Bulgaria’s Strategic Location
Corridors
- Orient/East-Med corridor: links the German North Sea ports through Czechia, Slovakia, Austria and Hungary to Romania, then through Bulgaria to Burgas, Turkey and the Greek ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus.
- The Danube: part of the Rhine–Danube corridor, the river forms most of the border with Romania and links ports such as Ruse, Lom and Vidin with Central and Western Europe.
- Sofia, Plovdiv, Burgas, Varna and the Danube ports are nodes of the EU transport network (TEN-T) for rail, road, ports and airports.
Source: European Commission: TEN-T core network corridors, Bulgaria2
By road
| Route | Distance | Truck transit |
|---|---|---|
| Munich to Sofia | About 1,400 km | 2 to 3 working days |
| Berlin to Sofia | About 1,700 km | 3 to 4 days |
| Frankfurt to Sofia | About 1,780 km | 3 to 4 days |
Source: Logisticoo: Road freight between Germany and Bulgaria, prices and transit times4
Trucks either cross Serbia to the border at Kalotina, the shortest route, or stay inside the EU and cross the Danube from Romania at Vidin or Ruse. Since Bulgaria joined Schengen in full in January 2025, there are no checks on the Romanian border.4
By sea and river
| Port | Cargo, 2024 | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Burgas | About 19 million tonnes | The largest port; oil products, dry bulk and about 200,000 containers (TEU) |
| Varna | About 11 million tonnes | Grain, fertilisers and other dry bulk, plus containers |
| Danube ports | Ruse, Lom, Vidin and others | River freight to Central Europe |
Source: Netherlands Enterprise Agency: Market study, ports in Romania and Bulgaria5
By air
Sofia Airport handled a record 8.4 million passengers in 2025, up 6.2% on 2024. It is run under a 35-year concession by SOF Connect, which plans a new Terminal 3 by 2030. Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv have international airports too.3
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can a company in Bulgaria reach through the EU single market?
A company based in Bulgaria can serve the EU single market of 452 million people, as of 1 January 2026, without border checks. Bulgaria also provides road, sea and air access to Turkey, the Middle East and the Caucasus.
How long does truck transport from Munich to Sofia take?
Truck transport from Munich to Sofia typically takes 2–3 working days over a route of about 1,400 km.
Are there border checks between Bulgaria and Romania?
There are no checks on the Romanian border since Bulgaria joined Schengen in full in January 2025. Trucks can cross the Danube from Romania at Vidin or Ruse and remain inside the EU.
How much cargo do Bulgaria’s Burgas and Varna ports handle?
In 2024, Burgas handled about 19 million tonnes of cargo and Varna handled about 11 million tonnes. Burgas is Bulgaria’s largest port, handling oil products, dry bulk and about 200,000 containers (TEU); Varna handles grain, fertilisers, other dry bulk and containers.
How many passengers used Sofia Airport in 2025?
Sofia Airport handled a record 8.4 million passengers in 2025, up 6.2% on 2024. Burgas, Varna and Plovdiv also have international airports.
Sources
- Eurostat: EU population on 1 January 2026
- European Commission: TEN-T core network corridors, Bulgaria (PDF)
- Wikipedia: Sofia Airport (passenger statistics and concession)
- Logisticoo: Road freight between Germany and Bulgaria, prices and transit times
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency: Market study, ports in Romania and Bulgaria (PDF)
Figures checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.
