Questions & Answers
TOLL SERVICE IN BULGARIA
What is the toll fee in Bulgaria?
For traveling on the national roads, vehicles over 3.5 tons pay a distance-based road fee – toll. The toll fee in Bulgaria is a state fee and no VAT is charged. The toll amount depends on the type and category of the vehicle, its EURO class, number of axles, and the traveled distance.
Which roads are subject to toll fees?
The tolled roads are part of the national road network and include highways, first-class, and second-class roads with a total length of 6061 km. The tolled network is divided into tolled segments. Each segment has specific characteristics such as length, geographic coordinates of the start and end, traffic direction, etc., which determine the toll fee to be paid for passing through it.
What are the toll rates?
The tariff for using the tolled road network is determined by a Decision of the Council of Ministers. The current tariff can be found here https://tollpass.bg/bg/ceni/tarifa/
How is the toll fee paid?
There are two approved methods for toll collection and payment in Bulgaria:
- via an on-board unit for automatic trip recording
- by purchasing a route pass before the journey begins
The most convenient method is using an on-board unit. Customers can choose between two certified models:
- TollPass Eurobox on-board unit, valid for tolls in Bulgaria or in both Bulgaria and Europe (total 18 toll systems)
- TollPass on-board unit valid for tolling only in Bulgaria.
Devices are shipped within 2 days after concluding a contract for automatic toll reporting. You can view the types of contracts here: https://tollpass.bg/bg/zona-klienti/vidove-dogovori
TOLL CHARGING IN BULGARIA AND EUROPE
What is the European Electronic Toll Service?
The European Electronic Toll Service (EETS) is based on EU Directive 2004/52/EC and Commission Decision 2009/750/EC. It is designed to facilitate transport companies in paying tolls across different European countries through technological interoperability of toll systems in EU member states.
The TollPass EETS service complies with European regulations and enables toll service users traveling across multiple European countries to sign a single contract with one provider. This provider supplies one on-board unit that records tolls in different countries and toll domains in Europe.
Customers pay toll fees only to TollPass, rather than to each individual country. The interoperability of the systems and the certified TollPass EUROBOX on-board unit allows seamless border crossing without the need for local devices, separate payments, or travel reporting on multiple platforms.
What are the differences between European toll systems?
EU member states use two types of toll systems:
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) – the most advanced tolling method, which detects movement and location using geolocation data generated via satellite systems such as GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BeiDou, etc. GNSS systems are suitable for tolling all types of open roads and infrastructure.
DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication) – detects passing through specific checkpoints using radio communication equipment installed along the road. This is a technical solution suitable for tolling only highways, tunnels, and bridges.
What is the coverage of the TollPass EETS service?
The coverage is continuously expanding with the addition of new countries, bridges, tunnels, parking areas, and rest stops. Currently, TollPass EETS supports toll reporting for Bulgaria, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, the Warnow and Herren Tunnels in Germany, the Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Belgium, and the Storebælt and Øresund bridges in Denmark and Sweden. Coverage expansion is upcoming in Croatia and the Czech Republic.
How can I receive updates about toll charging in different countries?
All TollPass customers receive a newsletter with updates about tolling in various countries. This information is also always available in the clients' online contracts on the Tollpass.bg platform.
ON-BOARD UNITS
What is an on-board unit?
To record tolls in different countries, TollPass customers receive a certified and technologically compatible on-board unit that is mounted on the windshield and connected to the vehicle's power supply.
For toll reporting only in Bulgaria, the appropriate device is the TollPass on-board unit.
The TollPass EUROBOX on-board unit, which operates in 18 toll systems across 14 European countries, is certified for both GNSS and DSRC systems. Switching between the two technologies is automatic and requires no driver intervention.
How do I request and receive a TollPass or TollPass EUROBOX on-board unit?
TollPass customers can request an on-board unit entirely online through the Tollpass.bg platform by creating a contract with a prepaid balance. Once requested, the device is delivered within 2 business days by courier. If immediate delivery is needed, the TollPass EUROBOX can be picked up the same day from the Intelligent Traffic Systems AD office in Sofia.
An on-board unit can also be requested via a TollPass Regional Manager after signing a contract (including postpaid options) or through the TollPass partner network.
Are vehicle data entered via the on-board unit?
