Bulgaria | RailFreight.com

Contract signed but no money for Bulgaria-North Macedonia border crossing

Marco Raimondi — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:12:51 +0000

The construction of the first rail border crossing between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is encountering some obstacles. Despite political agreements and deals with contractors, the Bulgarian government is still looking for 50 million euros to pay for the project.
“A contract was signed with a contractor for the railway section in February, but the necessary 50 million euros have not been secured”, the Bulgarian ministry of transport underlined. Until the finances are secured, the project cannot concretely start. For this reason, the ministries of transport and finance will look for money from the state budget.

The new line would be a 2.4-kilometre tunnel under the Deve Bair mountain separating the two countries. According to the latest official statements, the railway should be ready by 2030, but the lack of funds might extend the timeline. It would be part of the Sofia-Kumanovo section and of the larger future Corridor VIII, connecting Adriatic ports with the Black Sea via rail.

Blueprint for the future line leading to North Macedonia. Image: © Bulgarian Ministry of Transport

Bulgaria-North Macedonia rail border crossing to be ready in 2030

Marco Raimondi — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:50:39 +0000

The first rail border crossing Bulgaria and North Macedonia will be ready by 2030, according to Sofia’s minister of transport. The line would be a 2.4-kilometre tunnel under the Deve Bair mountain, but questions remain about the rest of the North Macedonian rail network.
Both Parliaments recently ratified the agreement signed by the respective ministers of transport in October. “The next stage is the establishment of a Joint Committee (…) which will coordinate the preparation, construction and future operation of the facility”, the Bulgarian ministry said in a note. The construction of the tunnel should cost somewhere around 69 million euros.

2028 or 2030?

On the one hand, Bulgaria had been working on upgrading the Sofia-Gyueshevo line, connecting its capital to the border with North Macedonia. The tunnel on the Bulgarian side will start here. “By the end of 2028, a Bulgarian train will reach Deve Bair,” the Bulgarian minister said last June.

On the other hand, it seems that we will have to wait an additional couple of years to see trains actually crossing the mountain. “By 2030, Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia will complete the construction of the railway connection between the two countries”, the minister said a few days ago.

The mountainous area of Deve Bair makes building a railway a difficult task. Image: Wikimedia Commons © Angel Angel 2

The road to Corridor VIII

The main issue is the network in North Macedonia. Currently, there is no line in the north-west of the country, which means that the tunnel under the Deve Bair is not the only piece of infrastructure that will have to be built from scratch. The idea is to create a line between Kriva Palanka (at the feet of the Deve Bair mountain) and Kumanovo, not far from the Serbian border. From there, the network connects to the capital Skopje.

Opening a railway line between Bulgaria and North Macedonia is a key step in the development of the so-called Corridor VIII, connecting the Adriatic Sea to the Black Sea. However, North Macedonia needs significant efforts. The lack of a line going into Bulgaria is not the only problem for Skopje. The country is also missing a westward connection to Albania, for which there does not even seem to be a plan.

In red, the pan-European Corridor VIII. Image: Wikimedia Commons. © Gogo303

Bulgaria to refurbish four intermodal port terminals

Marco Raimondi — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:23:23 +0000

The Bulgarian ministry of transport approved investments for 7 million euros to upgrade four terminals in the country’s two main ports Varna and Burgas. The planned actions include the restoration of railway connections and the supply of new equipment.
Regarding the port of Varna, the two terminals in question are the Varna-West, which will see the rehabilitation of the railway connection and the PCHMV-Varna, which will get a new mobile crane. In Burgas, the Dolno Ezerovo terminal will also be re-connected to the railway and a new charging station will be installed. For the KRZ Port Burgas, the ministry just said that “the supply of equipment is planned”.

Bulgaria has been quite active in announcing rail freight projects over the past few months. For example, there were significant developments for the cross-border railway into North Macedonia. Moreover, the country secured 50 million euros to develop a terminal in Ruse, on the border with Romania. Finally, together with Romania and Greece, Bulgaria is looking for funds for the Thessaloniki-Sofia-Bucharest line.

