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Bulgaria
Country Specific Information
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January 28, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Since joining the European Union since 2007, Bulgaria has continued to experience rapid economic development, especially
in urban and resort areas. Tourist facilities are widely available, although conditions vary and some facilities, infrastructure,
and services may not be up to Western standards. Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Bulgaria for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Bulgaria are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
The U.S. Embassy is located at
16, Kozyak St., Sofia1407;
tel.: (+359 2) 937-5100;
fax (+359 2) 937-5209;
non-immigrant visa matters;
for immigrant visa matters
American Citizen Services matters
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A United States passport is required for U.S. citizens who are not also Bulgarian nationals. U.S. citizens who enter the country without a Bulgarian visa are authorized to stay for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. This law is strictly enforced. An application to extend one’s stay beyond the original 90 days can be filed for urgent or humanitarian reasons, but must be submitted to regional police authorities no later than five days prior to the end of the original 90-day period. Travelers who have been in the country for 90 days, and then leave, will not be able to re-enter Bulgaria before the six-month period expires. Travelers using official or diplomatic passports must secure visas prior to arrival. Upon entering the country, Bulgarian immigration authorities request that all foreigners declare the purpose of their visit and provide their intended address.
For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel. (202) 387-7969 (main switchboard (202) 387-0174), or the Bulgarian Consulate in New York City at 121 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10021; tel. (212) 935-4646.
U.S. citizens intending to live or work in Bulgaria for more than 90 days within six months (or more than six months within
a year) must obtain a “D” visa prior to arrival. As of July 2008, U.S. citizens must apply for a “D” visa at a Bulgarian Embassy/Consulate
in the country where they are legally resident. If a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. is already present in Bulgaria -- having
entered as a tourist, for example -- and wishes to obtain a “D” visa to remain for an extended period, he or she will have
to leave Bulgaria in order to apply for a visa. U.S. citizens residing in the United States should apply at the Bulgarian
representative office (either the Embassy or a Consulate) nearest their home. Visit the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Bulgarian Embassies/Consulates websites for more information on visas.
The Bulgarian authorities do not consider presentation of a copy of the passport sufficient for identification purposes. Visitors
should carry their original passports with them at all times; this is not a requirement for U.S. citizens who hold residence
permits for Bulgaria. A U.S. passport card is also recognized as a proof of citizenship and identity, but is not accepted
for use for international air travel; it can be used only to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and
Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.
Traveling with Bulgarian Citizen Minors: Bulgarian authorities are particularly strict in matters involving the travel of Bulgarian children. For situations involving travel out of Bulgaria of a dual or multi-national Bulgarian child accompanied by a parent or another adult, a certified/legalized declaration signed by the absent parent(s) authorizing custody for travel purposes must be presented to authorities upon departure. If the declaration is signed in Bulgaria, certification by a Bulgarian notary public is required. If signed in the U.S., the declaration must be certified by a notary public and the court in the jurisdiction where the notary is licensed. The declaration must then be legalized with an apostille issued by the individual state's Secretary of State or Governor’s office, and a Bulgarian translation by a licensed translation company to be certified by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Please note Bulgarian authorities do not require such documentation for minors who are not Bulgarian.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Bulgaria.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: While Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union has enhanced the overall security environment for tourist and business travelers, violence related to criminal groups occurs sporadically in public locations.
In 2008 the U.S. Embassy warned of the increasing incidence of violent criminal activity at “gentlemen’s clubs” in Sofia and encouraged U.S. citizens to avoid such clubs. Recent incidents include bombings and shootings, likely resulting from turf wars between rival organized crime syndicates, which remain highly prevalent in Bulgaria’s largely cash economy. In January 2010, a journalist was assassinated in Sofia in broad daylight after publishing a book containing details on Bulgarian organized crime.
Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes in response to world or local events can occur sporadically. Traffic disruptions in Bulgaria, particularly in the central city, have occurred as a result of demonstrations. While these demonstrations are normally peaceful, confrontational demonstrations have occurred. We remind all U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. A rally in January 2009 resulted in clashes between police and protestors and the arrests of more than 50 people. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid demonstration areas if possible, and to exercise caution if traveling within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should monitor media coverage to stay abreast of local events and should be aware of their surroundings at all times. Information regarding demonstrations in Bulgaria can be found on the U.S. Embassy Sofia’s website.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in crowded markets, shopping streets, and the busiest tram and bus lines. Con artists operate on public transportation and in bus and train stations. Credit cards and ATMs should be used with caution. Be wary of people who approach you at an ATM and offer assistance. Do not give your PIN to anyone under any circumstances (See the Special Circumstances section below).
Travelers should be suspicious of "instant friends" and should also require persons claiming to be government officials to show identification.
Reporting a crime immediately to the police has helped recover money and valuables on more than one occasion and is recommended. To avoid becoming a victim of more serious crimes, one should use the same personal safety precautions that they would use in large urban areas of the United States.
Travelers should pay special attention to the drink prices at high-end bars and nightclubs. There have been instances of travelers being charged exorbitant prices, especially for champagne and hard alcohol. Bills have been as high as several thousand dollars for drinks, and in some establishments the management may use force to secure payment.
