FAQ Болгарія-ის საზღვრის შესახებ

📞 Emergency Services

🇺🇦 Ukrainian Embassy in Sofia

• 📍 15 Boryana Str., Sofia 1618
• 📞 +359 (2) 946-14-58
• 🌐 bulgaria.mfa.gov.ua

🚗 Road Information

• 🌐 BG TOLL: bgtoll.bg (e-vignette)
• 🌐 Road Agency: api.bg (road conditions)

⛽ Fuel Prices in Bulgaria (December 2025)

Bulgaria has the CHEAPEST fuel in the EU!

Comparison with neighbors:

• ✅ Cheaper than Romania (~€0.10/L)
• ✅ Cheaper than Greece (~€0.20/L)
• ✅ LPG is the cheapest in the EU!

Tip:

Fill up before leaving for Greece or Turkey!

💰 Speeding Fines

Bulgaria has moderate fines (lower than Hungary, France).

On motorways (140 km/h limit):

Other fines:

• 🚦 Red light: 100 BGN (~€51)
• 📱 Phone while driving: 100 BGN (~€51)
• 🔴 No seatbelt: 50 BGN (~€26)
• 🍺 Alcohol 0.05-0.08%: 200 BGN (~€102)

🇺🇸🇨🇦🇬🇧 Visa-free Entry

US, Canadian and UK citizens can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days.

Documents:

• ✅ Valid passport (6+ months)
• ✅ Return ticket proof
• ✅ Hotel booking
• ✅ Travel insurance (recommended)

UK (post-Brexit):

• ⚠️ British citizens no longer have EU freedom of movement
• 📅 90 days within 180-day period
• 💼 Work requires separate visa

EES and ETIAS:

• 🟡 EES: gradual until April 10, 2026
• ✅ ETIAS: €7 from 2026

🚗 Speed Limits in Bulgaria

Notes:

• ⚠️ Tolerance: 5-10 km/h
• 📷 Speed cameras active
• 👮 Police active on motorways
• 🍺 Alcohol: 0.05% limit

Comparison:

Bulgaria has one of the highest motorway limits in the EU (140 km/h, like Poland).

🇷🇺 Visa Required for Russians

Russian citizens NEED a Schengen visa to enter Bulgaria (full Schengen from January 1, 2025!).

Post-2022 Changes:

• ⚠️ EU suspended simplified visa regime with Russia
• 💰 Consular fee: €80
• ⏰ Processing time: up to 45 days
• 🔴 Tourist visas issued with restrictions
• ✈️ Direct RU–Bulgaria flights BANNED

Alternative Routes:

• 🇹🇷 Via Turkey: Istanbul → Sofia
• 🇷🇸 Via Serbia: Belgrade → Sofia

Restrictions:

• ❌ MIR cards don't work
• 💵 Recommended: cash in euros

⏰ Optimal Crossing Time

Best days:

• 🟢 Best: Tuesday–Wednesday
• 🟡 OK: Monday, Thursday
• 🔴 Avoid: Friday evening, Saturday morning, Sunday evening

Best time of day:

• 🟢 6:00–8:00 — minimal queues
• 🟡 10:00–14:00 — between peaks
• 🔴 Avoid: 8:00–10:00, 17:00–20:00

Seasonal patterns:

⚠️ Critical 2025-2026:

Giurgiu–Ruse: Repairs until summer 2026! +60-90 min. Alternative: Kulata (Greece) — 5-20 min.

🇺🇦 Visa-free Entry for Ukrainians

Ukrainian citizens can stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

Required Documents:

• ✅ Biometric passport (valid 3+ months after departure)
• ✅ Proof of funds: €80/day (one of the lowest in EU!)
• ✅ Accommodation booking or invitation
• ✅ Return ticket or itinerary
• ✅ Travel insurance €30,000+

Temporary Protection:

Ukrainians with temporary protection status in the EU can travel within Schengen without the 90/180 day limit.

Routes to Bulgaria:

• ✈️ Flight: Kyiv → Sofia (direct)
• 🚗 Car: UA → RO → BG

🗺️ Bulgaria's 5 Borders

1. 🇷🇴 Romania → Bulgaria (main):

• Giurgiu–Ruse — E70/A1 — ⚠️ REPAIRS until summer 2026! 1-2 hr queues
• Vidin–Calafat — E79/A2 — Western route, 30-90 min

2. 🇬🇷 Greece → Bulgaria (fastest!):

• Promachonas–Kulata — E90 — ⭐ 5-20 min! Best!

3. 🇷🇸 Serbia → Bulgaria:

• Dimitrovgrad–Bregovo — 10-30 min

4. 🇲🇰 N. Macedonia → Bulgaria:

• Delčevo–Petrich — 10-25 min

5. 🇹🇷 Turkey → Bulgaria (external EU!):

• Kapıkule — 🔴 1-5 hours! World's 2nd busiest!

🏆 5 Reasons Why Bulgaria is Easiest in Schengen

1. ✅ NO BORDER CHECKS from January 1, 2025!

• Full Schengen after 18 years of waiting
• Free movement at borders with Romania, Greece

2. ⛽ CHEAPEST FUEL IN EU!

• Petrol: €1.40–1.50/L (vs €1.70+ in Italy)
• LPG: €0.60–0.70/L — cheapest in the world!

3. 💰 LOWEST FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS!

• €80/day (vs €120 in France!)

4. 📱 EASY E-VIGNETTE!

• Buy online at bgtoll.bg
• Weekend only €5.11

5. 🟢 FAST GREEK CROSSINGS!

• Promachonas–Kulata: 5–20 min

📱 Entry/Exit System (EES) — Gradual Rollout

EES is a new biometric system for third-country nationals entering the Schengen area.

Bulgaria Status:

• 🟡 Gradual rollout until April 10, 2026
• ✅ Bulgaria is a full Schengen member
• ⏰ First registration: +10–20 min

Who it applies to:

• ✅ Ukrainian, Georgian, Moldovan citizens
• ✅ US, Canadian, UK, Australian citizens
• ✅ All visa-free third countries
• ❌ Does NOT apply to EU/EEA citizens

What's recorded:

• 📷 Facial photo
• 👆 4-finger fingerprints
• 📅 Entry/exit dates
• 📍 Border crossing point

📱 Bulgaria E-Vignette — ELECTRONIC!

Bulgaria uses ELECTRONIC e-vignette (not paper!). Mandatory for all motorways and national roads.

2025 Prices (cars):

How to buy:

• 🌐 Online: bgtoll.bg
• ⛽ Gas stations, hotels, travel agencies
• 📧 Email delivery (PDF)

⚠️ Important:

• 📱 Vignette linked to license plate
• 📷 ANPR cameras — automatic control
• 💰 Fine: €130–865 (or €31 on-spot compensation)

🇧🇬 FULL SCHENGEN from January 1, 2025!

Bulgaria is a full Schengen member since January 1, 2025 (18 years of waiting finally over!).

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (31 countries):

• ❌ NO visa required
• ✅ ID card or passport sufficient
• ✅ Unlimited stay
• ✅ NO border checks with Romania, Greece!

Visa-free countries (60+):

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇲🇩 Moldova
• 🇺🇸 USA, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 UK, 🇦🇺 Australia
• Biometric passport (3+ months valid)
• 90 days within 180 days
• ETIAS from 2026 (€7)

Visa required countries:

• 🇷🇺 Russia — Schengen visa mandatory
• 🇧🇾 Belarus — Schengen visa mandatory
• 🇹🇷 Turkey — Schengen visa (since 2023)