Europe

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• Due to earlier heavy snows followed by a recent abrupt increase in temperatures there is a danger of avalanches in some areas of Bulgaria. You should take advice on weather and avalanche conditions before you travel and also while you are in the resort. Helmets are recommended when skiing; for children under 15 their use is mandatory in most areas.
  
  
• Since March 2011, all railway connections between Greece and Bulgaria have been suspended for an indefinite period.
  
  
• There are regular strikes and demonstrations in Greece. If you are transiting Bulgaria to Greece you may need to change your travel arrangements en route. These strikes and demonstrations are sometimes called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece (including air travel and ports). See our Travel Advice for Greece.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• 97 British nationals required consular assistance in Bulgaria in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011.  See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• Be aware of pickpockets in city centres and tourist resorts especially in crowded areas e.g. buses, trains and busy streets. Keep valuable belongings in a hotel safe where possible. If you need to contact the emergency services in Bulgaria call 112 - English speaking operators are available.
  
  
• British citizens holding valid passports can enter Bulgaria without requiring a visa.  However, individuals entering Bulgaria without a visa on “BRITISH SUBJECT” passports, may be refused entry. If you are in any doubt contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel.
  
  
• Carry a copy of the information pages of your passport at all times as proof of identity.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See our terrorism abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Organised criminal groups are active in casinos, nightclubs, prostitution and throughout the night time economy. Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been specifically targeted, however, there is obviously a risk of accidental injury from such incidents. Be aware that, on occasion, tourists have been the subject of overcharging in some late night bars and clubs.

We have had reports of several incidents of British nationals being robbed in the tourist resort of Sunny Beach, where in some cases intimidation and force has been used.  Visitors to this area should exercise caution and to refrain from displaying and carrying large amounts of cash and valuables.  

There have been reports of car tyres being deliberately punctured across Bulgaria. When investigating the puncture, someone distracts the driver whilst personal belongings and documents are stolen from the vehicle. Be vigilant if you have to stop in such circumstances and ensure your belongings are secure.

There have been incidents in the residential areas of Sofia, Pleven and Topolovgrad in which properties belonging to British nationals were broken into. If you intend to buy or already own a property, seek local advice on security for your home.

In some small villages there is no police station; if you need help from a police officer it may not be available straight away.  The Police can be contacted by dialling 166, anywhere in Bulgaria, at no charge from a landline or mobile.  The operator will forward your call to the local police station.  For all types of emergency (Fire, Ambulance, Police) you can dial 112, anywhere in Bulgaria, at no charge from a landline or mobile.

The majority of local authority officials and police officers do not speak English, even in tourist areas.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local travel
Since March 2011, all railway connections between Greece and Bulgaria have been suspended for an indefinite period. There are regular strikes and demonstrations in Greece. If you are transiting Bulgaria to Greece you may need to change your travel arrangements en route. These strikes and demonstrations are sometimes called at short notice and can cause disruption to public transport in and out of Greece (including air travel and ports). See our Travel Advice for Greece.

Most cities and larger towns have cheap and extensive public transport. There are regular bus services between most major towns in the country. There are several car-hire companies, including Hertz and Avis. It is possible to fly between Sofia and the two major towns on the Black Sea coast, Varna (closed for runway works until February 2012) and Bourgas. If travelling on a domestic air flight, have your passport ready for inspection.

Taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards, although vehicles may not be in very good condition.  Most taxis are metered and yellow taxis are generally considered reliable, but avoid taxis parked outside hotels or in tourist areas - ask your hotel to call a taxi or flag down a passing taxi with a green “available” light in the window. Check the tariffs on the vehicle window before boarding as they can vary considerably. At Sofia airport you should use a taxi from one of the two companies (OK Supertrans and S-Express) operating the official rank.  Each of these companies has a manned desk in the Arrivals Hall from where it is advised you book a car for your onward journey.  From Varna Airport ‘Stil’ Taxi and from Bourgas Airport ‘Srebrin Argirov - ORAK’ companies operate the official rank.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road travel
If you enter Bulgaria in a private vehicle, you must have your driving licence, all original registration and ownership documents (including logbook) as well as evidence of insurance validity in Bulgaria. If you have hired a car you must have the original contract document, which should state that the vehicle can be brought into Bulgaria. Border officials will impound your vehicle if they are not satisfied that you own it or have permission to use it in Bulgaria.

