New traffic fines in Bulgaria 2025: a full overview of the changes

Speeding

Fines for speeding in Bulgaria in 2025 have become noticeably higher, especially for repeat offenders.

Within a built-up area:

• up to 10 km/h — 20 лв.;
• 11–20 km/h — 50 лв.;
• 21–30 km/h — 100 лв. and 2 penalty points;
• 31–40 km/h — 400 лв. and 6 points;
• more than 40 km/h — 600 лв., 12 points, licence withdrawal for 2 months;
• more than 50 km/h — 700 лв., 18 points and licence withdrawal for 3 months; for every additional 5 km/h — +50 лв.

Outside a built-up area:

• up to 10 km/h — 20 лв.;
• 11–20 km/h — 50 лв.;
• 21–30 km/h — 100 лв. and 2 points;
• 31–40 km/h — 300 лв. and 6 points;
• 41–50 km/h — 400 лв. and 12 points;
• over 50 km/h — 600 лв., 18 points and licence withdrawal for 2 months; every +5 km/h — +50 лв.

Important:

• For a repeat violation within a year, the fine is doubled.
• Fines have been introduced for exceeding the average speed recorded by cameras.

New rules for pedestrians

In 2025, Bulgaria’s traffic rules also provide for pedestrian liability. Before crossing the road, you must make sure it is safe and assess the speed of and distance to vehicles. Crossing while using a mobile phone or headphones is prohibited. It is also prohibited to step onto the road in front of or behind a bus.

Fine: 100 лв. (previously 50 лв.).

Alcohol and drugs behind the wheel

The Bulgarian authorities have tightened controls on driving under the influence:

• 0.5–0.8 ‰ — 500 лв., 6 months without a licence, 8 points, seizure of the vehicle for up to a year;
• 0.8–1.2 ‰ — 1000 лв., licence withdrawal for 12 months, 12 points, confiscation of the vehicle for 1 year;
• Repeat violation — 2000 лв., licence withdrawal for 1–3 years, 20 points;
• More than 1.2 ‰ — criminal liability;
• Refusal to be tested — 2000 лв., 2 years without a licence, 15 points.

Parking

Parking fines in Bulgaria in 2025:

• On a pedestrian crossing or at a stop — 100 лв. + 3 points;
• In a space for people with disabilities — 200 лв.;
• In the second row or in an active lane — 100 лв. + 4 points;
• On pavements, in parks and green areas — 100 лв.;
• For illegal parking — 50 лв.

Other traffic violations

• Phone without a hands-free kit — 100 лв. + 8 points;
• No seat belt or helmet — 100 лв. + 10 points;
• Carrying a child without a car seat — 100 лв. + 12 points.

Violations on motorways

• Driving on the emergency lane — 1000 лв., 3 months without a licence, 10 points; for a repeat offence — 4000 лв. and 6 months without a licence;
• Driving into the oncoming lane — 1000 лв., 3 months without a licence, 15 points; for a repeat offence — 4000 лв., 6 months without a licence, 20 points.

Additional changes

• Running a red light — 150 лв. + 10 points;
• Failure to stop at a “Stop” sign — 50 лв. (previously 20 лв.);
• Failure to give way to a pedestrian — 150 лв. + 10 points;
• A car will not pass its roadworthiness test if there are unpaid fines;
• For electric scooters, a helmet is mandatory and riding after dark is prohibited;
• Video recordings from municipal cameras are now used to record violations, and the police have the right to monitor the roads from civilian vehicles.

Conclusion

The new fines for traffic violations in Bulgaria in 2025 are intended to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents.
Follow the traffic rules, do not exceed the speed limit and do not drive while intoxicated — this will help you avoid problems and make the roads safe for everyone.