Bulgaria implements new vehicle registration rules

vehicle registration Ministry of Interior Bulgaria administrative reform Road Police

New regulations regarding the registration and reporting of motor vehicles have come into effect in Bulgaria, following amendments to Ordinance I-45 of the Ministry of Interior. The changes aim to reduce administrative burdens at the Road Police departments.

Key updates include the removal of mandatory physical inspections (channel checks) for vehicles registered in Bulgaria for more than 10 years when changing ownership or transferring registration to a different administrative region. Inspections are also no longer required when changing fuel types, updating ecological categories, or issuing duplicate registration documents.

Other significant changes involve:

• Transit plates: These can now be issued a maximum of three times for the same vehicle. • Engine replacement: Proof of ownership for a new engine is no longer required; the engine number will be recorded during the physical inspection. If the engine code differs, a technical test and construction change certificate are necessary. • Inheritance: A single heir can now initiate registration without written power of attorney from other co-heirs, though all owners will be listed in the certificate. De-registration by a single heir is permitted only in cases of scrapping, total loss, confiscation, or destruction by fire or natural disaster.

Additionally, the Ministry of Interior will officially terminate the registration of vehicles belonging to owners who passed away before September 7, 2025, if heirs do not re-register them by April 27, 2027.

Entities

Bulgaria · Ministry of Interior

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Transit plates can be issued a maximum of three times for the same vehicle. ruse.news · breaking.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Vehicles of owners deceased before September 7, 2025, will be officially deregistered after April 27, 2027, if not re-registered. ruse.news · www.dennews.bg
[● 3 SOURCES] Proof of ownership is no longer required when replacing an engine. ruse.news · breaking.bg · www.dennews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] Physical inspections are not required for vehicles registered in Bulgaria for more than 10 years during ownership changes. ruse.news · breaking.bg · www.dennews.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] A single heir can initiate vehicle registration without written power of attorney from other heirs. ruse.news · breaking.bg · www.dennews.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] New vehicle registration rules in Bulgaria entered into force on October 27, 2026. ruse.news · breaking.bg · www.dennews.bg · www.standartnews.com