Border crossing point Giurgiu → Ruse

Detailed Information About Romania-Bulgaria Border Crossing

Current Status: The international road border crossing point Giurgiu — Ruse is the largest crossing between Romania and Bulgaria. Operating 24/7 via the historic Friendship Bridge (Danube Bridge) over the Danube River, opened in 1954. This is the main transit route E85 Bucharest–Sofia with daily traffic of 5,000–10,000 vehicles. Since January 1, 2025, both countries are full members of the Schengen Area, so border control is minimal.

Important about Schengen: Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. This means document checks are significantly simplified — only random checks of approximately 5-10% of vehicles based on risk analysis. Complete abolition of border control is expected on June 30, 2025. For Ukrainian citizens, visa-free access to both countries applies.

Bridge Renovation (2025): Since January 8, 2025, bridge renovation has begun — the right lane towards Romania is closed, traffic operates in the left lane with periodic reversible traffic (7 minutes in one direction, then 7 minutes in the other). In April–May 2025, there will be short periods of complete traffic stoppage for the second phase of works.

Basic Information

• Located on European route E85, Friendship Bridge over the Danube (2,223 km length).
• Distance from Bucharest (RO) — 65 km (~50 min), from Sofia (BG) — 300 km (~3 hours 30 min).
• From Ruse to border — 3 km (~5 min), from Giurgiu to border — 2 km (~4 min).
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Transport types: passenger cars, buses, trucks (all categories), railway transport.
• Pedestrian crossing: NOT ALLOWED. This is exclusively a road and railway bridge.
• Daily traffic: 5,000–10,000 vehicles, peak in summer and during holidays.
• GPS coordinates: 43.900000, 25.966700 (RO) / 43.850000, 25.983300 (BG)

Queues and Wait Times: Live Data

Average wait time for passenger cars — from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on season and time of day. Since the start of bridge renovation (January 2025), wait times have increased by 30-60 minutes due to reversible traffic. For trucks — from 2 to 6 hours due to customs control. Shortest queues — at night (01:00–06:00), longest — in morning hours (07:00–11:00) and evening (16:00–20:00). Queues at Romania-Bulgaria border increase in summer (June–August) and during Romanian and Bulgarian holidays.

Features after joining Schengen: Since January 1, 2025, border control is significantly simplified — only random checks of 5-10% of vehicles. However, queues remain due to bridge renovation and high traffic. Romania-Bulgaria border online monitoring helps avoid the longest queues.

To check queue length at the border and current status of crossing points, use:

• nakordoni.eu: Romania-Bulgaria border online — live user reports, queue photos, wait time forecasts, real-time queue monitoring.
• politiadefrontiera.ro (Romanian Border Police): Official status of crossing points.
• mvr.bg (Bulgarian Ministry of Interior): Information about queues on the Bulgarian side.
• Surveillance cameras: Live cameras from both sides of the border are available on nakordoni.eu for queue length monitoring.
• Monitoring: RO→BG, BG→RO, statistics.

Guide for Different Categories

Passenger Cars: Required documents: passport (biometric for Ukrainian citizens), vehicle registration, international driver's license, Green Card insurance (valid throughout the EU, including Romania and Bulgaria). For Ukrainian citizens: visa-free entry to both countries as EU and Schengen members (up to 90 days within 180 days). Since January 1, 2025, document checks are random (5-10% of vehicles).

Buses: International bus routes Kyiv–Bucharest–Sofia, Odesa–Ruse regularly pass through this checkpoint. Passenger checks may take up to 30 minutes after joining Schengen (previously — up to 1 hour). Required documents for all passengers: passports, insurance.

Trucks: Mandatory preliminary customs declaration CMR, TIR-carnet, invoices for goods. After joining Schengen, customs control remains for goods inspection, but without passport control for EU drivers. For Ukrainian drivers — document checks. Recommended to arrange all documents in advance through a customs broker.

Motorcycles: Allowed to cross under standard rules for passenger cars. Required documents: passport, vehicle registration, driver's license, Green Card insurance.