Tolls, in the form of a vignette, are charged on motorways and main roads out of town. These are payable in Bulgarian Leva. The rate for cars is currently BGN 10 for one week, BGN 25 for one month, and BGN 67 for one year. Rates are much higher for freight vehicles and coaches for eight or more passengers. Vignettes can be purchased at ports and border points, and are also available from post offices, large petrol stations and DZI bank offices. You will be fined if you do not carry the appropriate vignette.

Under Bulgarian law, vehicles that are registered outside the EU are considered to be 'temporarily imported' when driven inside Bulgaria. If they are stolen on Bulgarian soil, the owners will be liable for import duty and related taxes. Cars registered in the Channel Islands and the Isles of Man are subject to this legislation.
 
Take care when driving, particularly at night. Many roads are in poor condition and road works are often unlit or unmarked. Driving standards are generally poor. Avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers who may be armed. Observe the speed limit and ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy. On the spot fines are charged for minor violations.

In 2010 there were 775 road deaths in Bulgaria (source: DfT). This equates to 10.2 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the UK average of 3.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2010.

Some criminals have been reported to impersonate traffic policemen and impose “fines” or even steal vehicles and personal belongings on major routes.  If you are crossing Bulgaria by car, try to travel in daylight hours.

See our driving abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Stray Dogs
Stray dogs are common in Bulgaria. There was a recent incident in the suburbs of Sofia when a pack of stray dogs attacked a man who subsequently died of his injuries. It is sensible to avoid getting too close to stray dogs, especially if the dogs are in a pack. Any animal bites should be taken seriously and immediately brought to a medical practitioner’s attention, as rabies and other animal born diseases are present in Bulgaria.

Safety and Security - Rail and bus travel
If travelling by train, check with operators on the availability of sleeping compartments and whether bicycles can be taken on board. This may vary between regions, and there may be additional charges. Thieves operate on trains, so take particular care that documents and other valuables are safe. The train system is very poor by European standards, there were several fires in 2011. Most Bulgarians prefer to travel by inter-city buses, which are frequent, relatively fast and comfortable, however there were several bus crashes in 2011 with multiple casualties.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Country Profile: Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian authorities treat all drug-related (including possession) and or sex offences very seriously (the age of consent is 16). Custodial sentences can be expected for any foreigners convicted of such offences. Offences relating to drunken, disorderly behaviour and hooliganism may also be treated more seriously than in the UK.

Homosexuality is not illegal, but Bulgarians tend not to be very open about the subject and the gay community generally keeps a low profile. There are a few gay bars and clubs in Sofia, Varna and, to a lesser extent, in other major towns in Bulgaria.

You should avoid taking photographs near potentially sensitive areas such as military establishments in order to avoid any misunderstanding. If in doubt, ask permission.

Local Laws and Customs - Purchasing Property
While the majority of property brokers are honest, we have received numerous reports of buyers being defrauded. The British Government cannot intervene in legal proceedings within a fellow EU Member State, nor can they become involved in steps to recover any capital outlay in respect of individual property deals. Proceed with caution and seek comprehensive advice, including legal advice from a qualified, independent, Bulgarian property lawyer, before making any purchase. British nationals purchasing property in Bulgaria should deal only with established and reputable real estate agents or with other contacts that they know to be reliable and genuine. See our guide on buying property abroad.

The Bulgarian legal system is not the same as that in the UK and the process of achieving legal redress in Bulgaria can be very protracted in comparison.

Take at least the same steps to protect your interests as you would do at home, and instruct an experienced, reputable lawyer who is totally independent to act on your behalf and ensure that your interests are adequately safeguarded. Attempting to save money on professional fees by cutting corners, or by using the seller’s lawyers, is a false economy that can result in problems later.

See our your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Bulgaria. For stays of up to three months your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this. However, it is always sensible to have a short period of extra validity on your passport in case of any unforeseen delays to your departure. You do not have to wait until your old passport expires to apply to renew it. Any time left on your old passport when you apply will be added to your new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. For passport applications in the UK, you should apply to the Identity and Passport Service. For stays of longer than three months, contact the Embassy of the country to which you are travelling.

Entry Requirements - Visas
British citizens holding valid passports can enter Bulgaria without requiring a visa. However, please note that British subjects, e.g. of Irish descent and born before 1 January 1949, must obtain a visa from the Bulgarian Embassy in London prior to any visit to Bulgaria; failure to do so will mean that you will be refused entry. If your passport classifies you as anything other than a British citizen contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel to see if you need a visa. If you wish to visit Bulgaria for longer than three months, and/or reside in Bulgaria on a more permanent basis exercising an EU Treaty right (for example as a worker, student, self-employed person or self-sufficient person), you will need to register with the police to obtain the appropriate permit. Dual nationals of Bulgaria and any other country should enter and exit Bulgaria on their Bulgarian passports. It is always advisable to carry your Bulgarian travel document with you as well as that of your second nationality.

