Border crossing point Calafat → Vidin

Detailed Information About Romania-Bulgaria Border Crossing

Current Status: The international road border crossing point Calafat — Vidin is the second most important crossing between Romania and Bulgaria. Operating 24/7 via the New Europe Bridge (Danube Bridge 2) over the Danube River, opened in 2013. This is a modern 1.9 km bridge on route E79 Craiova–Vidin–Sofia with daily traffic of 2,000–4,000 vehicles. Since January 1, 2025, both countries are full members of the Schengen Area, so border control is minimal. Bridge toll: ~€6 (passenger cars).

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.

Advantages over Giurgiu–Ruse: Newer bridge (2013 vs 1954), shorter queues, has bicycle lanes and pedestrian zones. Ideal for Craiova–Sofia route, but 300 km west of Bucharest.

Basic Information

• Located on European route E79, New Europe Bridge over the Danube (1.9 km length).
• Distance from Craiova (RO) — 90 km (~1 hour 20 min), from Sofia (BG) — 200 km (~2 hours 30 min).
• From Vidin to border — 2 km (~4 min), from Calafat to border — 1 km (~2 min).
• Operating hours: 24/7
• Transport types: passenger cars, buses, trucks (all categories), railway transport, bicycles, pedestrians.
• Pedestrian crossing: ALLOWED. Separate pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes on the bridge.
• Daily traffic: 2,000–4,000 vehicles, peak in summer.
• GPS coordinates: 43.983300, 22.933300 (RO) / 43.983300, 22.883300 (BG)
• Bridge toll: Passenger cars ~€6, trucks ~€40-80 depending on category. Payment by cash (RON, BGN, EUR) or card.

Queues and Wait Times: Live Data

Average wait time for passenger cars — from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on season and time of day. Significantly shorter queues compared to Giurgiu–Ruse. For trucks — from 1 to 3 hours due to customs control. Shortest queues — at night (01:00–06:00), longest — in morning hours (08:00–11:00). 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. Main delay — paying bridge toll (2-5 minutes). 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.
• vidincalafatbridge.bg: Official bridge website with toll information and operating schedule.
• politiadefrontiera.ro (Romanian Border Police): Official status of crossing points.
• mvr.bg (Bulgarian Ministry of Interior): Information about queues on the Bulgarian side.
• 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). 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). Bridge toll payment: ~€6 or equivalent in RON/BGN.

Buses: International bus routes Craiova–Sofia, Bucharest–Vidin regularly pass through this checkpoint. Passenger checks may take up to 20 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. Bridge toll: €40-80 depending on category and number of axles. Recommended to arrange all documents in advance through a customs broker.

Cyclists and Pedestrians: Allowed to cross on separate bicycle/pedestrian lanes on the bridge. Free for cyclists and pedestrians. Required documents: passport, insurance.

Motorcycles: Allowed to cross under standard rules for passenger cars. Required documents: passport, vehicle registration, driver's license, Green Card insurance. Toll: ~€6.

Infrastructure and Services

• Parking: Large parking directly before customs point on both sides. Free parking on Romanian side (Calafat), paid parking on Bulgarian side (Vidin, 2-5 BGN/hour).
• Gas Stations: Petrom and Rompetrol stations on Romanian side (Calafat, 3 km before bridge), Lukoil and Shell on Bulgarian side (Vidin, 2 km after bridge). Prices: gasoline ~7.5 RON/liter (RO), ~3.0 BGN/liter (BG).
• Food: Small cafes on Romanian side, several restaurants in Vidin (2 km after border). Romanian cuisine (mici, ciorba), Bulgarian cuisine (shopska salad, moussaka). Average prices: lunch 30-60 RON (RO) or 10-20 BGN (BG).
• Currency Exchange: Exchange offices operate on Bulgarian side (Vidin), but rates are usually unfavorable — recommended to exchange in cities or use ATMs.
• ATMs: Available on both sides, accept international Visa/Mastercard cards. Cash withdrawal fee — 2-5%.
• Toilets: Paid 24/7 on both sides (0.50-1 BGN on Bulgarian side, 2-3 RON on Romanian side).
• Medical Assistance: First aid point on Bulgarian side, hospital in Vidin (5 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 drinks and snacks on both sides of the border. Duty Free on Bulgarian side for non-EU countries (but not for Romania-Bulgaria after Schengen 2025).
• SOS Stations: Located along the bridge for emergencies (breakdowns, accidents). 24/7 contact.

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.
• Bridge toll remains: After joining Schengen, bridge toll remains mandatory for all vehicles (except pedestrians and cyclists). This is an infrastructure fee, not related to border control.
• 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.

Alternative Crossings

Tip: Calafat–Vidin is the ideal choice for Craiova–Sofia route. Newer bridge, shorter queues, but 300 km west of Bucharest. If traveling from Bucharest/Plovdiv — Giurgiu–Ruse will be a shorter route despite longer queues.

Practical Tips

• Optimal crossing time: Night hours (01:00–06:00) and morning hours before 08:00 — minimal queues. Avoid peak 08:00–11:00 and weekends.
• Prepare cash/card for toll: Bridge toll ~€6 (passenger cars) is paid at bridge entrance. RON, BGN, EUR cash or card (Visa, Mastercard) accepted. Prepare money in advance to avoid delaying the queue.
• 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.
• 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 — although queues are shorter than at Giurgiu–Ruse, delays of 1-2 hours possible in summer.
• Surveillance Cameras: Check border situation in real-time on nakordoni.eu before departure.
• Summer Season: In June–August, queues increase due to tourist season. Plan departure in advance.
• Cyclists and Pedestrians: Only bridge between Romania and Bulgaria with separate bicycle/pedestrian lanes. Free. Beautiful Danube views, but be careful — windy.
• Emergency assistance on bridge: In case of breakdown on the bridge, use SOS stations along the bridge to contact emergency services. Do not leave vehicle unattended.

Services and Contacts

• Emergency numbers: 112 (Romania/Bulgaria — single European emergency number)
• Bridge emergency service (24/7): Use SOS stations on the bridge
• Romanian Police: +40 251 231 515 (Calafat)
• Bulgarian Police: +359 94 600 606 (Vidin)
• GPS Calafat (RO): 43.983300, 22.933300
• GPS Vidin (BG): 43.983300, 22.883300
• Address Calafat: Romania, Dolj County, Calafat City, New Europe Bridge / E79
• Address Vidin: Bulgaria, Vidin Region, Vidin City, Danube Bridge 2 / E79
• Customs Phone (RO): +40 251 231 200
• Customs Phone (BG): +359 94 606 020
• Romanian Border Police Info: +40 21 9551
• Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Info: +359 2 982 50 00
• Official Bridge Website: vidincalafatbridge.bg
• Web Cameras: Available on nakordoni.eu for real-time queue monitoring
• Queue Monitoring: RO→BG, BG→RO, statistics
• Bridge Tolls (2025): Passenger cars ~€6, motorcycles ~€3, buses ~€20-30, trucks €40-80 depending on category. Free for pedestrians and cyclists.