Driving to Bulgaria - everything you need to know

Bulgaria is a frequent destination for Polish holidaymakers. Many decide to organize trips in travel agencies, but there are those who plan their own vacation. If you belong to the latter group and are planning a trip by car, be sure to read our article. Here is what you should know before you travel to Bulgaria!

What will you learn from this post?

• How much do vignettes cost in Bulgaria?
• Could crossing the Bulgarian-Romanian border be associated with additional costs?
• Are the traffic rules in Bulgaria different from those in Poland?

Shortly speaking

When crossing the border with Bulgaria by car, you will need a passport, driver's license (driver's license), a car registration certificate and a valid civil liability insurance policy. To travel on Bulgarian roads, you need to purchase a vignette, the absence of which can result in a significant fine. Traffic rules and mandatory car equipment are very similar to Polish ones.

Required documents

Although Bulgaria is not yet part of the Schengen area, at the border you only need to present an identity cardalthough, of course, a passport is also possible. The driver of the car must also have valid driver's license, vehicle registration certificate and proof of purchase of a civil liability insurance policy... A green card is not required, but as an internationally recognized document, it can expedite formalities to obtain possible compensation. When traveling with a rented car, the law also requires notarization of auto loan confirmation in Bulgarian, English, German or French. The police rarely ask for this, but it's better to play it safe. At the end of the day, none of us wants unnecessary worries on vacation.

Border crossing

To enter Bulgaria means to pass border control... Travelers from Poland can choose a route via Romania or Serbia. The queues at all crossings are not very long, usually the waiting time is from several tens of minutes to two hours. Choosing a road through Romania and the Danube border crossing requires you to pay a ferry or bridge crossing fee.. Mowa tu o przejściach Giurgiu - Ruse, Vidin - Calafat, Silistra - Calarasi, Oryahovo - Becket, Nikopol - Turnu Magurele oraz Svishtov - Zimnitsa.

Road tolls

The road infrastructure in Bulgaria is good (800 km of tracks), a trip around the country is paid. Therefore, the purchase of a vignette is mandatory.... Until recently, it was in the form of a window sticker, but from January 2019 introduced electronic vignetteswhich can be purchased at www.bgtoll.bg and www.vinetki.bg. There are also vignette vending machines at border crossings and at some gas stations. The fees are not overpriced. In the case of a passenger car, a weekend vignette costs BGN 10 (PLN 22), and a weekly vignette costs BGN 15 (PLN 33). For the absence of a valid vignette, you can get a fine of 300 leva., that is, 660 zlotys.

Traveling with the whole family and need more space for your luggage?

Traffic Laws

Traffic rules in Bulgaria are very similar to Polish ones.. Speed ​​limits: on motorways - 130 km/h, outside built-up areas - 90 km/h, in built-up areas - 50 km/h. These are worth keeping an eye on because the police love to catch inattentive drivers from hiding, and speed cameras abound. Dipped beam driving is mandatory around the clock only from the beginning of November to the end of March. Like in Poland, in Bulgaria The obligation to wear seat belts applies to all passengers in the vehicle.... When talking on the phone, the driver of the car must use a hands-free kit. The allowed alcohol limit for the driver is 0,50 ppm.

Auto equipment in Bulgaria

The obligatory car equipment in Bulgaria is practically the same as in Poland. In addition to the triangle and the fire extinguisher, you should also have a first aid kit with you.... According to the Vienna Convention, cars registered in Poland must only have equipment that is compulsory in their country. However, we recommend that you take your first aid kit with you. It does not take up much space and will avoid unnecessary conversations with the police, and it is always best to have them on hand.

Planning a vacation trip? Remember to change the oil early, check all bulbs and check the car. Everything you need to care for your car can be found at avtotachki.com.

Photo: avtotachki.com, unsplash.com,