Bulgaria - Travel Advice & Visas

Summary

• British citizens holding valid passports can enter Bulgaria for up to three months without requiring a visa.  However, we area aware of cases where individuals entering Bulgaria without a visa on “British subject” passports being refused entry.  If you are in any doubt you should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel.  Please see the Entry Requirements section of this travel advice for more details.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Bulgaria are for involve petty crime, replacing lost or stolen passports and car theft.  You should be aware of young pickpockets in city centres especially in crowded areas e.g. buses, trains and busy streets.  Keep valuable belongings in a hotel safe where possible.
  
  
• You should carry a copy of the information pages of your passport at all times as proof of identity.
  
  
• We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. 
  

Safety & Security

Crime  
Organised criminal groups are active in casinos, nightclubs, prostitution and elsewhere.  Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been targeted, although there is obviously a risk of accidental injury from such incidents.  You should beware of groups of young pickpockets (often children) in city centres, especially busy shopping areas and underpasses.  Thieves and pickpockets also target holidaymakers at Black Sea coastal resorts.  You should leave passports and other valuables in a hotel safe or other secure place.  (You are strongly advised, however, to carry a copy of the information pages of your passport as proof of identity).

Please be aware that many local authority officials and police officers do not speak English.

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 valid 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 won it or have permission to use it in Bulgaria.

Since January 2005, tolls have been charged on motorways and main rods out of town.  These are payable in Euros.  The rate for cars is currently five Euros for a one-week vignette and 12 Euros for one month.  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 for post offices and DZI bank offices.  You will be fined if you do not carry the appropriate vignette.

If your vehicle is stolen while you are in Bulgaria, you will be considered liable for import duty and related taxes.  If you cannot pay, you will have to sign a declaration on departure confirming that you will pay the due amount.  We strongly recommend that, if possible, you take out insurance to cover this.

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.  You should observe the speed limit and ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy.  Spot fines are charged for minor violations. 

Some criminals are reported to impersonate traffic policemen to flag vehicles down on major routes, especially near international border crossings.  If you are crossing Bulgaria by car, you should try to travel in daylight hours.

Local laws and Customs
Currency regulations are strict.  If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of Leva 8000 or more, you must declare it to customs officials (ie the red channel at the port of entry).  If you do not, the money will be confiscated, and you may possibly be detained and charged.

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 no longer 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 and, to a lesser extent, in other major towns in Bulgaria.

Be careful if you are taking photographs in security-sensitive areas such as airports.  If in doubt, ask permission.

Entry Requirements
British citizens holding valid passports can enter Bulgaria for up three months, and have the right to stay longer if exercising an EU Treaty right, although you will need to register with the police.  Prior to travelling you should ensure that your passport has a validity of three months beyond the end of your intended stay.  Damaged passports will not be accepted. 

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 you should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London before you travel to see if you need a visa.

If you wish to visit 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), you will need to register with the police and get 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.

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.  For further information on exactly what will be required please contact Bulgarian representation in the UK.

Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover the full period you will be in the country, and which includes medivac to the UK if necessary.  (You should be aware, however, that most insurance companies will not authorise medivac to the UK as a matter of routine, or because local hospitals are not up to UK standards.)  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

The Form E111 is no longer valid.  You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK.  The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to any medical treatment that becomes necessary on the same terms as Bulgarian nationals.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see Europe and the EHIC.

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, and hospital staff may not speak English.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  http://www.dh.gov.uk

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