Guide to driving in Bulgaria

Country code

BG

Time zone

UTC+2

Local currency

BGL
Lev

Calling code

359

Electrical voltage

230V

Member of

EU

National holidays

1.1.2011    New Year's Day
3.3.2011    National Day
24.4.2011    Orthodox Easter
25.4.2011    Orthodox Easter
26.4.2011    Orthodox Easter
27.4.2011    Orthodox Easter
1.5.2011    Labour Day
6.5.2011    Day of Bulgarian Army
24.5.2011    St Cyril and Methodius Day
6.9.2011    The Unification of Bulgaria
22.9.2011    Independence Day
1.11.2011    Day of the Bulgarian Revival Leaders
24.12.2011    Chrismas
25.12.2011    Chrismas
31.12.2011    New Year's Eve

Useful telephone numbers and websites

112    Police
112    Medical
112    Fire

The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the blood

0,5

Seat belts

obligatory  at all times

Safety jacket

The wearing of a reflective jacket is compulsory for any
person who has to step out of their car, day or night in case of breakdown or
emergency on a motorway.

Child seats

obligatory  at all times

Daily lights

Use of dropped car headlights during the day encouraged, compulsory from November 1st to March 1st

Use of mobile phone while driving

not allowed

Motorways

130 kmh (80 mph)

Open roads

90 kmh (55 mph)

In town and villages

50 kmh (31 mph)

Driving license validity

Non EU drivers are recommended to have international driving permit

Minimum age for rental

18

Winter tires / snow chains

Winter tires / snow chains
 

snow chains compulsory from November 1st and 31 March
 

Parking

Monday - Friday: 8:00 – 18:00    1.00 BGN/hour
Monday - Friday: 8:00 – 18:00    1.00 BGN/hour
Monday - Friday: all day    free
Monday - Friday: all day    free

Drive on the

right

Useful advices

Give way to public transportation, names are only shown in Cyrillic script - gps recommended