Highways in Bulgaria
Highways in Bulgaria are dual carriageways, grade separated with controlled-access, designed for high speeds. In 2012, legislation amendments defined two types of highways: motorways and expressways. The main differences are that motorways have an alternative route and the maximum allowed speed limit is, while expressways do not and the speed limit is. As of November 2025, a total of 911 kilometers of motorways are in service.
Generally, there are no toll roads in Bulgaria, and instead a vignette is required, except for municipal roads. Two bridges − New Europe Bridge and Danube Bridge are tolled, both at Danube border crossings to Romania. However, introduction of toll system to replace the vignettes is under way as being a more fair form of payment. In April 2016 the road agency launched a tender for implementation of an electronic toll collection system for vehicles heavier than 3.5 tonnes and the contract was signed in January 2018. Since January 2019, the electronic vignette is in charge instead of the sticker. Later, a toll system for vehicles over 3,5 tons got introduced.
Network map
History
The initial plan for construction of motorways dates back to 1973, when the government of Socialist Bulgaria approved a resolution to build a motorway ring, encompassing the country and consisting of three motorways – Trakia, Hemus and Cherno More. By the Bulgarian [Constitutional Assembly election, 1990|democratic changes] in 1990, a total of 273 km of motorways had been built in Bulgaria. By 2007, the year of accession to the EU, this had increased to approximately 420 km with predominantly state funding. The EU accession of the country in 2007, and the in recent years improved utilization of the allocated EU funds enabled Bulgaria to speed up the expansion of its highway network. As of December 2018, of motorways are in service, with another being under various stages of construction.The first fully completed motorway was Lyulin motorway, then designated A6, a short 19 km stretch connecting Sofia with Pernik and further merging with Struma motorway that continues to Greece at Kulata border crossing, opened in 2011. However, in 2018, the government decided to merge Lyulin motorway into Struma motorway as both are forming an interrupted route from Sofia to Greece.
After 40 years of construction, the first large motorway, spanning 360 km, Trakia was inaugurated on 15 July 2013, thus connecting the capital Sofia and Burgas, at the Black Sea coast. Two years later, on 29 October 2015, the last remaining section of Maritsa motorway, branching off from A1 nearby Chirpan and connecting with the border of Turkey at Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint, entered in service. Sofia Northern Bypass motorway, an important thoroughfare north of Sofia, was inaugurated in 2015.
List of highways
Motorways
Expressways
Other highway projects
In 2012, the Bulgarian government announced talks with Qatar to build a South–North motorway/expressway as a PPP from Svilengrad to Ruse, at the Romanian border. The route is part of the Pan-European Corridor IX. In October 2012, a tender for a feasibility study was announced.Future openings
2026:- 25px Botevgrad – Mezdra - section 1 between Botevgrad and Skravena
- 25px Botevgrad – Mezdra - section 3 between Novachene and Lyutidol
- A2 BG.svg|25px] Hemus motorway - section 3.2 between road LOV1054 and Pleven/Lovech
- 25px Hemus motorway - section 4 between Pleven/Lovech and Letnitsa
- 25px Struma motorway - section 3.2.2 - Kresna bypass
- Vidin – Montana motorway - section 1 between Vidin and Makresh
- Vidin – Montana motorway - section 3 between Bela and Ruzhintsi
- 25px Hemus motorway - section 2 between Dermantsi and Kalenik
- 25px Hemus motorway - section 3.1 between Kalenik and road LOV1054
- 25px Hemus motorway - section 5 between Letnitsa and Butovo
- Vidin – Montana motorway - section 4 between Ruzhintsi and Belotintsi
- Vidin – Montana motorway - section 5 between Belotintsi and Vinishte
- Vidin – Montana motorway - section 6 between Vinishte and Montana
- Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo motorway - section 2 - Byala bypass
Access to highway networks of neighbouring countries
Greece
connects near Kulata with the Greek A25 motorway. The route is part of the Pan-European Corridor IV.Also an intersection on the Maritsa motorway is built near Svilengrad, to connect with the Greek [National Road 51|EO51 road] in Greece.
Romania
–Vidin, Veliko Tarnovo–Ruse and Shumen–Ruse expressways, all branching off from Hemus motorway are planned to connect with Romania. The Botevgrad-Vidin expressway is likely the first to be built. The Romanian PM Victor Ponta made a statement after the inauguration of New Europe Bridge that Romania plans to build a motorway between Craiova and Calafat.Also, in long terms, Cherno More motorway is planned to connect with the future Romanian A4 motorway to Constanţa.