How to Check Your Bulgarian Vehicle Registration Document

If you’re travelling or relocating to Bulgaria, and wish to take your car or motorcycle with you, you’ll probably be doing some research about whether or not you need to register your vehicle with the Bulgarian authorities.

This article aims to provide you with an overview of the registration process in Bulgaria, when you need to register your vehicle, and the kind of document you will receive when your vehicle is registered correctly. Whether you’ve recently relocated, purchased a car, or are simply planning a long holiday, this guide is for you.

What is a Vehicle Registration?

The vehicle registration process is the process by which a motor vehicle is officially recorded by an authorised government authority. A vehicle registration can apply to all types of vehicles, including commercial trucks, vans, motorcycles, and cars. The correct and legal registration of a vehicle before it is used on a road is a legal requirement in many countries, including Bulgaria.

Following the registration process the vehicle is assigned a unique registration number, which must then be displayed on the vehicle itself via a licence plate. In many countries, including Bulgaria, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle without a valid licence plate displayed appropriately.

The registration process not only requires information about the motor vehicle itself, but also assigns the vehicle to its owner and other named drivers (if any). This information about the driver and the vehicle is stored in a centralised government database. It can be used for law-enforcement purposes and insurance purposes, among other reasons.

Once a motor vehicle has been correctly registered with the Bulgarian authorities, the driver or owner will receive their Bulgarian licence plate and a registration document. Drivers should present this document when requested by local authorities, including at a traffic stop, at the scene of an accident, or as required.

What is Vehicle Registration in Bulgaria Called?

The certificate of vehicle registration is called свидетелство за регистрация (pronounced svidetelstvo za registratsiya) in Bulgarian. 

There are three parts to your vehicle registration in Bulgaria:

1. The first, large document, which must be stored in a safe place at home.
2. A smaller, credit-card-sized document, which must be stored in the car at all times.
3. Your registration plates with the EU country identifier of Bulgaria.

When Must I Register my Vehicle in Bulgaria?

If you are driving through Bulgaria, or plan to take a short trip to Bulgaria, you may not need to register your vehicle with the relevant authorities. You must only register your vehicle if you plan to stay in Bulgaria using your vehicle for more than six months of the year.

However, it is also common to register a vehicle in Bulgaria for tax purposes. Bulgaria has the lowest cost of motor vehicle insurance in the EU and very favourable motor vehicle tax rates. As a result, it is common for EU nationals of the surrounding countries to register their car in Bulgaria to benefit from the lower costs. 

To register your car or motorcycle in Bulgaria, you must have Bulgarian residency. Vehicles can also be registered on behalf of a registered Bulgarian Corporation. 

Your Bulgarian Vehicle Registration Certificate Explained

The Bulgarian vehicle registration certificate is made up of two parts: част 1 and част 2. The first part (част 1) is a larger paper certificate. Details on this part of the certificate are completed in Bulgarian and English.

Each of the fields of the certificate are labelled with a number and a letter. On the reverse of the certificate, you will find a key to understand the references and the information they refer to. 

This paper certificate is an official document, and contains important security features. These include security paper, holographic images, a scannable barcode, a unique reference number, and an official stamp. The watermark “Bulgaria” written in English and in Bulgarian also proves its authenticity.

This paper part of your registration certificate contains numerous fields labelled from A to W. Each letter corresponds to a piece of information, either about the vehicle, or about the registered owner of the vehicle. 

The initial fields in the first half of the document detail descriptors of the vehicle, including the vehicle type, the make and model of the vehicle, the fuel type, and the paint colour. In addition, field E gives the registration number assigned to the vehicle, which should be displayed as a licence plate. The date of registration is given, alongside relevant technical information about the engine.

In the latter half of the paper document, indicated by a horizontal line, information about the owner of the vehicle is included. Fields C.1.1, C.1.2, and C.1.3 provide the first name, surname, and address of the registered person responsible for the vehicle. C4 gives the categorisation of this person, classing them as an owner or a registered driver.

The document is only valid once it has been signed by the registered owner (or driver) and stamped by the Ministry of Interior. The date of this signature is also given here. Finally, the bottom of the paper document gives space for observations or notes corresponding to the vehicle. If there are no relevant observations, this space is left blank.

This larger paper document (част 1) can be stored outside of the vehicle in a safe place in a home or an office. The smaller counterpart (част 2) is designed in a credit card shape, and can be conveniently stored in the vehicle itself or on your person. You may be required to show it when asked by law enforcement.

част 2, the smaller counterpart registration certificate, contains the same information as the larger certificate, част 1. It contains the same fields, referenced by the same numerical referencing system. It can also be matched with the larger paper certificate as it has the same registration certificate identification number. 

Get a CoC to Register a Vehicle in Bulgaria 

Do you plan on registering a vehicle in Bulgaria to acquire a registration certificate like this? If so, as part of the registration process, you will likely need a Certificate of Conformity, or a CoC, for your vehicle.

A certificate of conformity is a necessary requirement to register a vehicle from one country in another. It certifies that the vehicle confirms to the same standard of manufacture expected in the new country. It can only be obtained from the manufacturer of your vehicle themselves. This often causes lengthy delays, and is a point of frustration for those wishing to register their vehicle abroad.

EUROCOC is the best choice to help you get the correct CoC for your vehicle, making this process very simple. We liaise with the manufacturer of your vehicle on your behalf to expedite the process and ensure a speedy delivery of your certificate of conformity.

If you need a CoC to register your vehicle in Bulgaria, we can help you with a few easy-to-follow steps. 

Just click here to get started!