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Bulgaria, Greece and Romania to look for funding for Thessaloniki-Bucharest corridor

Marco Raimondi — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 09:38:17 +0000

“Bulgaria, Greece and Romania will request funding for a joint project to modernise the Thessaloniki-Sofia-Bucharest railway line”, according to the Bulgarian ministry of transport Grozdan Karadjov. One of the main focuses is to enhance rail connectivity across the Danube between Bulgaria and Romania.
The three countries have been getting more serious about boosting rail freight connections over the past couple of months. For example, they established the Black Sea – Aegean Sea Corridor Platform (BACP) to facilitate seamless logistics last December. The new platform creates three main axes along the Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea TEN-T Corridor. The BACP will work to create the conditions to treat these international routes as unified paths.

Image: © Bulgarian minister of transport

Crossing the Danube

When it comes to the projects for bridges across the Danube, there are three initiatives. The first one entails the modernisation of an existing bridge and the construction of a new one between Ruse (BG) and Giurgiu (RO). Works on the first bridge “will be completed by June this year”, Karadjov stated. After that, the bridge should be ready to be electrified, a move that should cut costs for freight services by 30%, he added.

Regarding the new bridge, the ministry defined it as the country’s first priority. “The goal is for the project for a new bridge to move beyond the analysis stage and enter real preparation for construction with clearly defined steps and responsibilities”, he said. This bridge, just like the existing one, will be road-rail. Bulgaria and Romania submitted the proposal in September 2023 and a feasibility study was launched in January 2024.

Bulgaria is also looking to build two more bridges across the Danube. One will be between Nikopol (BG) and Turnu Magurele (RO), 135 kilometres west of the Rusa-Giurgiu border crossings. The second one will link Silistra (BG) and Călărași (RO), 140 kilometres east of the existing ones. The need for more rail border crossings between Bulgaria and Romania have become more apparent in the past few years, with a massive growth in trade since 2013.

Bulgaria secures European funding for intermodal terminal in Ruse

Dennis van der Laan — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 09:40:46 +0000

The European Union is providing funds for the construction of a new intermodal terminal in the Bulgarian city Ruse. Located on the border with Romania and the Danube river, a new terminal could provide ample opportunity for multimodal operations in the area.
The total cost of the project is estimated at some 60 million euros, of which nearly 50 million euros will come from European funds. A tender is to be announced this month.

Bulgaria is planning to build seven tracks at the future intermodal terminal and restore the rail link with the Danube Bridge into Romania. The facility will also get a new road access from the Northern Industrial Zone of Ruse and feature customs points, loading and unloading areas and storage facilities.

Flows to Central and Western Europe

A new intermodal terminal could elevate Ruse to a more important position in the Bulgarian transport network. “With the third bridge over the Danube, which will also be near Ruse, and with the construction of the intermodal terminal, the city is establishing itself as a key transport hub for Northeastern Bulgaria”, commented Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov.

“Combined with the modernisation and increase in the capacity of the Ruse-Varna railway line, this will provide the most direct rail connection for freight flows from the East and the Black Sea region along the Danube River to Western and Central Europe.”

About that Ruse-Varna railway: Bulgaria has been working to increase capacity on the rail route to Greece via Varna. The so-called Sea2Sea project was a joint effort with Athens, aimed at providing an alternative to routes via the Bosporus. It focuses on the railway that passes through the Greek ports of Kavala and Alexandroupolis and connects the ports of Burgas and Varna. It then reaches Ruse. Upon completion, the project could shift some 650 million euros of freight from sea to rail, according to a subsidiary of Hellenic Railways.

Greece, Bulgaria and Romania establish new Corridor Platform

Marco Raimondi — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:02:15 +0000

“A framework for regional cooperation aimed at enhancing cross-border transport infrastructure and its planning and implementation, as well as facilitating seamless logistics”. This is what the newly established Black Sea – Aegean Sea Corridor Platform (BACP), created by Greece, Bulgaria and Romania will be. But what does it actually mean?
According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the three countries, the BACP will cover multimodal transport connections along three axes, all part of the Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea TEN-T Corridor. Its main tasks will be of coordination, promotion and integration, but it is not a legally binding agreement, raising a possible issue with accountability.

