E-scooter, e-bike and PEV laws in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, e-scooters are legal: max 25 km/h, minimum age 16, helmet required under 18.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often; confirm with the local transport authority before riding.
Last researched Oct 12, 2026 · values compiled from published secondary sources; none were checked against the text of a law.
- E-scooters: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- E-bikes: Based on published secondary sources (some details unconfirmed)The sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- Other PEVs: Not researchedNo source was checked for this vehicle type yet.
E-scooters
Stand-up electric kick scootersBased on published secondary sources| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.1,2 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | 25 km/h1,2 |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Weight limit | — |
| Minimum age | 16 (14-16 only on cycle lanes and streets up to 50 km/h)1,2 |
| Helmet | Under 181,2 |
| Where you can ride | Cycle infrastructure, otherwise right edge of lane; banned on roads above 50 km/h without cycle lane, bus/tram lanes and pedestrian zones1,2 |
| Licence & registration | No licence; insurance/registration not confirmed1,2 |
| Insurance | — |
| Plate / sticker | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | Fines BGN 10-50 (approx. EUR 5-25); no passengers; no phone use1,2 |
| Notes | Equipment: brakes, bell, front and rear lights. Sofia has extra rental/parking rules.1,2 |
"Unconfirmed" = the source of that value was not recorded, or part of it was not taken from a source; "Not confirmed" = we have no sourced value, so none is shown. Footnote numbers point to the source list below.
Is this information correct for Bulgaria?
E-bikes
Pedelecs, speed pedelecs and throttle e-bikesBased on published secondary sources (some details unconfirmed)| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.3 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | Assistance must cut out at 25 km/h (walk-assist/throttle only up to 6 km/h)3unconfirmed |
| Power & device limits | 250 W continuous (EU Reg. 168/2013 exemption, EN 15194)3 |
| Minimum age | None for pedelecs3 |
| Helmet | Not confirmed |
| Where you can ride | Same as bicycles: cycle lanes/paths where present, otherwise the road3 |
| Licence & registration | No licence, registration or insurance for 250 W / 25 km/h pedelecs3 |
| Penalties & alcohol | Not confirmed |
| Notes | — |
Other PEVs
Hoverboards, electric unicycles, e-skateboards, SegwaysNot researchedNot researched yet — show details
Other PEVs
Hoverboards, electric unicycles, e-skateboards, SegwaysNot researched| Status | Not researched |
|---|---|
| Max speed | — |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Minimum age | — |
| Helmet | — |
| Where you can ride | — |
| Licence & registration | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | — |
| Notes | Not researched for this country: hoverboards, EUCs, e-skateboards and Segway-type devices were not checked against a national source. |
Frequently asked questions
- Are electric scooters legal in Bulgaria?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), yes. E-scooters are legal in Bulgaria under a specific framework. Where you can ride: Cycle infrastructure, otherwise right edge of lane; banned on roads above 50 km/h without cycle lane, bus/tram lanes and pedestrian zones.
- What is the e-scooter speed limit in Bulgaria?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), e-scooters in Bulgaria are limited to 25 km/h.
- Do you need a helmet to ride an e-scooter in Bulgaria?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), helmet required under 18.
- What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in Bulgaria?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), the minimum age is 16.
- Do e-scooters need insurance or a plate in Bulgaria?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), no licence; insurance/registration not confirmed.
Sources
- 1.European Commission / ERSO - Personal Mobility Devices thematic report (Dec 2024)European Commission / ERSO · Government · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
- 2.RecordingLaw - Bulgaria e-scooter laws (2026)RecordingLaw · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
- 3.Wikipedia - Electric bicycle lawsWikipedia · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
Country entries derived in part from RecordingLaw's e-scooter law guides (recordinglaw.com).
EU e-bike baseline from Wikipedia's overview of electric bicycle laws.