Bulgaria's car travel costs rise: Vignettes up 30%
Romanian drivers heading to Bulgaria, whether for vacation or in transit to Greece or Turkey, will face higher fees for using national roads. The Bulgarian government has announced a 30% increase in tariffs for electronic vignettes, with the new prices set to take effect on August 1, according to the G4media.ro portal, citing Mediafax.
The Bulgarian government has approved a 30% increase in the rates for electronic vignettes for cars weighing up to 3.5 tons. This marks the first increase in these fees since 2019, according to reports from The Sofia Globe.
As a result, the price of the annual vignette will rise from approximately 49.6 euros to 64.5 euros. The quarterly vignette will now cost 35.9 euros, up from 27.6 euros. Other vignette types will also see price increases: the monthly vignette will cost 19.9 euros, the weekly vignette will be 10 euros, and the weekend vignette will cost 6.6 euros. For a single day of driving, the fee will be 5.3 euros.
Impact on Romanian drivers
This increase is particularly relevant for Romanian drivers, as Bulgaria serves as the main road route to Greece and Turkey. Additionally, it is a popular holiday destination for tens of thousands of Romanians each summer.
All vehicles using Bulgarian national roads must have a valid electronic vignette, and failure to obtain one may result in penalties. For those who frequently pass through Bulgaria, especially during the holidays, the increase in fees will mean higher travel costs, regardless of the vignette's validity period.
Projected revenue from fee increases
Bulgarian authorities estimate that the tariff increase will generate additional budget revenues of over 22.5 million euros by the end of 2026 and over 54 million euros in 2027. Prime Minister Rumen Radev's government claims that the funds raised will be used to finance road infrastructure and cover maintenance expenses for the national road network.
Important information for drivers
The new tariffs will take effect on August 1, so drivers planning to enter Bulgaria after this date should factor these increased costs into their travel budgets. Remember that the electronic vignette remains mandatory for driving on national roads in Bulgaria, and it must be purchased before using the toll road network.
