Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

It is illegal to stop travellers at border because of unpaid fines

Photo: BNR

Bulgaria's  Constitutional Court has ruled that unpaid fines cannot be collected at the borders and the travel of Bulgarian citizens cannot be restricted, lawyer Ivan Todorov has told the BNR. However, the exact same mechanism has been introduced through an order to the Border and Traffic Police.

The measure directly restricts the right to free movement in the EU, which is part of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and several decisions by the Court of Justice. Authorities have the right to take such measures when stopping a vehicle in the country, but not at the borders. That is why there have already been lawsuits filed against the practice of collecting fines at border checkpoints, Mr. Todorov added.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Every third Bulgarian is ready to defend democracy, every fifth the homeland: survey

Democracy is consistently perceived by a solid majority in Bulgarian society as the best form of governance. Approximately 1.5 million citizens declare their willingness to risk their personal security to protect it, according to a representative study..

published on 11/6/25 11:53 AM

Bulgaria's second-largest trade union "Podkrepa" opposes draft Budget 2026

The Confederation of Labor "Podkrepa" does not support the government's proposed state budget for 2026 , the union announced.  As reasons, the second most important trade union in the country points out "the lack of policies and reforms to address..

published on 11/6/25 10:35 AM

Mysterious Russian ship sails near Black Sea coast

The phantom ship VIVA 962 has changed at least 10 names and many owners before it surprisingly appeared near Cape Emine on November 1. The crew consists of a captain and a mechanic with Ukrainian passports from Kharkov, reports the "24 Chasa" portal...

published on 11/6/25 10:12 AM