Driving restrictions in Bulgaria – 2026

During official holidays in 2026, heavy-duty trucks over 12 tones will be restricted from traveling on the Trakia, Hemus, and Struma motorways during peak hours.

According to a recent order of the Bulgarian Agency “Road Infrastructure” during public holidays in 2026, traffic restrictions will be temporarily imposed on heavy-duty trucks over 12 tones, including vehicle combinations with trailers and semi-trailers on the following roads:

– Trakia motorway;

– Hemus motorway – in the section from Sofia (km 0+000) to the roundabout intersection with road I-4 (km 87+800);

– Struma Motorway and national road I-1 in the section from the Simitli road junction (km 376+100) to the Kresna road junction (km 402+100).

In 2026, heavy-duty trucks will be subject to restrictions on the following days and times:

• On the last working day before holidays – on 9 and 30 April, 5 and 22 May, 4 and 18 September, and 23 December 2026 – from 3 p.m till 8 p.m.

This restriction will not apply on Trakia motorway, Hemus motorway and Struma motorway in the direction of entry into Sofia;

• On the first holiday (non working day) – on 10 April, 1 and 23 May, 5 September and 24 December 2026 – from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m.

This restriction will not apply on Trakia motorway, Hemus motorway and Struma motorway in the direction of entry into Sofia;

• On the last holiday (non working day) – on 3 March; 13 April; 3, 6 and 25 May; 7 and 22 September and 28 December 2026 – from noon 12:00 p.m. till 8 p.m.

This restriction will not apply on Trakia motorway, Hemus motorway and Struma motorway in the direction of exit from Sofia;

Exemptions:

The restriction does not apply to roadside assistance with specialised equipment for the repatriation of all types of motor vehicles.

On Hemus motorway, in the section from Sofia (km 0+000) to the roundabout intersection with road I- 4 (km 87+800), on Struma motorway and national road I-1 in the section from the Simitli junction (km 376+100) to the Kresna junction on the Struma Motorway (km 402+100), the restriction does not apply to road vehicles over 12 t that provide public passenger transport, as well as to motor vehicles that transport dangerous goods (ADR), live animals, perishable foodstuffs and temperature-controlled goods, and specialised carcass trucks.

On Trakia motorway, the restriction does not apply to vehicles over 12 tones that provide public passenger transport. In the direction of Sofia on the motorway, the restriction does not apply to motor vehicles transporting dangerous goods (ADR) in the section from the Ihtiman junction (km 34+000) to the Vakarel junction (km 23+400).