Have you ever seen a car with an international code on the road? BG on the license plate and wondered what country this is? Perhaps you are planning a trip to Europe or buying a used car with foreign registration. In any case, it is important to understand the meaning of this code - especially when it comes to the legal nuances of operating a car.

In this article we will not just answer the question "BG - what country", but we will also reveal all the pitfalls associated with Bulgarian license plates: from the rules for importing cars into Russia to the features of insurance. You will learn how to distinguish fake license plates from real ones, what to do in the event of an accident with a car registered in Bulgaria, and why some car owners prefer this particular jurisdiction. Are you ready? Then let's go!

BG on the number - what country is this?

Code BG on car license plates indicates Bulgaria (from English Bulgaria). This two-letter abbreviation is used in international format to identify vehicles registered in the Republic of Bulgaria, a South-Eastern European country that has been a member of the European Union since 2007.

Bulgarian numbers are easy to recognize not only by code BG, but also by its characteristic design: a blue stripe on the left with the EU flag and the letter BG below it, black symbols on a white background (for passenger cars) or yellow (for commercial vehicles). Example of a standard Bulgarian number: CA 1234 AB, where CA - region code (in this case Sofia), and AB - serial letters.

  • 🌍 Geography: Bulgaria borders Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. Has access to the Black Sea.
  • 🚗 Vehicle fleet: There are about 4.5 million cars registered in the country (data for 2023), the majority are used foreign cars.
  • 💰 Taxes: Bulgaria is known for low transport taxes compared to other EU countries, which attracts foreigners to register cars.

An important nuance: since 2019, Bulgaria has introduced new rules for foreigners registering cars on its territory - confirmation of a local residential address is now required. This was done to combat “numbers tourism,” when car owners from other countries registered cars in Bulgaria en masse for the sake of cheap license plates.

Bulgaria has long become a kind of “car paradise” for residents of Eastern Europe and the CIS. Here are the main reasons why the code BG This is often found outside of Bulgaria itself:

  1. Low taxes. The annual transport tax for a passenger car in Bulgaria ranges from 20 to 180 euros (depending on engine power), while in Germany or France the amounts can reach up to 500-800 euros.
  2. Simple registration procedure.
  3. No "ecological" restrictions. Unlike many EU countries, Bulgaria does not impose bans on older diesel cars (for example, with regulations Euro 3 or Euro 4).
  4. Cheap insurance. Policy cost Green card for Bulgarian license plates is lower than for cars from Romania or Hungary.

However, there is a downside to the coin. Cars with Bulgarian license plates often become the object of close attention from law enforcement agencies in other countries. For example, in Germany or Austria, such cars are often stopped for document checks on suspicion of tax evasion.

📊 Have you ever seen a car with Bulgarian license plates (BG) on the road?
Yes, often
Yes, but rarely
No, never
Didn't pay attention

How to distinguish fake Bulgarian license plates from real ones?

Due to the popularity of Bulgarian registration, fraudsters are actively counterfeiting license plates with the code BG. Here are the key signs to look out for:

Sign Real BG number Fake number
Background color White (passenger cars) or yellow (commercial vehicles) Uneven color, shades of gray
EU blue stripe Flat, with a clear EU flag and letter BG Blurred edges, non-standard font
Character font Standard Bulgarian font FE-Schrift (as in German numbers) The font is different from the original, the letters “float”
Hologram New numbers (from 2018) have a holographic sticker The sticker is missing or looks poor quality
Region code Two letter code (for example, CA — Sofia, BT — Burgas) Non-existent codes or numbers instead of letters

If you doubt the authenticity of the number, you can check it through the official website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs (section Registration data check). To do this, you will need to enter the license plate number and VIN of the car.

⚠️ Attention: In Russia, cars with Bulgarian license plates (BG) can be operated without customs clearance no more than 6 months per year. After this period, you must either take the car outside the Russian Federation or register it according to local rules (with payment of customs duties).

Rules for importing cars with BG license plates into Russia

If you plan to temporarily import a car with Bulgarian registration into Russia (code BG), the following rules must be observed:

Owner's foreign passport (or notarized power of attorney)

Vehicle registration certificate (Bulgarian Certificate of registration)

Green card (insurance for traveling abroad)

International driving license (if non-EU license)

Customs declaration (filled out at the border) -->

Temporary import period - up to 6 months during the calendar year. Exceeding this period may result in a fine from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles (under Article 16.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) and possible confiscation of the vehicle. If you plan to leave the car in Russia on a permanent basis, it must be cleared through customs and registered with the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate.

Particular attention should be paid to insurance. Policy Green card, issued in Bulgaria, is valid in Russia, but covers only minimal risks (according to the rules of the system Green card). For complete protection, it is recommended to take out an additional MTPL policy from a Russian insurance company.

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If you buy a used car with Bulgarian license plates in Russia, be sure to check its history through the services CarVertical or Autocheck.bg. There are often cases when cars with BG have hidden encumbrances or are wanted.

What to do in case of an accident with a car with Bulgarian license plates?

If you are involved in an accident with a car that has a code BG, the algorithm of actions will depend on where the accident occurred - in Russia or abroad.

Road accidents in Russia:

  1. Call the traffic police (required if there are victims or there is a dispute about guilt).
  2. Record the details of the Bulgarian driver: passport, license, vehicle registration certificate.
  3. Check the validity of the policy Green card through the database RSA.
  4. If the person at fault for the accident does not have valid insurance, you can demand compensation for damages through the court (in this case, you will need to have the documents translated into Russian with notarization).

