The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory and informs Romanian citizens who are in, transiting or intending to travel in Bulgaria to Greece and Turkey , as well as back to Romania , during the period April 28 - May 1, 2023, that long waiting times are expected at Bulgarian road border crossing points (BCPs). Romanian citizens are advised to use all border crossing points and to ensure that they have sufficient fuel, water, and food for such situations. Romanian citizens returning to Romania on May 1, 2023 are also advised to consider the possibility of considerably longer waiting times at the Ruse border crossing point, at the bridge toll, when Romanian tourists return to Romania and choose to enter the country through the BCP from the Giurgiu-Ruse bridge.
It is recommended that Romanian tourists who choose to return to the country through PTF Ruse prepare, in advance, the exact amount for the bridge fee, namely 2 (two) euros (coins with a nominal value of 1 euro or 2 euros) or 4 (four ) leva, in this way waiting times for processing and issuing supporting documents such as receipts, invoices or tax receipts can be significantly shortened.
In this context, it is important to be correctly informed, purchase electronic vignettes in advance and pay TOLL road fees correctly for the use of public road infrastructure in the Republic of Bulgaria , in accordance with the legislation in force.
It is recommended that Romanian international freight or passenger transport companies, transiting the Bulgarian territory during this period, take appropriate measures in order to thoroughly organize travel itineraries and establish the work schedule of drivers, by taking into account some waiting times considerably increased when crossing borders.
Useful apps for Turkey/Bulgaria/Greece destinations
– regarding the current state of the roads: on the free LIMA application www.lima.api.bg, on the website of the "Road Infrastructure" Agency – www.api.bg and at the phone number 070013020, accessible around the clock;
– regarding the e-vignette and the e-TOLL system: on the website www.bgtoll.bg ;
– regarding the traffic situation at Bulgarian border crossing points: on the website www.mvr.bg ;
– regarding the flight situation at Sofia airport: www.sofia-airport.eu ;
– regarding the weather: on the website www.weather.bg ;
– regarding the customs regime, upon entry into the Republic of Bulgaria from the Republic of Turkey , on the website www.mae.ro/travel-conditions/3677 (Travel conditions in the Republic of Bulgaria, title Customs regulations) and on the website of the "Customs" Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria: www.customs.bg.
Romanian citizens can request consular assistance at the phone numbers of the Romanian Embassy in Sofia: +35929712858 and +35929733510, the calls being redirected to the Contact and Support Center for Romanian Citizens Abroad (CCSCRS) and taken over by the Call Center operators on a permanent basis. Also, Romanian citizens who are faced with a difficult, special, emergency situation, have at their disposal the permanent phone number of the Romanian diplomatic mission in the Republic of Bulgaria: +359879440758.
