Owning A Car

Registering and owning a car in Bulgaria can be very costly. Until recently the Tax on cars were all classed as the same however Bulgaria has now brought into force a new taxation system which is related to the size of your engine.

The average cost of a MOT in Bulgaria is around 30 leva but beware its not like the MOT in the UK it is much much less strict. In fact it consists of checking the engine number and the chassis number followed by if your lucky a brake test and thats it.

You have to register your car for Bulgarian plates which they provide there and then to have these fitted will cost you 7 leva then the registation will cost you approx 20 leva. After your MOT is issued they will put the new plates on.

You then have to get insurance and have your car securuty etched.

There are two levels of Insurance-----

One which is equivalent to the UK's 3rd Party fire and theft which will set you back approx 70 lev you this is not optional it compulsory. You can also take out a Fully Comprehensive Insurance which can cost you quite a bit.

We have a 1600 Kia and ours was 1000 lev plus the 70 lev for 3rd Party one as well. you must take both insurances out.

Your car is photographed and placed on a National car data base so if it is stolen it is immediately circulated as being stolen.

You are then required to go and get your car Security Etched takes about 30 mins and will cost you 50 leva.

You need a vignette to travel on Municipality roads this cost approx 70 leva for the year depending on what type of vehicle you have.

Petrol at the moment is 2.25 leva ltr 95 unleaded

  2.40 .leva ltr Diesel

  1.25 leva Bottled Gas