Each country or toll domain determines whether additional parameters must be declared via the on-board unit, beyond those already entered in the system. The TollPass EUROBOX meets all European requirements and allows updating of parameters such as number of trailer axles, weight category of the composition, gross trailer weight, etc., via its menu. Information on variable parameters and a user manual for the TollPass EUROBOX are available at any time in the client's online contract on the Tollpass.bg platform.
How can I generate a report for tolls paid in different countries?
Information about accrued toll fees in different countries is always available in the clients' online contracts on the Tollpass.bg platform. Various accounting and analytical reports are available – by vehicle, by country and toll domain, by period, with detailed information about the tolled segments. International data is updated daily, and Bulgarian data in real-time.
ROUTE PASS
What is a Route Pass?
The route pass is a prepaid toll product intended for road vehicles with a gross weight over 3.5 tons. It can be purchased up to 24 hours before travel by unregistered users and up to 7 days in advance if the user has a registered account on Tollpass.bg. The route pass is activated for a specific vehicle and is only valid for that vehicle within the validity period and chosen route.
When can I travel?
The route pass is valid for 24 hours. The start and end of the 24-hour period are indicated on the route pass receipt.
The journey must be completed within the validity period specified on the receipt. Traveling outside this period may result in penalties.
Are deviations from the route allowed?
Deviations from the route selected by the user are not allowed, and violators are subject to penalties, except in the case of temporary traffic restrictions on the selected route due to accidents or severe weather conditions that make travel impossible. In such cases, drivers must follow the detour route defined by the competent authorities.
When generating a route, users can select one starting point, one endpoint, and up to 4 intermediate points. Travel must follow the selected direction and sequence of the starting, intermediate, and final points.
Can I cancel a route pass after payment?
Once the route pass is paid, it is activated in the central electronic tolling system of the Road Infrastructure Agency and cannot be canceled or modified.
You can correct parameters – vehicle type, emission class, weight category, number of axles, or route – before confirming and paying for the pass.
Do I need to present proof of a purchased route pass during inspection?
There is no need to present proof of a purchased route pass during an inspection – the presence of a valid route pass is automatically verified by stationary cameras and mobile teams.
What data are required to activate a route pass?
To activate a route pass, you need to provide:
- Vehicle data – registration number and country, vehicle type and weight category, environmental class, number of axles in the composition (towing + towed vehicle)
- Route data – starting point, endpoint, and up to 4 intermediate points
- Desired start date and time of validity. Registered users can purchase up to 7 days in advance; unregistered users – up to 24 hours in advance.
Can I purchase a route pass using the prepaid balance?
Purchasing a route pass using the prepaid balance under an automatic toll reporting contract is possible. The vehicle for which the pass is being purchased must be added to the online contract.
Can I check the validity of a route pass?
You can check the validity of a route pass here
ELECTRONIC VIGNETTES
Which vehicles require a vignette?
An electronic vignette is required for road vehicles up to 3.5 tons using the tolled road network:
- Passenger and light commercial vehicles with a technically permissible maximum mass of up to 3.5 tons;
- Trailers and caravans.
Motorcycles, tricycles, and ATVs do not pay vignette fees.
What types of electronic vignettes are available and what are the prices?
The validity of the electronic vignette begins at the moment of purchase or from 00:00:00 on a specified future start date and ends at 23:59:59 on the last day of its validity. The exception is the weekend vignette, which is valid from 12:00:00 on Friday to 23:59:59 on Sunday.
Prices of Electronic Vignettes
WEEKLY |
15.00 BGN |
MONTHLY |
30.00 BGN |
QUARTERLY |
54.00 BGN |
ANNUAL |
97.00 BGN |
WEEKEND |
10.00 BGN |
How should registration plate data be entered?
The license plate data should be entered using uppercase letters, without spaces, hyphens, or dots.
Bulgarian registration numbers contain letters common to both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets – A, B, E, K, M, H, O, P, C, T, U, and X. The system allows entry using either script, as long as it matches the license plate exactly.
Some older or non-EU foreign plates may include special characters:
- Characters like Ä, Ö, Ü must be entered exactly as shown on the plate; - Characters like Č, Ć, Ž, Š, Đ should be entered as C, Z, S, D respectively.
The characters 0 (zero) and O (letter) are not interchangeable.
While driving on the tolled network, the control system (fixed and mobile cameras) recognizes all symbols, digits, and letters on the plate. Make sure the entered registration number and country are correct before payment.
Do I need to purchase an e-vignette for a trailer/caravan?
If the combined weight of the car and trailer/caravan exceeds 3.5 tons, then purchasing an e-vignette for the trailer/caravan is mandatory. Its validity period may differ from that of the car.
