On This Page Bulgarian Road Rules E-Vignette System Fines and Enforcement Roads Around Sunny Beach Fuel Prices Sunny Beach Nessebar Old Town Accident Procedure Quick Checklist Frequently Asked Questions Driving in Bulgaria — Everything You Need to Know Bulgaria Driving Guide Bulgaria is one of the easier Balkan countries for a self-drive trip, but tourists get caught by the same issues: e-vignette, speed enforcement, deposit preauthorisation, and cross-border restrictions. Since 1 January 2026, Bulgaria uses the euro. This guide covers rules, tolls, fuel, parking, and accident procedure. On This Page Bulgarian Road Rules Bulgaria uses right-hand traffic. Key rules: Headlights or DRL mandatory 24/7/365 — even in sunshine. Fine: ~€10 BAC limit: 0.05% (0.5 per mille). Do not drink at all if driving Seatbelts mandatory all seats. Children under 150 cm must use child seat Mobile phone: hands-free only Roundabouts: vehicles circulating have priority Every rental car should carry: warning triangle, reflective vest per occupant, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher. Verify at pickup. Winter rules (15 Nov – 1 Mar): winter tyres mandatory (min 4mm tread). Snow chains must be carried 1 Nov – 31 Mar. E-Vignette System Electronic, linked to registration number. Enforced by ~300 fixed cameras + 100+ mobile units (ANPR plate recognition). No physical sticker. Since September 2025, section-control (average speed) cameras on the A1 Trakia. Buy at or BG Toll app. Many rental companies include it — always confirm at pickup. Fine for driving without: €153. First-time offenders may be offered ~€36 compensatory fee. Separate tolls only for Danube bridges: ~€2 (Ruse) and ~€6 (Vidin). Fines and Enforcement Speeding (urban): €10 (up to +10 km/h) to €307 + suspension (+40 km/h) Red light: Wrong direction on motorway: Average-speed cameras added September 2025 Pay within 1 month = 30% discount Foreign tourists can be fined on the spot. Rental car camera fines: sent to rental company → charged to your credit card + €15–30 admin fee. Roads Around Sunny Beach E87 (European route): main coastal artery. Burgas–Sunny Beach section is four-lane, well-maintained, flat terrain. 5 km from Sunny Beach, on peninsula via 400m isthmus. Cars restricted from old town. Severe causeway congestion in summer — arrive before 10 AM. A1 Trakia Motorway: Bulgaria's best road, fully completed 2013, 85% EU-funded. Rest stops every 50–70 km. Sunny Beach → Plovdiv: 284 km / 2h 40min. Sunny Beach → Sofia: 400–415 km / 3h 45min. Road north to Varna (95 km): narrows through Eminska Mountain. Winding two-lane, 1.5–2 hours in summer. Common hazards: aggressive overtaking, horse-drawn carts on rural roads, stray dogs, unmarked speed bumps at village entrances, poorly lit secondary roads at night. Fuel Prices Bulgaria has ~3,200 filling stations. Major brands: Petrol AD (330+), Shell, OMV, EKO, Lukoil. Prices (March 2026): Unleaded 95 ~€1.20–1.22/L. Diesel ~€1.25–1.26/L. LPG ~€0.39–0.58/L. 20–35% below EU average — among cheapest in Europe. Bulgaria uses euro since Jan 2026 — cash EUR and cards accepted at all major stations. Most stations full-service — attendant fills tank. Highway stations: 24/7. Sunny Beach Blue-line zones in summer. SMS to 1355444, ~€0.70–0.80/hr. Hotels: €4–8/night. Aggressive tow trucks — retrieval €15–30 + fine. Nessebar Old Town Car-free. Park before causeway — paid lot ~€1.50–3/hr. Free in New Nessebar, 15-min walk. Blue Zone 1 Jun – 30 Sep. Blue/green zones Mon–Sun 9:00–19:00, ~€1/hr, 3-hour max. SMS to 1356. Tourist tip: SMS parking needs local SIM. EasyPark app works in some zones. Otherwise use parking machines. Accident Procedure Stop immediately, hazard lights on, warning triangle out, reflective vest on Call 112 if: injuries, 2+ vehicles, foreign vehicle, or disputed fault Minor two-car damage with agreed fault: complete bilateral protocol (двустранен констативен протокол) — Bulgaria's European Accident Statement Both drivers fill in details, sketch incident, sign Photograph everything: damage, vehicles, insurance docs, road markings Notify rental company immediately — regardless of fault Keep all documentation for insurance claim CDW validity depends on presenting a traffic police report — without it, you're liable regardless of coverage. Quick Checklist Frequently Asked Questions