Infrastructure and Services

• Parking: Large free parking on the Romanian side (Giurgiu, 1 km before bridge), paid parking on the Bulgarian side (Ruse, 100-200 BGN/hour or 2-4 leva/hour). During renovation, parking is limited.
• Gas Stations: Petrom and OMV stations on the Romanian side (Giurgiu, 2-3 km before bridge), Lukoil and Shell on the Bulgarian side (Ruse, 5 km after bridge). Prices: gasoline ~7.5 RON/liter (RO), ~3.0 BGN/liter (BG).
• Food: Cafes, restaurants on both sides. Romanian cuisine (mici, sarmale), Bulgarian cuisine (shopska salad, kebapche). Average prices: lunch 40-80 RON (RO) or 15-30 BGN (BG).
• Currency Exchange: Exchange offices on both sides, but rates are usually unfavorable — recommended to exchange in cities (Bucharest, Ruse, Sofia) or use ATMs.
• ATMs: Available on both sides, accept international Visa/Mastercard cards. Cash withdrawal fee — 2-5%.
• Toilets: Paid on the Bulgarian side (0.50-1 BGN or 1-2 leva), free on the Romanian side. Operating 24/7.
• Medical Assistance: First aid point on the Romanian side (Giurgiu), hospital in Ruse (3 km from border).
• WiFi/4G: EU roaming available (no additional charges for EU users). For Ukrainians — roaming or local SIM cards Orange/Vodafone (RO), Vivacom/Telenor (BG).
• Shops: Small shops with souvenirs, drinks, snacks on both sides of the border.

New Changes at Border: Schengen (2025) and Future Changes

• Full Schengen (from January 1, 2025): Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. This means abolition of systematic border control between the two countries. Document checks are now random (5-10% of vehicles) based on risk analysis until June 30, 2025, after which control will be completely abolished.
• For Ukrainian Citizens: Visa-free regime to EU/Schengen remains unchanged (up to 90 days within 180 days). Biometric passport required.
• EES (Entry/Exit System): Starting November 2025, automatic biometric registration of entry/exit for third-country nationals upon EU entry begins. Fingerprint and facial scanning required at first crossing. Procedure takes 2-3 minutes per person.
• ETIAS (from 2026): From mid-2026, Ukrainian citizens will need to obtain electronic authorization ETIAS for EU/Schengen entry. Cost €7, validity 3 years, online processing on official website.
• Bridge Renovation: Friendship Bridge renovation will continue throughout 2025 with periodic traffic restrictions. Follow updates on official website friendshipbridge.eu.

Alternative Crossings

Tip: If the queue at Giurgiu–Ruse exceeds 2 hours during renovation, consider the alternative via Calafat–Vidin (only 300 km detour to the west, but much shorter queues and newer bridge).

Practical Tips

• Optimal crossing time: Night hours (01:00–06:00) — minimal queues even during renovation. Avoid morning hours (07:00–11:00), weekends, and Romanian/Bulgarian holidays.
• Bridge Renovation: Since January 2025, reversible traffic operates (7 minutes each way). Expect additional 30-60 minutes delay. In April–May 2025, short periods of complete traffic stoppage possible.
• Prepare documents in advance: Passport, vehicle registration, driver's license, Green Card insurance — all documents should be readily available, although checks are now random (Schengen).
• Cash: Have Romanian lei (RON) and Bulgarian leva (BGN) for parking, toilets, food. Exchange rate: 1 EUR ≈ 5 RON ≈ 2 BGN. Exchange offices at border have unfavorable rates — better use ATMs or exchange in cities.
• Mobile Communication: From 2025, EU roaming applies without additional charges for EU users. For Ukrainians — roaming (check rates) or local SIM cards Orange/Vodafone (RO ~5-10 EUR), Vivacom/Telenor (BG ~5-10 BGN).
• Food and Water: Bring food and water, especially if traveling with children — queues during renovation can be long (2-3 hours).
• Surveillance Cameras: Check border situation in real-time on nakordoni.eu before departure. Live cameras show queue length on both sides of the bridge.
• Summer Season: In June–August, queues increase 2-3 times due to tourist season. Plan departure in advance or use alternative crossings (Calafat–Vidin).
• Historical Landmark: Friendship Bridge (1954) — one of the longest bridges over the Danube (2.2 km). Beautiful river views, but photography on the bridge is prohibited while in motion.

Services and Contacts

• Emergency numbers: 112 (Romania/Bulgaria — single European emergency number)
• Romanian Police: +40 21 9551 (Giurgiu)
• Bulgarian Police: +359 82 822 155 (Ruse)
• GPS Giurgiu (RO): 43.900000, 25.966700
• GPS Ruse (BG): 43.850000, 25.983300
• Address Giurgiu: Romania, Giurgiu County, Giurgiu City, Friendship Bridge / DN5B / E85
• Address Ruse: Bulgaria, Ruse Region, Ruse City, Danube Bridge / E85
• Customs Phone (RO): +40 246 213 333
• Customs Phone (BG): +359 82 888 701
• Romanian Border Police Info: +40 21 9551
• Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Info: +359 2 982 50 00
• Official Friendship Bridge Website: friendshipbridge.eu
• Web Cameras: Available on nakordoni.eu for real-time queue monitoring
• Queue Monitoring: RO→BG, BG→RO, statistics