Trailers in Bulgaria — their own paid vignette
One of the Bulgarian quirks that surprises drivers from many countries is the treatment of trailers. In Bulgaria a trailer has its own, paid vignette — it is not covered by the towing vehicle’s vignette. That is the opposite of some countries where trailers are exempt. If you tow a trailer or caravan, you need two vignettes: for the vehicle and for the trailer.
The rule: two vignettes when towing
The Bulgarian system treats the trailer as a separate unit subject to the charge. In practice, setting off with a trailer or caravan onto a Bulgarian motorway, you buy:
- a vignette for the vehicle (car, van or camper up to 3.5 t),
- a separate vignette for the trailer.
Both vignettes bind to the respective registration numbers — of the vehicle and of the trailer. A missing second vignette on the trailer can bring a fine just like a missing vignette on the vehicle, so a costly mistake is easy if you are used to the rules of another country.
How much the trailer vignette costs
The rate for the trailer is the same as for the vehicle — the same periods apply (daily, weekend, 7-day, 30-day, quarterly, yearly). In other words, towing a trailer, you simply pay the same rate twice: once for the car, once for the trailer. You can also pick different periods, though in practice the same one is usually bought for both. You will find current amounts in the price list.
Why this differs from other countries
In many European systems a light trailer is exempt from the vignette — only the towing vehicle pays, according to its category. Bulgaria adopted the opposite solution, so it is worth remembering when planning a trip with a caravan, a car transporter or a luggage trailer. Do not assume a rule from another country applies here too — in Bulgaria a trailer always needs its own vignette.
Which trailers are subject to the charge
The obligation covers trailers towed behind a passenger vehicle or camper up to 3.5 t: caravans, car transporters, luggage and goods trailers. What counts is the fact of towing on a tolled road, not the type of load. If, however, the combined mass of the whole rig exceeds 3.5 tonnes, different rules apply — as below.
What about heavier rigs?
If the combined mass of the rig exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you enter a different regime — heavier vehicles do not buy a vignette but settle in the Tol Pass system (a charge per kilometre). This applies especially to large campers and rigs with a heavy trailer. If in doubt about the mass and category, it is best to ask before departure, so you do not buy a vignette where Tol Pass is required, or the other way round.
Summary
In Bulgaria a trailer needs its own vignette at the same rate as the vehicle, so when towing you buy two vignettes. That is a significant difference from countries where trailers are exempt. We have described the rules for all categories in the Bulgaria vignette guide.