New Traffic Measures on the Giurgiu - Ruse Bridge: Online Toll Payment from June 2026 and Pilot-Controlled Traffic

Road traffic on the Friendship Bridge between Giurgiu and Ruse, one of the most important transport links between Romania and Bulgaria, is entering a new phase of organization and digitalization starting in the summer of 2026. Romanian authorities announced both the implementation of an electronic bridge toll payment system and the introduction of a permanent traffic control system managed by traffic pilots, amid ongoing repair works on the Bulgarian side of the bridge.

The Romanian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has published the draft order introducing the “eTarifGiurgiuPod” platform, a digital system that will allow drivers to pay the bridge crossing fee online before arriving at the border crossing point. The platform will be available via a web portal as well as Android and iOS mobile applications.

Drivers will be able to enter their license plate number and vehicle category, while the system will automatically verify the validity of the payment. Vehicles that complete the payment at least three minutes before crossing will benefit from dedicated prepaid lanes where barriers will open automatically at high speed.

According to the authorities, the new system aims to reduce waiting times, minimize direct interaction at payment booths, and improve traffic flow at one of the busiest border crossings between Romania and Bulgaria, especially during the summer season when thousands of tourists travel daily toward Bulgaria and Greece.

The electronic toll system is expected to become operational starting June 15, 2026, following the completion of technical tests and the publication of the official order.

At the same time, the Giurgiu County Police Inspectorate announced the implementation of a permanent traffic management system on the bridge, coordinated by traffic pilots employed by the Romanian National Road Infrastructure Administration Company (CNAIR). The measure was introduced to protect the bridge structure and prevent incidents during the ongoing rehabilitation works carried out by the Bulgarian authorities.

Traffic is currently managed alternately and coordinated through radio communication between both ends of the bridge. Authorities emphasized that stopping vehicles on the bridge is strictly prohibited, and drivers must follow the instructions of traffic pilots in order to avoid congestion and potential penalties.

To reduce congestion, authorities also recommend using alternative border crossing points between Romania and Bulgaria, such as Vama Veche, Negru Vodă, Bechet, or Calafat.

The crossing fee for passenger cars remains 15 RON per crossing, while tariffs for other vehicle categories vary depending on weight and number of axles.