Driving in Bulgaria vs Portugal: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Bulgaria and Portugal presents unique challenges and regulations that travelers should be aware of. Key disparities include overtaking rules, speed limits, and alcohol consumption standards. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
portugal:
Possible