Do I need to show proof of an e-vignette during a check?
You do not need to show proof of an e-vignette purchase. Verification is done via stationary and mobile cameras that read license plates and check for valid payments.
How do I know when my e-vignette expires?
All TollPass customers receive notifications before their vignette expires. Even if not purchased via TollPass sales channels, users can register an active vignette to receive alerts. You must enter your registration number, vehicle registration country, and preferred email here: https://register.vinetki.bg/
You can also check validity anytime here:
https://tollpass.bg/bg/evignettes/check
Can incorrect vignette data be corrected after purchase?
Corrections are possible in the event of technical errors in the vehicle data, including registration country or category (car or trailer/caravan), as well as up to three incorrect or missing characters in the license plate. Validity period changes are not allowed.
Changes must be requested from the Road Infrastructure Agency by submitting an application to the National Toll Administration or Regional Offices of RIA.
If a vehicle with the same license plate exists in Bulgaria, the applicant must provide proof of vignette payment. If any violations were recorded during the original vignette's validity, no sanctions apply after correction.
How can I check for violations related to driving without a vignette?
As per the Roads Act since 01.08.2023, users of the toll road network receive notifications if they misuse it, provided they are registered for such alerts. Emails used for vignette purchases are automatically enrolled for violation notifications.
You can check for existing violations at any time here:
https://tollpass.bg/bg/evignettes/check
CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT
Who performs toll fee control?
Control and enforcement of paid toll fees are carried out by the National Toll Administration (BGTOLL) under the Road Infrastructure Agency, the Customs Agency, and the Traffic Police. Violations are detected through stationary and mobile automated control points – control gantries and mobile units deployed on the road network.
Enforcement
If a vehicle has not paid the required toll or has paid based on a lower vehicle category than measured, this is considered a violation under the Roads Act. The enforcement system registers the misuse of the toll road network, and the vehicle is subject to penalties.
The Roads Act stipulates the following for such violations:
- Maximum toll fee – applicable to a vehicle with an active automatic tolling contract through a national service provider, for which no toll data has been submitted, and the onboard unit was valid at the time of the violation. The owner or user must be notified within 3 days and has 14 days to pay the maximum toll fee to avoid administrative proceedings. If not paid, a compensatory fee is due.
- Compensatory fee – the Roads Act allows any type of violation to be resolved by paying a compensatory fee within 14 days of notification. Payment within the deadline exempts the user from administrative liability.
Types of administrative acts
- Act for Establishment of Administrative Violation (AEAV) – issued to the driver of the vehicle. The Road Infrastructure Agency's mobile teams and Customs Agency staff at border control points are authorized to issue AEAVs for recorded violations.
- Electronic ticket – issued by the Road Infrastructure Agency and delivered (including by mail) to the vehicle's owner/user. Upon receiving an AEAV or electronic ticket, the offender has 14 days to pay a compensatory fee and avoid administrative penalties.
TollPass FLEET – REAL-TIME GPS TRACKING
What is the TollPass FLEET service?
The service provides intelligent fleet management through real-time GPS tracking of vehicles. It uses data from the on-board units and offers coverage in Bulgaria and EU countries, as well as Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland.
How can I request TollPass FLEET?
Any customer can request and manage the service independently through their online contract on the Tollpass.bg platform. The service can be activated/deactivated from the Vehicles menu with no mandatory usage period. The only requirement is that the vehicle must be equipped with a TollPass on-board unit for Bulgaria or a TollPass EUROBOX for Bulgaria and Europe.
What are the advantages of the TollPass FLEET service?
The service can be activated immediately without the need for additional equipment installation or associated purchase and setup costs.
- No binding fixed-term usage contract
- No installation fees or costs for additional equipment
- Activation and deactivation through tollpass.bg is fully under the client's control
- The service can be requested for one or more vehicles
- Immediate usage without complex setup by a specialist
- Automatic toll fee calculation for a selected route
- Monitoring of dynamic toll parameters – declared number of trailer axles via the on-board unit
- Creation and management of zones and alerts
- Real-time traffic data to avoid congestion, accidents, or temporary restrictions
- Report generation – trip logs, visited locations, routes, working hours
Can I track vehicles using a mobile device?
TollPass FLEET is available for free in the TollPass mobile app if the service is already active in the desktop version. The TollPass app can be downloaded from Google Play, App Store, and App Gallery.