With a car rented in Bulgaria, you can travel to other European countries. We tell you what documents are required to cross the borders of the eurozone. You will also find out how much it will cost to rent a car to travel outside the country and what you need to take care of in advance.
Registration and cost of rent
If you plan to travel outside of Bulgaria, please indicate this in your application when booking a rental car. Due to the additional risks that the rental company takes on, the rental will cost more. For example, to travel to Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, Romania or the European part of Turkey, you need to pay the following fees.
- Administrative fee – from 50 to 120 euros depending on the class of car;
- The deposit is double – if nothing happens to the car, it will be returned in full.
Car classes |
Price per day |
Deposit amount |
|---|---|---|
compact cars |
from 6 EUR (12 BGN) |
from 150 euros |
small cars |
from 18 EUR (36 BGN) |
from 150 euros |
standard |
from 20 EUR (40 BGN) |
from 200 euros |
minivan |
from 26 EUR (52 BGN) |
from 300 euros |
SUVs |
from 35 EUR (70 BGN) |
from 800 euros |
luxury |
from 60 EUR (120 BGN) |
from 1500 euros |
The surcharge is indicated for one country. If the driver plans to visit two or more countries, for each of them you will have to pay another 50% of the administrative fee and leave an additional deposit. For detailed information, please contact the rental company or indicate your wishes in the comments when booking.
The travel route around Europe is not limited to the countries neighboring Bulgaria. By prior arrangement, you can arrange a car rental trip to other European countries. In this case, the deposit and administrative fee are selected individually.
The rental company needs to send a scan of your passport and driver’s license at least 3 working days in advance so that the company can process the documents. The company will do this independently after confirming your reservation.
Toll roads
Many roads in Bulgaria are toll roads. The cost of car rental already includes a vinette – a sticker on the windshield that gives the right to travel through paid areas. The additional amount is charged only for travel on the 2 bridges connecting Bulgaria and Romania. Payment is accepted in cash. If you are traveling in your car in Bulgaria, buy a vignette. It is sold at gas stations in self-service terminals.
Bridge name |
Fare |
New Europe (Vidin-Kalafat) |
3 euros |
Danube (Ruse-Giurgiu) |
6 euros |
What you need to know before leaving Bulgaria
Rules and restrictions vary slightly across Europe. We list the points that you need to pay attention to before your trip.
- Are there toll roads in the country? For example, to travel around Romania in a rented car, you will need an electronic vignette. In Turkey, Greece, Macedonia and Serbia, travel on toll roads is paid at checkpoints.
- How are paid parking spaces designated and where can I park my car for free?
- Local traffic regulations: speed limits, intersections, types of penalties for violations.
- Do cities have environmental restrictions? The most stringent requirements are set in Germany, where some urban areas cannot be driven into a diesel car of Euro 4 class or lower. Less strict bans apply in major cities in France, Belgium and a number of other countries.
If your trip is planned from autumn to spring, check the requirements for installing winter tires. For example, in Greece their use is not regulated, but in Serbia they are mandatory from November 1 to April 1.
Which car to choose for a long trip to European countries
Travelers |
Car body |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|
Two people |
coupe, compact sedan or hatchback |
Manual |
A loner |
coupe, sedan, hatchback |
Automatic, Manual |
Company of 2-4 people |
full-size sedan, station wagon or hatchback |
Automatic |
Company of 5-7 people |
minivan |
Automatic |
Family 3-4 people |
full-size sedan, station wagon or hatchback |
Manual |
Goals and routes |
Transmission |
Engine capacity |
Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
Short trips around the city |
автомат |
1.1-1.6 liters |
In the city there will be enough coupe, sedan or hatchback with an automatic transmission with a small engine capacity. |
To sights off-road |
automatic, manual |
1.6-2 liters |
To overcome ups and downs, it is preferable to choose a car with high ground clearance and not the smallest engine. |
To other cities along the highway |
machine |
2-3 liters |
To save on gas stations and comfort when overtaking, it is better to take a diesel car with a powerful engine. |
A rental car for trips outside of Bulgaria should be comfortable, but economical. Fuel prices in Bulgaria are cheap, and the driver will have to pay for refueling himself.
A spacious car with a diesel engine is a good option for a long trip.
Renting a low-power compact car is the least convenient option for long trips. On the highway you will have to keep the engine speed high, so fuel consumption will increase and acceleration will be slow. A larger car with a powerful engine will provide more comfort and dynamics, and will also require less fuel.
To save on refueling, try to choose a car with a diesel engine. A good alternative is to rent a car that runs on natural gas (LPG). In the countries neighboring Bulgaria, gas stations are ubiquitous, and gas prices are significantly lower than gasoline or diesel fuel.