll applies to commercial vehicles such as trucks over 3.5 t permissible gross weight. Motorhomes and cars with trailers are exempt from the distance-based toll, even if they weigh more than 3.5 t permissible gross weight.
Payment of the distance-based toll is made either in advance by means of a route card (also called a route pass or route plan), in which you provide details about the route you want to drive, or via an electronic onboard device (On-Board Unit). The On-Board Unit must be installed in your vehicle and enables contactless payment of toll fees. The amount due is automatically debited from your stored payment method. Another option for collecting the distance-based toll is the GPS tracker.
Special toll: applies to all vehicles
The special toll is charged for certain routes that are subject neither to a vignette requirement nor to a distance-based toll. Accordingly, you must pay an additional fee to use a special toll route, even if you have already purchased a vignette or pay the distance-based toll.
Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain pass roads. In Bulgaria, special toll routes include the Danube crossings. The Danube flows through Romania and Bulgaria and also separates the two countries from each other. If you want to use one of the many bridges or the ferry to cross, additional fees apply.
Vehicle owners who require a vignette pay an additional amount on top of their vignette and must purchase a ticket to use the special toll route. Vehicles that are subject to the distance-based toll do not need to purchase a ticket, but still have to pay the special toll fee. The difference is that the amount is automatically taken into account when driving the route via the transponder.
It should also be noted that most special toll routes can be reached via vignette-required access roads or distance-based access roads. Therefore, it always makes sense to purchase a vignette or a transponder, regardless of the special toll route.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
Order your digital vignette now conveniently from home with us and benefit from the simple ordering process. Get covered for your trip and register your vehicle for a digital vignette to avoid possible fines. We want your trip with our digital vignette to be as pleasant as possible. If you would like to know whether you can avoid toll fees in Bulgaria, then take a look at our guide. We wish you a great trip. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us via our email.
FAQ: Questions and answers about your trip
Why do I have to pay toll fees in Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, toll fees are charged to finance, among other things, infrastructure, traffic management, road safety, as well as environmental protection measures. The revenue is used, for example, for the construction and maintenance of roads and motorways.
What toll systems exist in Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria there are essentially three forms: the vignette requirement (flat fee depending on validity period), the distance-based toll (kilometre-based), and special toll routes (additional fees for certain sections, e.g. Danube crossings).
Do I need a vignette in Bulgaria?
The vignette requirement generally applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW (gross vehicle weight). In Bulgaria, motorcycles are exempt from the vignette requirement. For a car up to 3.5 t GVW, you usually need a vignette.
Do I need a second vignette for a trailer?
For a car with a trailer, you generally need only one vignette as long as car + trailer together do not exceed 3.5 t GVW. If the combined gross vehicle weight is over 3.5 t, you need a second vignette for the trailer.
Does the distance-based toll in Bulgaria apply to motorhomes or cars with trailers over 3.5 t?
No. In Bulgaria, the distance-based toll mainly applies to commercial vehicles such as trucks over 3.5 t GVW. Motorhomes as well as cars with trailers are exempt from the distance-based toll – even if they weigh more than 3.5 t GVW.
How is the distance-based toll calculated in Bulgaria?
The distance-based toll is not a flat fee. It is based on the kilometres travelled, the vehicle class (number of axles), and the emission class (pollutant level). As a result, the amount of the toll can vary considerably.
How can I pay the distance-based toll?
Payment can be made, for example, in advance via a route card (Routepass/route plan) or via an electronic device (on-board unit). A GPS tracker is also mentioned as another option. With the on-board unit, the amount is usually deducted automatically from the stored payment method.
What is a special toll in Bulgaria?
Special tolls apply to certain routes that require an additional fee – regardless of whether you already have a vignette or pay the distance-based toll. Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain/pass roads.
Which special toll routes exist in Bulgaria?
Special toll routes in Bulgaria include, in particular, Danube crossings (e.g. bridges or ferries), where additional fees apply.
Do I have to pay extra for special toll routes even if I have a vignette?
Yes. A separate fee applies for a special toll route even if you have already purchased a vignette. Vehicle owners who need a vignette generally have to purchase a ticket for the special toll route.
Do I need a ticket for special toll routes if my vehicle is subject to the distance-based toll?
Vehicles that are subject to the distance-based toll generally do not need to purchase a separate ticket for the special toll route, but they still have to pay the special toll fee. The amount is taken into account when using the route via the transponder.