Entry Requirements - Currency regulations
Any person entering or leaving the EU will have to declare the cash that they are carrying if this amounts to 10,000 Euros or more; this includes cheques, travellers’ cheques, money orders, etc.  This will not apply to anyone travelling via the EU to a non-EU country – as long as the original journey started outside of the EU, nor to those travelling within the EU.  

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
All children entering Bulgaria will need to have their own passport. Children included in parents' passports will only be allowed in if the passport also contains their photograph. Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting children to leave the country.

Entry Requirements - Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Bulgaria.

Facilities in most Bulgarian hospitals are basic and old-fashioned compared to those in the UK. Standards of medical care are acceptable, although specialised equipment/treatment may not be available. Hospital staff rarely speak English.

Private clinics and hospitals are generally well equipped and not expensive in comparison with the UK.  Be aware that some private hospitals will not accept the EHIC. Check with hospital administrators.

Contact your GP around eight weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide, is available from NHS Choices.

If you are visiting Bulgaria you should obtain a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but it entitles you to state provided medical treatment that may become necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as Bulgarian nationals, so if a Bulgarian national is required to pay a fee towards their treatment, you would also have to pay the same fee. The EHIC will not cover medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment, so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation. See our EHIC page and the NHS - About the EHIC page.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 3,800 adults aged 15 or over in Bulgaria were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 0.1% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you are referred to a medical facility for treatment you should contact your insurance/medical assistance company immediately.

Our Travel Health pages offer further advice on how to stay healthy when overseas.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Bulgaria and small tremors are recorded throughout the year without consequences. The last significant series of earthquakes occurred on 14, 18 and 25 April 1928, with numerous casualties and significant damage.

Independent advice on how to prepare for, and how you can protect yourself during an earthquake or tremor is available from many sources online. For further information please see the Embassy website

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the full period you will be in the country, and which includes medical repatriation to the UK if necessary. Be aware, however, that most insurance companies will not authorise medical repatriation to the UK as a matter of routine, or because local hospitals are not up to UK standards. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our travel insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page. 

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Obtaining a replacement passport
The British Embassy in Sofia does not issue full passports. Before setting off, you should ensure that your passport has sufficient validity and a plentiful supply of unused pages.

Applications for new passports are not accepted in Sofia.  Applicants are required to send completed forms and supporting documents direct to the British Passport Processing Centre in Dusseldorf – further information on the procedure can be obtained from the Embassy website – www.ukinbulgaria.fco.gov.uk.  

In the event of an emergency requiring immediate travel to the UK the British Embassy can issue an Emergency Travel Document to enable you to do so. You should keep a photocopy of your passport with you at all times as proof of identity.

General - Customs regulations
If you travel within the European Union (EU) you can bring an unlimited amount of most goods, for example, you can bring in any alcohol, tobacco, meat and dairy products- as long as they are for your own use and transported by you. If you are bringing in alcohol and tobacco goods and the Customs officer may have reason to suspect they may be for a commercial purpose, an officer may ask you questions and make checks. It refers to travelling into Bulgaria or/and entering the UK.  See HMRC.

The Bulgarian Customs authorities will require excise duty paid in Bulgaria (the cigarettes should have a excise duty label confirming payment),  Bulgarian Customs officials are likely to ask you questions if you have more than 800 cigarettes declared as personal consumption or gifts but they will generally be following the regulations of the country to which you are travelling.

General - Money
You can buy Leva from banks and foreign exchange offices in the UK. There are many exchange bureaux in Bulgaria that normally exchange all major currencies.  However, check the rates of exchange before making a transaction and where possible, you should change money in banks, in large hotels, or in exchange bureaux, do not use sellers on the street.  If you have travellers’ cheques you may need to go to a bank anyway. Be aware that Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes/coins may not be exchanged in banks and bureaux de changes.

There is now a large network of ATMs that accept standard international credit and debit cards. Check with your UK bank/card provider whether you will be able to use these machines to draw Leva.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
97 British nationals required consular assistance in Bulgaria in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following types of incident: 28 deaths; 33 hospitalisations; and 14 arrests, for a variety of offences.