Road accidents in Bulgaria or another EU country:

In this case the rules apply European motor vehicle liability insurance system. You need:

  • 📝 Fill out European Road Accident Protocol (if the damage is minor and there are no casualties).
  • 📞 Report the incident to your insurance company (if you are at fault) or to the Bulgarian Insurance Bureau (Bulgarian Bureau "Green Card").
  • 📸 Take photographs of the damage and circumstances of the accident (this will speed up the compensation process).
⚠️ Attention: If a Bulgarian driver fled the scene of an accident in Russia, it will be extremely difficult to find him - interstate requests take months. In this case, the only way out is to contact your CASCO insurance policy (if you have one) or look for the culprit through Interpol.

How much does it cost to clear customs for a car with BG plates in Russia?

If you decide to leave a Bulgarian car in Russia on a permanent basis, it must be cleared through customs. The cost of the procedure depends on several factors:

  • 💰 Customs Duty: Calculated from the cost of the car (but not less than 2.5 euros per 1 cm³ engine volume). For cars older than 5 years - 3.5 euro/cm³.
  • 📄 Excise tax: For gasoline cars - 20 rubles for 0.75 kW power, for diesel - 40 rubles for 0.75 kW.
  • 🔧 Disposal fee: From 20,000 to 170,000 rubles depending on the type of vehicle.
  • 📑 Application fee: About 5,000 rubles.

Calculation example for Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI (2015 onwards, 190 hp):



Customs duty: 3.5 € × 2000 cm³ × 70 rubles/€ = 490,000 rubles.


Excise tax: 40 rub. × (190 hp × 1.36) ≈ 10,208 rub.


Disposal fee: RUB 30,000.


Total: ~530,208 rubles + registration cost.

Important: if the car was imported to Russia until January 1, 2020 and has been here for more than 6 months, it can be legalized under a simplified scheme (without paying the full fee) through the court. However, since 2023, this practice has practically ceased due to stricter customs legislation.

Is it possible to bypass customs clearance of a Bulgarian car in Russia?

Theoretically, some car owners are trying to “reset” the temporary import period by taking the car abroad for a few days, and then importing it back into the Russian Federation. However, customs authorities monitor such schemes through the EAEU database. If a violation is discovered, the car may be confiscated, and the owner faces a fine of up to 300,000 rubles or criminal liability under Art. 200.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Smuggling”).

If Bulgarian registration (BG) for some reason is not suitable for you, consider other countries with favorable conditions for car owners:

Country (code) Benefits Disadvantages
Romania (RO) Low taxes, easy registration Frequent checks in the EU due to corruption schemes
Serbia (SRB) No environmental requirements Non-EU member - problems with Green card
Montenegro (MNE) Minimal bureaucratic delays High prices for insurance abroad
Lithuania (LT) EU member, convenient for traveling around Europe More expensive than Bulgaria (taxes from 100 euro/year)

The choice of country for car registration depends on your goals. If maximum savings are important to you - Bulgaria (BG) remains one of the best options. If the priority is freedom of movement within the EU without unnecessary questions, it is worth considering Lithuania or Estonia.

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From 2026, Bulgaria will tighten the rules for foreigners registering cars. Now not only is a local address required, but also proof of actual residence (for example, through utility bills). This makes “room tourism” less profitable.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Bulgarian numbers (BG)

Is it possible to drive around Russia in a car with Bulgarian license plates for more than 6 months if I am a citizen of the Russian Federation?

No, the rules for temporary importation are the same for everyone. Deadline - strictly 6 months a year. An exception is if the car is registered to a foreign citizen permanently residing in Russia (for example, with a residence permit), but even in this case, Russian license plates are required.

What will happen if a Bulgarian car is not cleared through customs in Russia?

If a vehicle is detected that has not been cleared through customs, customs authorities may:

  • impose a fine from 50% to 100% from the amount of unpaid duties.
  • Confiscate the vehicle (if the violation is repeated).
  • Initiate a criminal case under Art. 200.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Smuggling”).

In addition, such a car cannot be sold, re-registered or insured under compulsory motor liability insurance.

Is it possible to buy a car with Bulgarian license plates in Russia and re-register it in your name?

Technically yes, but it comes with risks:

  1. Check if the car is wanted (via traffic police website).
  2. Make sure that the previous owner took the car out of Bulgaria legally (there are export documents).
  3. If the car is not cleared through customs, you will have to do it yourself (see the section on the cost of customs clearance).

Without customs clearance, you will not be able to register your car with the traffic police.

Does OSAGO apply to a car with Bulgarian license plates in Russia?

No, a Russian OSAGO policy can be issued for a car with foreign registration (BG) is not possible. Instead it works:

  • Green card (if it is issued in Bulgaria).
  • Voluntary insurance (CASCO) in a Russian company.

Please note: Green card only covers damage to third parties, not your car.

Is it possible to sell a car with Bulgarian license plates in Russia?

Yes, but with reservations:

  • If the car is not cleared through customs, the new owner will not be able to register it with the traffic police.
  • It is better to register the transaction through a notary to avoid problems with proof of ownership.
  • The price for such cars is usually 20-30% below market due to risks for the buyer.

We recommend that you legalize the car in Russia before selling it - this will increase its value and simplify the re-registration procedure.