site.btaGreeks Flock to Bulgaria to Save on Petrol Costs, Greek Media Report

Drivers from Northern Greece have been travelling to Bulgaria where petrol is cheaper to fill up their tanks, Greek public television ERT reported.

The trend is most pronounced among residents of northern parts of the Serres regional unit, near the Promachonas border crossing, who are taking advantage of the significant price difference between the two countries, ERT said.

The average price of unleaded petrol in Bulgaria is around EUR 1.41 per litre, compared with EUR 1.92 or more in Serres and other parts of Greece, a difference of roughly 50 euro cents per litre. Diesel costs about EUR 1.57 per litre in Bulgaria, compared with about EUR 1.85 in Greece, the broadcaster reported.

Greek drivers must also consider additional costs, including around EUR 4.70 in toll fees and a Bulgarian motorway vignette, which costs EUR 4.10 for a one-day pass or EUR 7.70 for a week. Despite these expenses, many still see significant savings when refuelling larger quantities, ERT said.

Bulgarian petrol station staff told ERT that some Greek drivers have even tried to fill small containers with fuel, which could lead to fines if detected.

Meanwhile, the reverse trend is emerging, with some Bulgarians crossing into Greece to buy groceries, citing higher prices in Bulgaria following the adoption of the euro on January 1, ERT reported.