# Bulgarian vehicle and railway regulation updates

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-vehicle-and-railway-regulation-updates
> Updated: 2026-10-27T03:03:29.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Bulgaria has undertaken legislative changes to modernize transport regulations and align with European Union standards. Initially, deputies reviewed amendments to the Railway Transport Act, focusing on transitioning to a centralized registration system for railway vehicles via the Railway Administration Executive Agency and updating passenger rights to match EU regulations.

Following these developments, new regulations regarding the registration and reporting of motor vehicles have been implemented under Ministry of Interior Ordinance No. I-45. These updates aim to reduce administrative burdens at Road Police departments by removing mandatory physical inspections (channel checks) for vehicles registered in Bulgaria for over 10 years during ownership transfers or regional registration changes. Inspections are also no longer required when changing fuel types, updating ecological categories, or issuing duplicate documents.

Significant procedural changes include a limit of three issuances for transit plates for the same vehicle and modified requirements for engine replacements; while proof of ownership for a new engine is no longer required, the engine number must be recorded during inspection, and a technical test is necessary if the engine code differs. Regarding inheritance, a single heir can now initiate registration without written power of attorney from co-heirs, though all owners will be listed on the certificate. De-registration by a single heir is restricted to 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.

## Claims

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

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Bulgaria implements new vehicle registration rules

Bulgaria has introduced new Ministry of Interior rules for vehicle registration, easing inspection requirements for older cars and simplifying inheritance procedures.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-implements-new-vehicle-registration-rules

### 2026-10-16: Bulgarian deputies review railway transport law changes

Bulgarian deputies are debating amendments to the Railway Transport Act to centralize vehicle registration via the European Register of Vehicles and align passenger rights with EU standards.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-deputies-review-railway-transport-law-changes

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Cite as: Bulgarian vehicle and railway regulation updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-vehicle-and-railway-regulation-updates