For an ordinary Category B car, Bulgaria’s default speed limits are:
- 50 km/h in built-up areas
- 90 km/h outside built-up areas
- 120 km/h on expressways
- 140 km/h on motorways
Posted signs, temporary restrictions, Zone 30 signs and residential-zone rules take precedence.
Bulgaria now enforces both instantaneous and average speed. The same fines, driving bans and control-point consequences apply when speeding is established over a controlled road section.
Short-term visitors are not normally subject to Bulgarian control-point deductions on a foreign license, but fines and any driving ban in Bulgaria still apply; foreign license holders normally resident in Bulgaria may also be required to exchange their license after a point-bearing offense.
Since Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, fines are paid in euros. This guide also shows the original BGN values used in the legislation.
Speed limits for cars in Bulgaria
Most visitors driving a car or rental vehicle will use the Category B limits:
| Road or area | Default limit |
|---|---|
| Built-up area | 50 km/h |
| Ordinary road outside a built-up area | 90 km/h |
| Expressway | 120 km/h |
| Motorway | 140 km/h |
| Zone 30 | 30 km/h |
| Residential zone | 20 km/h |
These are maximum default limits, not target speeds. Drivers must reduce their speed when required by weather, visibility, traffic or road conditions.
Do not assume that every divided road is legally an expressway. The 120 km/h limit applies only to a road officially designated as an expressway. Similarly, the motorway limit may be reduced by permanent, temporary or electronic signs.
Full speed-limit table by vehicle category
The Bulgarian Road Traffic Act establishes the following default limits:
| Vehicle category | Built-up area | Outside built-up area | Motorway | Expressway |
| A, A2 motorcycles | 50 | 90 | 140 | 120 |
| A1 motorcycle | 50 | 80 | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| B car or light vehicle | 50 | 90 | 140 | 120 |
| B1 | 50 | 70 | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| BE, C1, C1E, D, D1, D1E, DE | 50 | 80 | 100 | 100 |
| C, CE | 50 | 80 | 90 | 90 |
| Tkt, wheeled tractor | 50 | 50 | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Ttm, tram | 50 | — | — | — |
| AM, moped | 45 | 45 | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Self-propelled machinery | 40 | 40 | Prohibited | Prohibited |
A small trailer does not automatically turn a Category B vehicle into Category BE. The applicable category depends on the vehicle-and-trailer combination. If the combination requires BE entitlement, use the BE row.
Vehicles transporting dangerous goods have separate maximum limits: 40 km/h in built-up areas, 50 km/h outside built-up areas, and 90 km/h on motorways and expressways.
Speeding fines in Bulgaria in 2026
The following are the base penalties for a first, non-repeat offense under Article 182 of the Road Traffic Act.
The Act still states the underlying amounts in BGN. Under Bulgaria’s euro-conversion rules, public debts are converted at the fixed rate of €1 = BGN 1.95583 and rounded to the nearest euro cent. Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, as confirmed by the European Central Bank.
Speeding in a built-up area
| Excess over the limit | Fine | Additional penalty |
| Up to 10 km/h | €10.23 (BGN 20) | — |
| 11–20 km/h | €25.56 (BGN 50) | — |
| 21–30 km/h | €51.13 (BGN 100) | — |
| 31–40 km/h | €204.52 (BGN 400) | — |
| 41–50 km/h | €306.78 (BGN 600) | Two-month driving ban and 18 control points |
| More than 50 km/h | €357.90 (BGN 700) | Three-month driving ban and 18 control points |
For more than 50 km/h over the limit, the fine increases by €25.56 (BGN 50) for every further complete 5 km/h of excess.
Speeding outside a built-up area
This schedule covers ordinary intercity roads, expressways and motorways.
| Excess over the limit | Fine | Additional penalty |
| Up to 10 km/h | €10.23 (BGN 20) | — |
| 11–20 km/h | €25.56 (BGN 50) | — |
| 21–30 km/h | €51.13 (BGN 100) | — |
| 31–40 km/h | €153.39 (BGN 300) | — |
| 41–50 km/h | €204.52 (BGN 400) | — |
| More than 50 km/h | €306.78 (BGN 600) | Two-month driving ban and 18 control points |
Above 50 km/h over the limit, add €25.56 (BGN 50) for every further full 5 km/h.
Public-passenger and dangerous-goods vehicles
A higher fine schedule applies to vehicles used for public passenger transport and the transport of dangerous goods:
| Excess over the limit | Fine | Additional penalty |
| Up to 10 km/h | €10.23 (BGN 20) | — |
| 11–20 km/h | €25.56 (BGN 50) | — |
| 21–30 km/h | €76.69 (BGN 150) | — |
| 31–40 km/h | €255.65 (BGN 500) | — |
| 41–50 km/h | €409.03 (BGN 800) | — |
| More than 50 km/h | €511.29 (BGN 1,000) | Three-month driving ban and 18 control points |
The same additional €25.56 applies for every further full 5 km/h above 50 km/h.
New control-point rules
Bulgaria changed its control-point schedule in May 2026. The old system of deducting 2, 6 or 12 points for lower speeding bands no longer applies.
Under the current control-point ordinance:
| Offence | Points deducted |
| More than 40 km/h over the limit in a built-up area | 18 |
| More than 50 km/h over the limit outside a built-up area | 18 |
| More than 50 km/h over the limit by a public-passenger or dangerous-goods vehicle | 18 |
| Qualifying repeat serious speeding | 21 |
| Qualifying systematic serious speeding | 26 |
The same point deductions apply to equivalent average-speed offenses.
