Driving in Bulgaria vs Greece: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Bulgaria and Greece, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for your safety. From speed limits and lane usage to penalties for violations, notable contrasts exist. For instance, Bulgaria allows higher speeds for cars, while Greece enforces stricter fines. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge before hitting the road!
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Greece |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
greece:
Not used in Greece
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
greece:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €350, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay