Sofia: Sofia seasonal low-emission zone
Sofia uses seasonal winter restrictions with a small and a large ring. Eligibility follows Bulgarian environmental groups; check the city’s announcement for the winter season of your trip.
- Operation
- Seasonal winter restrictions
- Areas
- Small and large ring
- Classification
- Bulgarian environmental group, not the Euro number
Zone map
Indicative boundaries. Street exemptions and separate restrictions may differ; check the zone details.
Seasonal scheme; a displayed boundary does not mean a restriction is currently active.
Zone details
Area covered
Sofia has an inner central area and a wider ring. The 2025/2026 announcement defined the boundary streets and excluded the boundary roads themselves.
Winter operating period
For 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, the city announced restrictions on groups I and II in the small ring and group I in the large ring. This was a seasonal scheme, not a year-round ban across Sofia.
For winter 2026/2027, check the new announcement. Do not treat dates or boundaries from the previous season as confirmation of the next one.
Vehicles registered abroad
A Bulgarian environmental group is not a direct translation of the vehicle’s Euro number. Use the official classification procedure, not the colour of a German or French sticker.
The published seasonal notice said vehicles without environmental-group data were not treated as offenders. This statement is not a permanent blanket exemption for every foreign vehicle.
Approaching the centre
Check the relevant ring, map and any local exemption. Resident permits and disability-related permits have specific local conditions.
For parking outside the area, verify the approach to the metro car park. A Bulgarian road vignette is a separate charge and does not resolve low-emission access.
Sources and verification
Updated .