Countries › Bulgaria
Bulgaria
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the right
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- types C, F · 230 V
- Emergency
- 112
Entering the country
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together.
- Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago.
- EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026).
- ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go.
- In Schengen since 2025. The border with Turkey is an external border (long waits possible at Kapitan Andreevo).
Driver and insurance
- International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA).
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 50 | 90 | 140 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 50 | 70 | 100 |
In km/h. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes Vignette
Electronic vignette required on almost all roads outside towns (weekend, week, month, quarter, year), bought online (bgtoll.bg) or at the border. Over 3.5 t: distance toll. Danube bridges tolled.
Low-emission zones
None known for cars and RVs.
Boondocking Tolerated depending on the spot
Free camping banned on Black Sea beaches (fines); often tolerated inland.
Mandatory equipment
- Reflective vest, within reach
- Warning triangle
- First-aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Dipped headlights on in daytime
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Winter : Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 15 to March 1.
Good to know
- The euro replaces the lev in 2026: check whether both still circulate.
Frequently asked questions
- Bulgaria: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Schengen Area: 90 days in any 180-day period, all Schengen countries counted together. Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave Schengen and issued less than 10 years ago. EES: fingerprints and photo taken on your first entry into Schengen, then checked at each crossing (system in place since 2025-2026). ETIAS: online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026; check whether it's in force before you go. In Schengen since 2025. The border with Turkey is an external border (long waits possible at Kapitan Andreevo). International Driving Permit required with your Canadian or US licence (CAA, AAA). Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- Bulgaria: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 50 in town, 90 on rural roads, 140 on motorways (km/h). With a trailer or caravan: 70 on rural roads, 100 on motorways.
- Bulgaria: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Electronic vignette required on almost all roads outside towns (weekend, week, month, quarter, year), bought online (bgtoll.bg) or at the border. Over 3.5 t: distance toll. Danube bridges tolled.
- Bulgaria: are there low emission zones?
- None known for cars and RVs.
- Bulgaria: is wild camping allowed?
- Tolerated depending on the spot. Free camping banned on Black Sea beaches (fines); often tolerated inland.
- Bulgaria: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Reflective vest, within reach, Warning triangle, First-aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Dipped headlights on in daytime, Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back. Winter equipment depending on conditions, usually from November 15 to March 1.