Big News for Big Motorhomes touring in Bulgaria

Feb 15, 2024

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We are delighted to confirm big news for big Motorhomes travelling in Bulgaria. From 13th February 2024, a supplement to The Road Act says that all Motorhomes, regardless of their mass, must purchase an electronic vignette. This applies to all motorhomes of category M1, regardless of their maximum permissible mass. The vehicle must be Category M with EU bodywork Code SA.

The Old Rules

Previously, Motorhomes weighing over 3.5 tonnes had to pay a toll fee in the same way as trucks and lorries. Each journey was planned in advance and logged and paid for through the BGTOLL website before setting off.

The New Rules

However, with this new regulation, all Motorhomes will simply buy an electronic vignette. This is great news. It means Motorhome owners do not need to pre-plan every journey in advance. It also means Motorhome owners are free to explore and experience the treasures of Bulgaria, without necessarily knowing exactly where they will end up. Up to now, in Bulgaria, this was not possible for larger Motorhomes. Our customers will be pleased to see this amendment to the law. Foreigners often find it more difficult to log their trips in advance, as they are not familiar with the road network and they want to enjoy spontaneous travel. Our receptionists often need to help guests with this task.

Problems with the Old Rules

In 2023 many campers who stayed with us were worried about what would happen when they got lost. This would mean they would stray from the pre-paid-journey. If a BGTOLL official stopped them, they could receive a large fine for being on the incorrect road. It would have been a genuine mistake, but the former laws did not allow for this scenario. We are very pleased that our customers will not experience this negative issue now. It is great to see this improvement.

Vignette Prices

The prices for electronic vignettes for cars up to 3.5 tons, as well as for trailers or caravans attached to them, remain unchanged. The annual vignette costs BGN 87, quarterly is BGN 48, monthly is BGN 27, and weekly is BGN 13. (Correct February 2024) You can buy a vignette and check current pricing online here. The website is in 8 languages. If you want more information see our blog post about Electronic Vignettes. This blog includes details of how to buy them online or the closest places you can buy one using a machine.

Car and Caravans

The law has not changed for Car and Caravans. When the combination mass is less than 3.5 tonnes a vignette you must buy and electronic vignette for the car only. When the combined mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you must buy a separate electronic vignette for a trailer or caravan. Moreover, it’s important to mention that the vignette for the car and for the trailer/caravan may have different durations. For example, if you set up your caravan on a campsite for a period of time and do not travel with it on the road network, you do not need to buy a vignette for the caravan for this period.

What is a Motorhome / Campervan / Motor Caravan?

The authorities will categorize a vehicle as a motorhome, when it is a special purpose Category M vehicle (EU Body Work of SA) . It must also include living accommodation which contains at least the following equipment:

Seats and table,

sleeping accommodation. This can convert from the seats
storage facilities
cooking facilities

This equipment must fix rigidly to the living compartment; however, the table may be designed to be easily removable.

Living Accommodation

The primary purpose of a Campervan is to provide mobile living accommodation. The living accommodation space should be of a size and area to allow a comfortable living environment for a person for an extended period of time. So, the whole of the rear compartment of a vehicle, behind the driver’s compartment, must be used for accommodation purposes. The occupants have ready access to storage, preparation, cooking, eating, sleeping and related facilities from within the living accommodation space. (The living accommodation space in the rear compartment would have either side windows and, where cooking is by means of gas, a Gas Installer Certificate is available). Comfortable living accommodation should comprise an area where a person (of average height) can move around in a standing position.

Coach-built or Factory Built Motorhomes

Purpose-built Campervans fulfil this requirement for mobile living accommodation by virtue of their design, construction and Type Approval. They contain all of the fittings and fixtures one would expect to find in the living accommodation space of a Caravan.

Summary

In short, this is great news for campers who have motorhomes that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes. This move confirms that Bulgaria welcomes camping tourists with larger leisure vehicles and is dedicated to improving the experience of camping tourists. Bulgaria is open for camping tourism!