Bulgaria’s general maximum is 39 points, while new Bulgarian drivers initially receive 26. These are Bulgarian control points. Visitors should not assume that points are automatically deducted from a foreign license, although a fine and a Bulgarian driving ban may still apply.
Repeat and systematic speeding
The enhanced repeat-offense penalties do not apply to every second minor speeding ticket. They apply to the serious bands listed above.
A repeat offense is generally the same type of offense committed within one year after the earlier sanction became final.
A systematic offense means three or more same-type offenses within the applicable one-year period.
| Status | Fine | Driving ban | Points |
| First qualifying serious offense | Base fine | Two or three months, depending on the offense | 18 |
| Repeat qualifying offense | Double the applicable fine | Three months | 21 |
| Systematic qualifying offense | Triple the applicable fine | Six months | 26 |
Serious cases can also result in temporary measures while the proceedings are pending. The law permits temporary retention of the driving license and can stop the vehicle from being used for one month in qualifying cases.
Average-speed cameras
Section-control enforcement has been in effect since 7 September 2025. Certified cameras identify a vehicle at the beginning and end of a controlled section and calculate its average speed from the distance and travel time.
An average-speed offense receives the same penalty as an equivalent instantaneous-speed offense. That includes:
- The monetary fine
- Any driving ban
- Control points
- Repeat or systematic-offense consequences
The legally relevant location of an average-speed offense is the end of the controlled section.
The number of active sections changes, so drivers should consult the BG Toll list of certified average-speed sections rather than relying on an old published count.
Fixed, mobile, municipal and unmarked enforcement
Speed can be recorded by fixed cameras, mobile systems, section-control cameras and approved equipment operated from police vehicles.
Since 7 May 2026, municipalities may operate approved automated systems and transfer violation data to the Ministry of Interior. MVR remains responsible for the administrative penalty process. Fifty percent of revenue from violations detected by municipality-owned systems is returned to that municipality for road-safety work.
Police may also use unmarked official vehicles. A moving unmarked police vehicle must use the prescribed police signals and instructions when ordering a driver to stop.
Using a device that actively interferes with speed-measuring equipment is a separate offense carrying a €51.13 fine, based on the statutory BGN 100 amount.
Is there a camera tolerance?
There is no legal permission to drive several kilometers per hour above the limit.
MVR guidance explains that the permitted measurement error for commonly used systems is normally deducted in the driver’s favor:
- 3 km/h at measured speeds up to 100 km/h
- 3% at measured speeds above 100 km/h
This is a technical measurement adjustment, not an extra speed allowance. The “punishable”, “established” or corrected speed shown on the official notice determines the fine band.
Electronic fines and driver identification
An electronic fiche is Bulgaria’s camera-generated electronic penalty notice.
Within 14 days of receiving one, the vehicle owner or registered user may:
- Pay the fine;
- Identify the actual driver by submitting the required declaration and a copy of that driver’s license; or
- Use the applicable objection or appeal procedure.
If the actual driver is properly identified, the original electronic fiche is canceled, and a new one is issued to that driver.
An offense carrying a driving ban cannot be concluded solely through a standard electronic fiche. MVR must open the appropriate administrative-offense proceedings.
For rental vehicles, the rental company may identify the renter or driver. Any rental-company administration charge is separate from the statutory Bulgarian fine.
Discounts for early payment
The discount depends on the document:
| Document | Reduced-payment rule |
| Electronic speed fiche | Pay 70% within 14 days of receipt |
| Ordinary paper fiche | Pay 80% within seven days of imposition |
| Penalty decree | Pay 80% of the fine within 14 days of service if the fine portion will not be appealed |
The penalty-decree reduction comes from Article 79b of Bulgaria’s Administrative Violations and Penalties Act.
Paying a reduced fine does not remove separately imposed points or a driving ban. Always check the exact amount, deadline, account, and document number printed on the notice.
How to pay
According to the official MVR payment instructions, traffic fines may be paid through channels including:
- The MVR electronic-services portal
- The bank account printed on the notice
- Internet banking
- POS terminals at MVR offices
- A mobile POS terminal in an equipped police vehicle
- Postal or licensed payment services
Do not give cash to a police officer at the roadside. An official card payment through an equipped mobile POS terminal is different from a cash payment.
Use a separate payment for each fine and reproduce the document series, number, and liable person’s details accurately.
Objecting to or appealing an electronic fiche
An electronic fiche may be appealed regardless of the amount. The former rule suggesting that small fines could not be challenged is no longer valid.
The principal deadlines are:
- Seven days from receipt for a written objection to the issuing MVR director on the statutory cancellation grounds;
- Fourteen days from receipt for a court appeal;
- If an objection was submitted first, fourteen days from notification that cancellation was refused.
Possible administrative-cancellation grounds include a stolen or wanted vehicle, the wrong liable person, a duplicate fiche or a material technical error.
If an electronic fiche is appealed and confirmed by the court, the full fine is payable rather than the 70% early-payment amount. Decide whether to pay, nominate another driver, or challenge the notice before taking action.
Practical checklist for visitors
- Remember 50–90–120–140 for an ordinary Category B car.
- Treat every displayed speed as km/h.
- Watch for the town-entry sign, Zone 30 signs and temporary roadwork limits.
- Do not assume that 140 km/h applies across an entire motorway.
- Expect both instantaneous and average-speed enforcement.
- Check the corrected enforcement speed on any notice.
- Do not pay an officer in cash.
- Keep the payment confirmation and the original notice.
- If a rental company contacts you, distinguish the Bulgarian fine from its contractual administration fee.
You can also use the GuideBG Road Fines Calculator and Driver Helper or read our Bulgaria speed limits in mph guide.
This article provides general information and is not individual legal advice. The current legislation and the official document issued in the particular case take precedence.
