On March 1, 2020, Bulgaria launched a new electronic distance-based toll system – Toll System. The new road toll payment system in Bulgaria covers a total of 3,115 km of the Bulgarian road network, including its 803 km of highways (see the list of toll roads on the official website of the National Toll Administration – www.bgtoll.bg).
The system is similar to the one introduced in Hungary, meaning you can prepay with a route pass or through an electronic toll payment device.
Transit rates
The following toll rates have been set for the use of toll roads (Bulgarian lev BGN/km):
Where the actual distance traveled by the vehicle cannot be determined for reasons other than a technical failure of the electronic toll collection system, the toll is charged at the following maximum rate:
BGTOLL payment options – the new road toll payment system in Bulgaria
- With a route pass
Once paid, the route pass is valid for 24 hours and entitles you to drive on the selected road sections.
When the pass is issued, you must specify: the starting point, the destination and up to 4 intermediate points, the vehicle registration number, country of registration, vehicle category, emission class, number of axles and vehicle dimensions.
Tickets for paying road tolls in Bulgaria can be purchased as follows:
- With any bank card at any self-service toll terminal (no cash), with the terminals located right next to the border crossing points
- At the cash desks of the Regional Road Administrations (A.I.R) – payment by card or cash;
- Online via the website bgtoll.bg or the mobile app.
It is very important to note that the ticket can be purchased up to 7 days in advance by registered users and 24 hours in advance by unregistered users. Registration is done online and is a very simple process that only requires validating your e-mail address.
- With a GNSS device
The toll can be paid through a device mounted on the vehicle's dashboard, as follows:
- The installed device generates the data needed to calculate the road toll correctly
- The data is sent and then processed by the NETSPs (National Electronic Toll Service Providers) or by EETS (European Electronic Toll Service) providers and forwarded to the Bulgarian authorities.
- Finally, the service providers then guarantee payment of the toll owed by the road user.
If you choose this option, you must pick a provider that can offer this solution. Fortunately, CargoTrack can supply and install this Device specifically for you, so you can forget all about worrying over road toll payments!
Penalties
If you fail to meet your payment obligations on the Bulgarian road network, the penalties you may receive range from 1,800 BGN to 3,000 BGN (920€ – 1534 €). Toll payment is enforced by nearly 300 fixed cameras and 105 vehicles that check vehicles in the system day and night by reading their license plates.
You can easily be penalized if:
- You drive the vehicle on a toll road without meeting the obligations for determining the distance traveled or without paying for the section driven;
- You pay the road toll only partially due to an incorrect data declaration;
- An illegible or covered registration plate;
- Your balance is insufficient to pay the road tolls;
We must emphasize that if you drive without paying the road toll, the vehicle will be temporarily impounded for up to one month, during which time the owner must pay the road toll and the related fine.
General information on paying road tolls in Bulgaria
The system for paying the Bulgaria vignette is similar to the one introduced in Hungary, meaning you can pay in advance with a route pass or through an electronic toll device.
The new road toll payment system in Bulgaria applies to vehicles with a maximum authorized weight exceeding 3.5 tons and varies according to vehicle characteristics:
- Vehicle category;
- Number of axles;
- Emission class;
- Distance traveled;
The road toll can also vary by road category, as follows:
- For vehicles ≤ 3.5 tons ⇒ you pay an electronic vignette (“e-vignette”) that covers highways, expressways and also “most lower-class roads.”
- For vehicles > 3.5 tons (trucks, commercial transport, etc.) ⇒ payment is made through the BGTOLL system, using an on-board unit (OBU) or an occasional “Route Pass” for transit.
Rates by road type (road/road category) & vehicle category
According to sources, rates (for vehicles > 3.5 t) differ based on: the vehicle’s weight/number of axles/emission class + the type of road traveled — highway, class I road (national), class II road (county/local).
| Vehicle category / number of axles | Highway (per km) | Class I road (national) | Class II road (local/county) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5–12 tons | 0.10–0.13 BGN/km | 0.06–0.09 BGN/km | 0.04–0.07 BGN/km |
| > 12 tons, 2–3 axles | 0.26–0.30 BGN/km | 0.22–0.25 BGN/km | 0.19–0.23 BGN/km |
| > 12 tons, ≥ 4 axles | 0.35–0.43 BGN/km | 0.32–0.39 BGN/km | 0.29–0.37 BGN/km |
Rates also depend on the vehicle’s emission class — more polluting vehicles may pay more; if the vehicle runs on alternative fuel, some discounts apply (usually a reduction to nearly half of the maximum limit).
Other important details/rules for paying road tolls in Bulgaria
If your vehicle is ≤ 3.5 t — you don’t pay per km; instead, you buy the e-vignette: the prices (after the 2025 increase) are: 7 days – 15 leva, 1 month – 30 leva, 3 months – 54 leva, 1 year – 97 leva, weekend – 10 leva.
Payment for trucks (> 3.5 t) is made through an electronic system (on-board device) or a “Route Pass” for occasional use.
Failure to pay the toll can result in serious fines: for trucks, the fine can be substantial.
Paying road tolls in Bulgaria – frequently asked questions
What is BGTOLL and why was it introduced?
BGTOLL is Bulgaria’s official electronic road toll system — it replaces the old physical vignettes and is used both for cars (through the electronic vignette) and for heavy vehicles (trucks, buses) through distance-based tolling.
Who has to pay through BGTOLL?
All vehicles driving on toll roads in Bulgaria — cars with a maximum weight of up to 3.5 tons use the electronic vignette, while vehicles over 3.5 tons (trucks, buses, etc.) pay based on the distance traveled.
How can you buy the vignette or pay the road toll through BGTOLL?
Payment can be made online through the official website or mobile app, as well as at self-service terminals, physical points of sale or gas stations — so a physical windshield sticker is no longer needed.
What validity options does the electronic vignette for cars offer?
The vignette can be valid for different periods: from one day (or a weekend) to one week, one month or even one year — depending on your travel needs.
How is the toll calculated for heavy vehicles (trucks, buses)?
For vehicles over 3.5 tons, the toll is calculated based on the number of kilometers traveled, the number of axles, the tonnage and — sometimes — the emission class.
What happens if you drive without a vignette/paid toll?
Driving without a valid vignette or without paying the toll can lead to fines — the authorities use fixed and mobile camera monitoring systems to check registration plates.
What are the advantages of BGTOLL over the old system for paying road tolls in Bulgaria?
Using an electronic system to pay road tolls in Bulgaria greatly simplifies the process: payment can be made online, you no longer need to stop at gas stations or ticket counters, the e-vignette cannot be lost or damaged, and everything is managed digitally — saving time and reducing risks.
Are there updated 2025 rates for vignettes and road tolls in Bulgaria?
Yes — since May 1, 2025, road toll rates in Bulgaria have increased by approximately 10%.
What do you need to know when buying the vignette (what details to enter)?
To pay road tolls in Bulgaria, you need to enter the registration number, the vehicle’s country of registration, the vehicle category, the emission class (if applicable) and the desired validity period.
Is the BGTOLL system also mandatory for Romanians transiting Bulgaria?
Yes — regardless of nationality, if you drive through Bulgaria with a vehicle that falls into the categories mentioned, you must have the vignette/toll paid according to BGTOLL rules to avoid fines.
