To drive on public roads in Bulgaria, including highways (see the list of toll roads on the official website of the National Toll Administration – www.bgtoll.bg), you need to buy a Bulgaria vignette. It's best to buy it before entering the country.
The vignette can be purchased up to 30 days before your scheduled travel date.
You can choose a vignette valid for 3 days, one week, one month, 3 months or a full year. The price varies depending on the validity period and the type of vehicle you're driving: under or over 3.5 tons.
In Bulgaria, unlike other countries, there is a different payment system for passenger cars and for vehicles over 3.5 tons.
On March 1, 2020, a new electronic distance-based toll system – the Toll System – came into operation. It covers a total of 3,115 km of the Bulgarian road network, including 803 km of highway. The system is similar to the one introduced in Hungary, meaning you can pay in advance with a route ticket or through an electronic payment device.
What are the ways to pay for the vignette in Bulgaria?
Manual Bulgaria vignette payment
The Bulgaria vignette can be bought with any bank card at any self-service toll terminal (cash is not accepted), with terminals located right next to border crossings, and at the offices of the Regional Road Administrations (A.I.R.) – payment by card or cash.
This payment method is not recommended, as you can lose a lot of time at counters or waiting in endless lines.
Once paid, the vignette is valid for 24 hours and entitles you to drive on the selected road sections.
Electronic payment for the Bulgaria vignette
On the BGTOLL website
The process for paying the Bulgaria vignette is as follows:
- Select “electronic vignette”;
- Select the validity period (a weekend, a week, 1 or 3 months, 1 year);
- Set the start of the validity period (starting from…);
- Enter the country and license plate number;
- Enter your e-mail address to receive the payment confirmation;
- Select the card type and pay (transaction in leva).
Payment Bulgaria vignette via the mobile app
This is an alternative similar to the BGTOLL website. The process is similar: you enter the required information, then select the card type and pay.
Download the app:
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 F
- NSCTR (National Road Toll Collection 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!
How does it work?
- As a first step, a contract is signed between you, CargoTrack and the Bulgarian authorities;
- A virtual account is created, in which we register all your vehicle details;
- You are responsible for topping up the virtual account created with an amount that covers transit for all vehicles, based on the VAT-exempt invoice issued by CargoTrack;
- Following this process, CargoTrack will confirm activation of the BGToll service by e-mail and text message;
- You can then start driving through without any issues, with road tolls paid automatically;
- You can also view the tolls paid and your balance in real time in your account;
- Why choose CargoTrack for automatic road toll payments in Bulgaria?
The benefits of purchasing CargoTrack’s automatic BGTOLL road toll payment services are:
- Fine prevention – CargoTrack continuously checks the tracking equipment to make sure it transmits accurate information in real time.
- Saving hundreds of euros a year – through close vehicle monitoring and preventing fines that can reach hundreds of euros.
- Avoiding potential delays, since tolls are charged automatically – once the GPS equipment is installed, it records and pays road tolls automatically for you.
- Real-time vehicle information – once the service is set up, you have real-time access to the tolls paid and your account balance.
- Safety – once entered, vehicle data stays saved and is sent automatically to the RIA (Bulgarian Road Infrastructure Agency), helping you avoid data errors that can lead to costly penalties.
- The route becomes much faster and safer for drivers;
- The cheapest and fastest solution for paying tolls;
The CargoTrack mobile app for Bulgaria vignette payment
CargoTrack offers drivers who transit Bulgaria and use automatic toll devices a feature that lets them also pay road tolls by mobile phone, using the CargoTrack app.
Frequently asked questions about Bulgaria vignette payment
1. Is there an alternative to buying the classic vignette in Bulgaria?
Yes, in Bulgaria road tolls are paid mostly electronically. The vignette is no longer stuck on the windshield; instead, it's linked directly to the vehicle's license plate number, which simplifies purchasing and checking.
2. How can I pay for the Bulgaria electronic vignette before I leave?
The electronic vignette can be purchased online, through official platforms or dedicated apps. Payment is quick, and the confirmation is valid immediately or from the selected date, with no need for extra stops along the way.
3. Can I buy a Bulgaria vignette directly from my phone?
Yes, there are mobile apps that let you buy the vignette directly from your phone. They're especially useful when you don't have access to a physical point of sale or want to avoid the crowds.
4. Can I pay for the Bulgaria vignette at gas stations or physical locations?
Yes, the vignette can also be bought at physical locations, such as gas stations or self-service terminals, especially near border crossings. Still, many people prefer the online option to save time.
5. What happens if I drive without a valid vignette in Bulgaria?
Driving without a valid vignette can result in significant fines. Enforcement systems automatically check license plate numbers, and a missing valid payment is easy to detect.
6. Do the same vignette payment rules apply to vehicles from other countries?
Yes, the rules apply to all vehicles driving on Bulgarian roads, regardless of the country of registration. What matters is that the vignette is purchased correctly, according to the vehicle category.
7. Are there differences between vignette payment for passenger cars and for trucks?
Yes, there are clear differences. Passenger cars use the electronic vignette system, while heavy goods vehicles are tolled through different, distance-based systems.
8. Can I buy a Bulgaria vignette for a shorter period?
Yes, the vignette can be purchased for different periods, from one day to one year, depending on your travel needs. This flexibility is useful for transit or occasional trips.
9. How do I check whether the vignette I bought is valid?
The vignette's validity can be checked online by entering the vehicle's license plate number on the official platforms. This lets you quickly confirm that the payment is active.
10. Why is it recommended to pay for the Bulgaria vignette in advance?
Paying for the vignette in advance helps you avoid unnecessary stops, possible payment errors and the risk of a fine. Plus, you set off knowing everything is legally in order.
11. How can the Bulgaria vignette fee be paid directly through the CargoTrack app?
With the CargoTrack mobile app, drivers transiting Bulgaria can pay the Bulgaria vignette fee directly from their phone. The feature is especially useful for those who use automatic toll devices and want to avoid stops or complicated procedures, with everything handled quickly in the app.
