Bulgaria Vignette FAQ

Since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, the e-vignette (e-винетка) prices for a car up to 3.5 t are: weekend €5.11, 7 days €7.67, 30 days €15.34, 3 months €27.61, and 1 year €49.60. The same prices apply to foreign-registered cars.

Five periods: weekend (€5.11), 7 days (€7.67), 30 days (€15.34), 3 months (€27.61) and 1 year (€49.60). The weekend vignette is unusual in Europe and handy for short trips; the 7-day option suits most transit through Bulgaria (e.g. towards Turkey or Greece).

A vignette is required on all Bulgarian motorways (автомагистрали) — including Trakia (A1), Hemus (A2), Struma (A3), Maritsa (A4), Lyulin (A6) — and on designated first-class republic roads. Local, secondary, and urban roads do not require a vignette. The full list of vignette roads is published on bgtoll.bg.

Yes, but at a significantly reduced rate. Motorcycles (Category 1 — two-wheeled motor vehicles) are required to have a vignette when using vignette roads, but they pay a lower tariff than passenger cars. The reduced rates apply automatically when you select "Motorcycle" as your vehicle type.

No. As of 1 January 2024, the previous exemption for fully electric vehicles (BEV) was removed. EVs are now required to purchase a vignette on the same terms as conventional passenger cars. Hybrid vehicles were never exempt.

The administrative fine for driving on a Bulgarian vignette road without a valid e-vignette is 3,000 BGN (approximately €1,530). This is one of the highest vignette penalties in Europe. Fines can be issued by traffic police on the spot and are also triggered automatically by the ANPR camera system.

You choose the start date and time when purchasing. The vignette can be set to begin immediately or on a future date. It is registered in the central database instantly upon purchase — no waiting period is required. Keep the confirmation email as your receipt.

The annual vignette runs for exactly 365 consecutive days from the chosen start date — it is not tied to the calendar year (1 Jan – 31 Dec). For example, a vignette starting 15 March 2025 is valid until 14 March 2026.

Bulgaria uses an automated ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system with fixed cameras installed at motorway and first-class road entry and exit points. Cameras read your plate and cross-check it against the central vignette database 24/7. Traffic police also carry out roadside and weigh-station checks with handheld scanners. There is no windshield sticker — your plate number is your proof.

The weekend vignette (€5.11) is a cheap short-term option valid from Friday 12:00 to Sunday 23:59 (Bulgarian time). It is ideal if you only cross Bulgaria over a weekend. For a few weekdays the 7-day vignette (€7.67) is the next step up.

Yes. Bulgaria joined the euro on 1 January 2026, so vignette prices are now quoted in euro (e.g. annual €49.60). You can still pay by card in euro; older lev prices you may see online are outdated.

Yes. Buy the e-винетка online at bgtoll.bg before travel, or at border crossings (e.g. Kalotina, Kapitan Andreevo), petrol stations and post offices. It is fully electronic — no sticker, and your plate is active within minutes.

Cars rented in Bulgaria normally include a valid vignette — confirm with the rental company. A car rented abroad (e.g. Romania, Greece or Serbia) will NOT have a Bulgarian vignette, so register one before using Bulgarian motorways and first-class roads.

Enter your plate in the official checker at bgtoll.bg to confirm the active period and expiry. Keep the confirmation email. With the €1,530 fine being one of Europe's highest, it is worth double-checking before you drive.