These are the three axes that the BACP will be overseeing:

Western Axis: Athens – Thessaloniki – Promachonas (EL) – Kulata – Sofia (BG) – Vidin/Calafat – Craiova – Bucharest (RO);
Central Axis: Thessaloniki/Alexandroupoli – Ormenio (EL) – Svilengrad – Ruse (BG) – Giurgiu – Bucharest (RO) – Siret (RO/UA) and Ungheni (RO/MD).
Eastern Axis: Alexandroupoli – Ormenio (EL) – Svilengrad – Stara Zagora – Burgas/Varna (BG) – Constanta (RO).

The specifics of the agreement

Before things can be set off, the parties involved will have to “develop and approve a Joint Plan for the development of the corridor (infrastructure and operations)” by 30 September 2026. Only after this, the Action Plan and Joint Project Pipeline can be prepared. The Action Plan will include “a list of cross-border projects addressing the (dual-use) connectivity needs along the corridor, as well as relevant national projects.”

A few interesting points can be drawn from the Memorandum of Understanding. For example, the document makes multiple references to military mobility with two of the 11 goals talking about prioritising and accelerating infrastructure projects for dual-use transport. Moreover, the BACP will have the ability to “where required, adapting the transport infrastructure to dual-use standards as a matter of urgency”.

The BACP will also be responsible for coordinating the applications for EU funding and participating in feasibility studies for the projects along this corridor. Much of the focus will be on cross-border projects and “ensuring synchronised development of the infrastructure”. Finally, the Platform will lobby for the implementation of ERTMS, the handling of 740-metre trains and promote EU policies.

The Bulgarian efforts

Bulgaria has been busy not only with projects along the north-south axis between Greece and Romania, where it is already planning to build three rail tunnels to facilitate crossing its mountainous heart. It is also working to create a cross-border railway with its neighbour to the west, North Macedonia. The two countries recently signed an agreement to build a railway tunnel under the Deve Bair mountain which separates them.

Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign official agreement for first railway border crossing

Marco Raimondi — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:55:49 +0000

The ministers of transport of Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed an agreement to build a railway tunnel under the Deve Bair mountain, laying the foundations for the first railway border crossing between them. “The signing of the agreement for the tunnel under Deve Bair is a historic step towards the full construction of Corridor VIII”, the Bulgarian ministry said.
The future tunnel, which will measure around 2,4 kilometres, will be part of the Skopje-Sofia line. It will connect Gyueshevo (BG) to Deve Bair (MK) and should be ready by 2028 with an investment of 69 million euros, according to estimates made last summer. A conversation about creating a railway connecting the two countries has been ongoing since the end of the 19th century. Is this the time when it finally becomes reality?

Corridor VIII

The future Skopje-Sofia section, including the cross-border tunnel, will be part of Corridor VIII. This will be a sea-rail multimodal route starting in the Italian southeastern ports in the Mediterranean and ending on the Bulgarian east coast on the Black Sea. The rail network in Bulgaria is already present, while the sections in North Macedonia and Albania are still largely under construction.

The Bulgarian ministry also emphasised how this corridor will be vital not only as a trade lane between the Mediterranean and Black Seas, but also for Europe’s security. “The railway along this axis is part of the transport security of Southeast Europe and the connectivity of the Alliance along its southeastern flank”, it said in a press release.

Bulgarian railway to North Macedonia goes to tender

Marco Raimondi — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:23:13 +0000

The Bulgarian government put out two tenders for the construction of vital arteries of the so-called Corridor VIII, a railway line which will connect the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. One of the projects is the line leading to North Macedonia, laying the foundation for the first-ever rail border crossing between the two countries.
The total for the two tenders is 576 million leva (294 million euros). The one for the construction of a line between Gyueshevo and the border entails 114 million leva (58 million euros) with completion expected for the end of 2028. A new 2.4-kilometre section which will stop 420 metres from the border will be laid and the station in Gyueshevo will be turned into a Schengen entry and exit point for freight and passengers.

