Compulsory motor insurance in Bulgaria (Гражданска отговорност)
Every motor vehicle on Bulgarian roads must carry compulsory third-party liability insurance, known locally as „Гражданска отговорност“. It does not cover damage to your own car; it covers the harm you cause to other people and their property. Insurers and their products are supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission (КФН), and checking that a provider appears in its register is a sensible first move.
Transport · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16
What the policy actually covers
The compulsory policy compensates third parties for loss caused by an at-fault driver: damage to the other vehicle, medical costs and compensation claims for injuries, and damage to road infrastructure. Damage to your own vehicle falls outside it — that is what optional casco cover is for. The policy attaches to the vehicle rather than to a named driver, so another person at the wheel is, as a rule, covered too.
Driving uninsured carries administrative penalties
What sets the premium
- Vehicle characteristics — engine power, age and category.
- Driver age, licence seniority and prior claims history, with the system rewarding claim-free years.
- The region of registration, since urban density feeds into the risk assessment.
- How the vehicle is used: private, taxi, rental or commercial transport are priced differently.
- Payment structure, since paying in one go and paying in instalments do not cost the same.
Premiums are set in a competitive market and vary between insurers, so gathering several quotes at renewal is usually worth the half hour it takes. The only reliable source for current figures is the insurers' own quotations.
How it differs from casco
| Aspect | Гражданска отговорност | Casco (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Required by law | Voluntary |
| Whose loss | The other party's | Your own vehicle's |
| Typical scope | Property damage and personal injury compensation | Collision, theft, natural events, vandalism — per policy |
| Link to registration | Required | Not required |
| Abroad | Recognised across the EU; a Green Card may be needed beyond it | Depends on the policy's territorial scope |
Green Card and driving abroad
With a Bulgarian-registered vehicle, compulsory cover is generally recognised throughout the EU and EEA. Beyond that area — for instance when crossing into Türkiye — a „Зелена карта“ Green Card certificate may be requested; it is issued by your insurer and presented at the border. Confirm the territorial scope with your insurer before departure rather than at the barrier.
After an accident
Make the scene safe
Put out the warning triangle and call emergency services if anyone is hurt.Pick the right paperwork
With no injuries and agreement between drivers, a bilateral accident report („двустранен констативен протокол“) may suffice; otherwise call the police.Capture the details
Registration numbers, policy details, location and photographs of the damage, taken at the scene.Notify your insurer
The notification window is set in the policy; a late report can complicate settlement.Follow the inspection
Vehicle inspection and file completion proceed under the insurer's own procedure.
This is not legal or financial advice
Frequently asked questions
I have a no-claims record from another country. Does it count here?
A claims history statement from your previous insurer is generally taken into account, but honouring it is company policy rather than a legal entitlement. Request the document before you leave your previous country — retrieving it later by email is far more tedious than it sounds.
Is the policy valid if a friend drives my car?
Compulsory cover follows the vehicle, so another driver is normally covered for third-party liability. Casco policies are different and can carry named-driver or age restrictions, so read those conditions before handing over the keys.
Do I still need cover if the car sits unused all winter?
As long as the vehicle remains registered and in circulation, the obligation continues. If it will genuinely stand idle for a long period, ask the Traffic Police about temporarily taking it out of circulation instead of paying to insure a car that never moves.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Комисия за финансов надзор (КФН) — застрахователен надзор — https://www.fsc.bg/ · 2026-08-16
- Министерство на вътрешните работи (МВР) — „Пътна полиция“ — https://www.mvr.bg/ · 2026-08-16
- Your Europe — vehicles and insurance in the EU — https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/ · 2026-08-16
- European Commission — Mobility and Transport — https://transport.ec.europa.eu/ · 2026-08-16
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