Bulgaria

Cannabis is completely illegal in Bulgaria, including small amounts for personal use — there is no decriminalisation, no possession threshold and no medical exemption. Bulgaria's own classification ordinance puts cannabis, hashish, hash oil and THC on List I, the high-risk list of substances banned even in human and veterinary medicine, so simple possession is a criminal offence carrying 1 to 6 years in prison plus a fine of 2,000 to 10,000 leva, which is about 1,020 to 5,110 euro. A court may reduce a genuinely minor case to a fine of up to 1,000 leva, about 510 euro, but that is discretionary and only after you have been arrested and prosecuted.

Acquiring or possessing cannabis, a high-risk narcotic: 1 to 6 years' imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 to 10,000 leva, about 1,020 to 5,110 euro (Criminal Code art. 354a(3)(1)). Distribution, or possession with intent to distribute: 2 to 8 years and a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 leva, about 2,560 to 10,230 euro (art. 354a(1)). In a minor case the penalty is a fine of up to 1,000 leva, about 510 euro (art. 354a(5)). The substance and the means of the offence are confiscated in favour of the State (art. 354a(6)). Driving after using narcotics: 1 to 3 years and a fine of 1,000 to 5,000 leva, about 510 to 2,560 euro, with no permitted blood level; a repeat offence carries 1 to 5 years and 2,000 to 10,000 leva (art. 343b(3) and (4)). Since a 2026 amendment the vehicle goes too: it is confiscated for the State if the driver owns it, and where the driver does not own it or only co-owns it — a rental or a friend's car — the court orders the driver to pay its full value instead (art. 343b(5)). Bulgaria's currency has been the euro since 1 January 2026, and amounts still written in leva in existing law are read as euro at the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva to 1 euro.

Verified Aug 26, 2026

Bringing cannabis into Bulgaria is punished far more heavily than holding it once you are inside. Carrying narcotics across the Bulgarian border without a proper permit is smuggling under article 242(2) of the Criminal Code, and cannabis, hashish, hash oil and THC itself all sit on Bulgaria's List I of high-risk narcotics, which are banned even in human and veterinary medicine. That puts the offence at 10 to 15 years in prison plus a heavy fine. There is no personal-use allowance at the border and no medical exemption to fall back on, the court can confiscate part or all of your property instead of the fine, and because the list covers THC itself, a hemp or CBD product that contains any THC is caught by the same rules.

Carrying narcotic substances across the border without proper authorisation: for high-risk narcotics, which is where cannabis, hashish, hash oil and THC sit, 10 to 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 200,000 leva, about 51,100 to 102,300 euro; for risk narcotics, 3 to 15 years and 10,000 to 100,000 leva (Criminal Code art. 242(2)). Where the quantity is especially large and the case especially serious, 15 to 20 years and a fine of 200,000 to 300,000 leva, about 102,300 to 153,400 euro (art. 242(4)). Instead of the fine the court may confiscate part or all of the offender's property (art. 242(5)), and what was smuggled is forfeited to the State no matter who owns it (art. 242(7)). Preparing to commit the offence carries up to 5 years (art. 242(9)). A case treated as minor can end in an administrative fine of up to 1,000 leva, about 510 euro (art. 242(6)), but that is discretionary and only after you have been caught. Bulgaria's currency has been the euro since 1 January 2026, and amounts still written in leva in existing law are read as euro at the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva to 1 euro.

Verified Aug 26, 2026

Carry prescription medication in original packaging with your prescription and a doctor's letter; some medicines may be illegal in Bulgaria even if prescribed at home.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Declare EUR 10,000 or more (cash, traveller's cheques, gold) when entering or leaving the EU via Bulgaria. Travelling to or from another EU country you must still declare it if a customs officer asks. Undeclared cash can be detained and fined.

Customs may detain the cash and impose a penalty under national law.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

You can be charged with DUI in Bulgaria at a BAC as low as 0.05%; penalties for an injury/fatal accident range from a fine to life imprisonment.

Penalties range from a US $25 fine to life in prison for an accident causing injury or death; DUI can mean immediate jail, vehicle confiscation and fines.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Drunken or disorderly behaviour in Bulgaria — loud conduct or urinating in public — can result in a fine or arrest.

Fine or arrest.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

A valid digital vignette (e-vignette) is required on motorways and main roads in Bulgaria; buy it online (no printing needed).

Fine for driving without a valid vignette.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

A US licence is only valid in Bulgaria with an International Driving Permit, which must be obtained before travel; most rental companies require an IDP.

Driving without an IDP may void insurance.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

There are no legal restrictions on same-sex relations or LGB events in Bulgaria, but same-sex marriage is not legal and LGBTQ+ people may face stigma and verbal abuse, especially outside Sofia.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

Covering your face in public is illegal in Bulgaria (balaclavas, full veils, etc.) — including in public buildings, streets, parks, restaurants, shops and on public transport; medical masks are exempt.

Arrest and heavy fines for non-compliance.

Verified Jul 27, 2026

It is a legal requirement to carry valid photo ID at all times in Bulgaria; a printed copy of your passport photo page is accepted.

Failure to carry ID is a legal violation.

Verified Jul 27, 2026