New traffic rules under the Bulgarian Road Traffic Act take effect on 7 September 2025. Voted by Parliament and published in the State Gazette on 5 August, they affect drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and users of electric vehicles.
Key changes include:
Average speed control: Speed limits now apply to average speed over road sections, monitored by cameras.
Railway crossings: Crossing outside official passages, bypassing barriers, or shifting gears on tracks is banned.
Emergency lanes: Driving in the hard shoulder is prohibited without exceptions.
Braking: Abrupt braking is forbidden unless avoiding an accident.
Mobile devices: Drivers may only use hands-free systems.
Pedestrian crossings: Drivers must yield to pedestrians signaling intent to cross.
Accidents: Participants must not consume alcohol or drugs until police arrive.
Child safety: Car seats are mandatory for children under 150 cm.
Vehicle inspection: Technical checks are allowed only if all fines are paid.
Foreign licenses: Valid up to one year for non-EU nationals.
Pedestrians: Must stop, look, avoid distractions, and cannot cross behind buses or walk in tunnels without sidewalks.
E-vehicles: Minimum age 16, helmets required, max speed 25 km/h, no night use, no phone use, liability insurance mandatory.
Cyclists: Must wear reflective gear, dismount at crosswalks, no passengers (except small children), no phone use, no animals.
Full details are available on the website of the State Road Safety Agency.
