Bulgaria's BDZ secures €4.5m EUROFIMA loan for 18 intercity coaches

Bulgaria's national passenger operator BDZ received €4.5m from EUROFIMA on 1 July 2026 to acquire 18 pre-owned intercity coaches. The disbursement marks the second withdrawal under a framework agreement of up to €22m the parties concluded in April. A first tranche of €8.1m, drawn on 1 April 2026, covered 35 coaches according to EUROFIMA, though Bulgarian sources report 36 coaches. The programme supports BDZ's acquisition of 91 used intercity coaches from DB Fernverkehr worth approximately €21.8m excluding VAT, with the EUROFIMA loan agreement entering into force on 17 March 2026, the first €8.1m tranche having a 10-year term, and the overall framework remaining in effect until 2036.

The rolling stock previously ran on German intercity routes and will now enter service on Bulgaria's national network.

The European Company for the Financing of Railroad Rolling Stock provides long-term capital to railway operators across Europe for fleet acquisition and modernisation programmes. BDZ manages passenger rail operations throughout Bulgaria's national network.