What to Do If Your Car Is Towed in Burgas: Complete 2026 Guide

Before moving on to the practical steps, it is important to clarify under what circumstances this enforcement measure may lawfully be applied. Under the Bulgarian Road Traffic Act and the Burgas Municipality Ordinance on public order, the specialised "spider" tow vehicle may relocate a car in several principal scenarios.

The first and most common is illegal parking — a breach of the stopping and parking rules in the Road Traffic Act. This includes stopping on a pedestrian crossing, at an intersection, at a public-transport stop, on the pavement (where not permitted), in front of a fire hydrant, in an area marked by sign B27 ("No stopping and no parking"), as well as blocking a garage exit or building entrance.

The second scenario concerns overstaying in the Blue or Green Zone without proper payment. If you do not have a valid SMS, parking-meter ticket or subscription, inspectors may first fit a wheel-clamp and, under certain conditions, order the vehicle to be towed.

The third group of cases concerns vehicles without a valid annual roadworthiness inspection or without compulsory Third-Party Liability insurance that have been left for an extended period in a public space. After a prior procedure involving a warning sticker and a response deadline, the Municipality is entitled to move the vehicle to the impound lot.

Last but not least, the law also allows the relocation of a correctly parked vehicle when circumstances require it (for example, during roadworks, emergencies, mass events or street cleaning). In such cases the driver does not owe any towing fees.

When you return to where you left your car and find that it is gone, the first thing to do is to rule out theft. Look around the area carefully — the "Forced removal" sign is usually placed in a visible spot, but in certain cases it can be hidden by tree branches, advertising boards or taller parked vehicles.

If you spot a forced-removal ("spider") sign, there is a high chance your car has been towed. In that case you should take the following steps:

All vehicles forcibly relocated within the Burgas Municipality are taken to the specialised "Oborishte" impound lot, located at:

The lot operates round the clock, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays, which means you can recover your car at any time of day or night. This is particularly important for business travellers, tourists and drivers who notice their car is missing late in the evening.

In addition to the basic fee, a separate charge of €15 applies in cases where the vehicle was moved by the tow truck but not loaded onto the flatbed (for example, when the driver appears at the last moment and the car has already been hoisted but not transported to the impound lot). The same amount — €15 — is also owed for the fitting of a wheel-clamp.

On top of these amounts come the storage costs at the impound lot: no fee is charged for the first two hours after the car arrives, but every additional hour started costs €1 (BGN 1.96). This means that the later you collect your car, the higher the final amount.

It is important to stress that an administrative-violation report (AUAN) is drawn up separately and, based on it, a penalty decree is later issued specifying the fine for the breach of the Road Traffic Act. That fine is not included in the towing fee and is paid additionally.

To recover your car from the "Oborishte" impound lot, you must present the following documents:

When handing the car back, the officer draws up a protocol recording the findings on the vehicle's condition at the time of release. It is advisable to review it carefully before signing and to pay attention to any damage that may have occurred during the forced relocation and storage.

Not every tow is unquestionably lawful.

When a vehicle is towed without the driver's knowledge, an administrative-violation report (AUAN) is drawn up — usually handed over precisely when the fees are paid and the vehicle is collected from the impound lot. The AUAN itself cannot be appealed, but within three days of receiving it the driver has the right to file written objections with the issuing authority, accompanied by any supporting evidence — photographs, witness statements, parking-space contracts, disability documents, etc.

If you have serious doubts about the legality of the control authorities' actions, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specialised in administrative law. Legal representation costs are often reimbursed in case of a successful appeal.

The best strategy against the unpleasant experience of having your car towed is prevention. Here are a few practical recommendations:

Having your car towed in Burgas is stressful and financially burdensome, but with the right approach the consequences can be minimised. The key is to know the legal framework, the current fees and your own rights as a driver. The "Oborishte" impound lot operates round the clock, which allows you to act swiftly, and the law provides clearly defined ways of defending yourself against unjustified enforcement.

In any case where you believe a violation has been committed against you by the control authorities, do not miss the short statutory deadlines for objections and appeals — they are the key to successfully defending your rights. And the best defence remains prevention — paying attention to road signs, markings and the rules of the Blue and Green Zones in our city.