The last 420 metres will have to wait

The last 420 metres will only be built once the future tunnel crossing the border between Bulgaria and North Macedonia will be completed, the Bulgarian ministry of transport said. Construction of this tunnel has not started yet, but the two countries signed an agreement for 69 million euros to make it happen by 2028. On the other hand, it needs to be mentioned that the railway network in North Macedonia will still need a massive upgrade on its east-west axis before Corridor VIII can be up and running.

Pernik–Radomir

The second and more expensive tender, with 462 million leva (236 million euros) allocated, is for the Pernik–Radomir line, in the west of the country on the way to North Macedonia. This will be a new 17-kilometre double track railway, with the removal of level crossings and renovation of stations included as well. The deadline for this project was set by the Bulgarian ministry for mid-2029.

Bulgaria and North Macedonia agree on developing first rail border crossing

Marco Raimondi — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 08:21:15 +0000

Currently, Bulgaria and North Macedonia do not have a railway crossing their borders. However, things are about to change, as a new 2.4-kilometre tunnel connecting the line arriving in Gyueshevo (BG) to Deve Bair (MK) should be ready by 2028.
“All procedures have been completed, and the financing of 69 million euros has been provided under the Transport Connectivity Program 2021-2027. By the end of 2028, the Bulgarian train will arrive at Deve Bair”, the Bulgarian Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadzhov stated.

Both countries are investing to develop the rail axis that will connect the Bulgarian capital Sofia with Kumanovo, North Macedonia’s second largest city. Bulgaria says that the modernisation of the line from Sofia to the border with North Macedonia will cost over 1,5 billion euros.

North Macedonia, on the other hand, has modernised the line between Kumanovo and Beljakovce (30.8 kilometres) and is building a new one from there to the border. The construction of the new infrastructure will be divided into two phases: Beljakovce-Kriva Palanka (34 kilometres) and Kriva Palanka-Deve Bair (23 kilometres).

Corridor VIII

A railway connection between the two countries would have advantages both for them as well as for southern Europe in general. Bulgaria and North Macedonia are strong trade partners, with Bulgaria exporting goods for over 800 million euros in 2024. The main industries involved in this export, (iron, steel, fuel, automotive) could benefit from a rail connection.

Moreover, this line would become a key section of the Corridor VIII, a multimodal route starting in the Italian southeastern ports in the Mediterranean and ending on the Bulgarian east coast on the Black Sea. Much of the rail part of the corridor, which will stretch from the Albanian ports of Durres and Vlore to the Bulgarian ports of Varna and Bugas is still under construction. For a total estimated investment of 2.1 billion euros only for Albania and North Macedonia, almost 600 kilometres of railways are planned for the route.

Bulgaria wants to build 3 tunnels to boost rail freight

Marco Raimondi — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:55:23 +0000

North-south rail connectivity in Bulgaria is a complicated matter due to the presence of the Stara Planina mountain range, which divides the country in two. The Bulgarian government is now claiming it will build three railway tunnels to solve this problem, which would significantly benefit rail freight.
The projects, according to the Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov, will be funded through public-private partnerships. The three routes announced for the future tunnels are Stolnik–Mezdra, Hristo Danovo–Troyan and a rail line through the Hainboaz Pass (also known as Pass of the Republic).

All the routes were chosen with rail freight in mind, as Deputy Prime Minister Karadjov stated. The gradients through these passages are never over 2‰, which means that freight trains can be pulled by one single locomotive, lowering costs and possibly increasing competitiveness. The Bulgarian Ministry of Transport was contacted for further information but no answer was received at time of publication.

The Stolnik–Mezdra tunnel, located in the west of Bulgaria, would create an additional route running northeast of Sofia along the corridor connecting Greece to Romania.

The one running from Hristo Danovo to Troyan would create a new north-south connection as the two locations are not currently connected due to the presence of the mountain range.

The tunnel crossing the Hainboaz Pass would provide an alternative to the mountainous route in the centre of the country.

Ramping up rail freight

Over the past few months, Bulgaria seems to have increased its interest in boosting rail freight. Other than the ambitious plan for these three new tunnels, the country is working on opening a new rail border crossing with Türkiye and investing in intermodal terminals as well as the port of Burgas.