Bulgaria has introduced temporary traffic restrictions for heavy goods vehicles on Friday, August 7, and Sunday, August 9, 2026. The ban applies to trucks and vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible mass exceeding 12 tonnes and affects the country's busiest transit routes.
When Restrictions Apply
- August 7, 2026: Afternoon-evening peak, approximately from 14:00 to 20:00 local time.
- August 9, 2026: The same afternoon window.
Who is affected: Vehicles over 12t on designated sections of first- and second-class roads. Motorways generally remain open, but slip roads and alternative parallel roads may be closed.
Standard Exemptions
- Perishable goods
- Live animals
- Emergency and repair services
Note: The exact list of sections is published by the Road Infrastructure Agency — check it on the morning of travel.
Transit Impact and Neighboring Countries
- Romania and Serbia: After the ban is lifted, expect traffic surges at the Ruse — Giurgiu Danube Bridge and at Kalotina. Queues at the exit to Turkey (Kapitan Andreevo) traditionally grow in the evening.
Plan mandatory rest periods to coincide with the restriction hours and refuel in advance: parking spaces along transit corridors are in short supply. A similar situation occurred at the end of July — details can be found in the coverage of the Bulgarian HGV ban on July 31 and August 2.
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