Bulgaria improves road access for Romanian drivers heading to Greece via new highway construction plans and toll system updates.
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The entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen has significantly eased travel for thousands of Romanian drivers heading to Greece, with new online toll payment systems at the Giurgiu-Ruse Bridge eliminating queues. Bulgaria is developing its highway network, particularly along the East-West axis and near the capital, but also expanding North-South routes beneficial to Romanians. Plans include connecting Ruse to Sofia by motorway and extending existing expressways south from Veliko Tarnovo through Stara Zagora towards the Greek border at Makaza, a route used for Thasos. A concrete plan involves building a 133 km highway from Ruse to Veliko Tarnovo as part of Pan-European Corridor 9, divided into three lots. Construction has begun on parts of this route, including the segment from Ruse to Byala, which was previously stalled. The final segment to Veliko Tarnovo is awaiting contract awards due to high estimated costs. Bulgaria’s larger ambition is to extend this motorway via a concession through the Balkan Mountains to Makaza. For the alternative route towards Kulata and Thessaloniki, progress on the Hemus Motorway has been modest, with only a 15 km section opened in 2025, and no further inaugurations are expected soon. On the Struma Motorway (A3), work is currently focused on bypassing Kresna, with 45 km remaining to the Greek border at Kulata.
