Zlatograd – Thermes — no border checks

There are no border checks at this crossing

We deliberately show no number here. There is no queue to measure, so a calculated waiting time would be invented. Checks at internal Schengen borders are sometimes reintroduced temporarily — when that happens, waiting times will return to this page. Last verified: 2026-08-18.

Key facts: Zlatograd – Thermes

About Zlatograd – Thermes

Zlatograd, a small town at the southern edge of Smolyan province, is known for its preserved old quarter and an ethnographic complex showcasing traditional Rhodope crafts. From here the crossing leads over the mountains to the Greek village of Thermes in the Xanthi region, whose name refers to its local hot springs, and then down towards Xanthi and the Thracian coast. It is open to cars in both directions and serves mainly borderland residents and tourists combining the Bulgarian Rhodopes with a holiday on the Aegean.

The Bulgarian-Greek border is an internal Schengen border, and since 1 January 2025, when Bulgaria joined the zone on land as well, there have been no systematic document checks on it. A temporary reintroduction of controls by either country cannot be ruled out, so check the current information before leaving and take an ID card or passport. Bulgaria requires an electronic vignette.

Because the road runs through the mountains, weather matters most here: snow and fog can slow you down in winter, and traffic builds at weekends in high summer. The crossing itself rarely produces long queues, but allow extra time for the approach. The nearest alternatives are Rudozem–Xanthi to the west and Makaza–Nymfaia to the east, and for longer trips the main Kulata–Promachonas crossing. Check the current state on the live board.

Border webcams: Zlatograd – Thermes

Cameras, charts and forecast on nakordoni.eu →

Alternatives close by

Nearby crossings