On occasion, taxi drivers overcharge unwary travelers, particularly at Sofia Airport and the Central Train Station. We recommend
travelers use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield. Travelers
should be aware that there is no official commission that sets taxi cab rates. Taxi drivers are within their full rights
to charge passengers any price they want, provided that it corresponds with the price shown on the windshield sticker. The
standard rates normally range between BGL 0.59 and 0.70 (about 40 US cents) per kilometer. Some taxis charge BGL 6.59 or
6.70 (about $5) per kilometer. However, because these exorbitant prices are clearly displayed on the taxi, there is no current
law being violated. At the airport, there is a clearly marked booth within the arrivals terminal, which arranges for metered
taxis at a fair rate. Finding reputable taxis at the Central Train Station is more difficult. It is recommended to inquire
about the fare first, to avoid excessive payment if a metered taxi cannot be found. Always ensure that you have and account
for all luggage, packages and hand-carried items before you pay and release a taxi. The likelihood of retrieving articles
left behind in a taxi is remote.
Automobile theft is a concern, with four-wheel-drive vehicles and late model European sedans being the most popular targets.
Very few vehicles are recovered. Automobile burglaries are common in residential areas or near parks, especially when valuables
are left in plain sight. Residential burglaries are also a frequent occurrence as in any major city. Persons who plan to
reside in Bulgaria on a long-term basis should take measures to protect their dwellings. Long-term residents should consider
installation of window grilles, steel doors with well-functioning locks, and an alarm system.
Travelers should also be cautious about making credit card charges over the Internet to unfamiliar websites. As recent experience has shown, offers for merchandise and services may be scam artists posing as legitimate businesses. A recent example involves Internet credit card payments to alleged tour operators via Bulgaria-based websites. In several cases, the corresponding businesses did not actually exist.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.. A traveler must also report the lost/stolen passport to Bulgarian Migration authorities located at 48, Maria Luisa in Sofia or the local police station if in the countryside. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and the prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Emergency services to include police, fire or ambulance services are reached by dialing 112, the local equivalent to 911 in the U.S.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.
Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Bulgaria are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards should be used sparingly and with extreme caution. Skimming devices, surreptitiously attached to ATMs by criminals, are used to capture cards and PINs for later criminal use, including unauthorized charges or withdrawals, are common in Bulgaria. If travelers choose to use credit cards, it is recommended to use ATMs located in banks or malls as opposed to the more vulnerable locations on the street. Travelers should regularly check their account status to ensure its integrity. In connection with such scams, travelers should be extremely wary of friendly bystanders near ATMs who offer assistance. Any time a card is not returned the traveler should immediately report the card as lost/stolen to the card-issuing company.
Visitors may exchange cash at banks or Exchange Bureaus, but they should know that Exchange Bureaus sometimes post misleading rate quotations that confuse travelers. People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are usually con artists intent on swindling the unwary traveler. Damaged or very worn U.S dollar bank notes are often not accepted at banks or Exchange Bureaus. Major branches of the following Bulgarian banks will cash travelers' checks on the spot for Leva, the Bulgarian currency, or another desired currency: Unicredit Bulbank, Bulgarian Postbank, First Investment Bank, and United Bulgarian Bank (UBB). UBB also serves as a Western Union agent and provides direct transfer of money to travelers in need. There are also many Western Union branches in major towns and cities. Most shops, hotels, and restaurants, with the exception of the major hotels, do not accept travelers' checks or credit cards. Only some local banks can cash U.S. Treasury checks and the payee may need to wait up to a month to receive funds.
Corruption remains an important concern of the Bulgarian Government. The Commission for Coordinating of the Activity for Combating Corruption manages the efforts of each government agency’s internal inspectorate in fighting public corruption and engages in public awareness campaigns. Complaints of public corruption can be made by email to the Ministry of Finance, 2A Knyaz Dondukov Blvd., 1055 Sofia, Bulgaria and 1 Slavyanska St., 1000 Sofia, 359 2 987 06 97; or to the Ministry of Finance by phone at 080018018 (for more information, visit the Ministry of Justice web site or by email form.
U.S. citizens planning to import an automobile to Bulgaria should be aware that customs duties on personal automobiles can be high.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: While Bulgarian physicians are trained to a very high standard, most hospitals and clinics, especially in village areas, are generally not equipped and maintained to meet U.S. or Western European standards. Basic medical supplies and over-the-counter and prescription medications are widely available, but highly specialized treatment may not be obtainable. Pediatric facilities are in need of funding and lack equipment. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States may cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. A list of hospitals and physicians in Bulgaria can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s website.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
All foreign citizens traveling to Bulgaria should be prepared to present valid evidence of health insurance to the Bulgarian border authorities in order to be admitted into the country. The insurance should be valid for the duration of the traveler’s stay in Bulgaria.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States.
The Bulgarian road system is largely underdeveloped. There are few sections of limited-access divided highway. Some roads are in poor repair and full of potholes. Rockslides and landslides may be encountered on roads in mountainous areas. Livestock and animal-drawn carts present road hazards throughout the country, especially during the agricultural season. Travel conditions deteriorate during the winter as roads become icy and potholes proliferate. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia advises against driving at night because road conditions are more dangerous in the dark. Some roads lack pavement markings and lights, and motorists often drive with dim or missing headlights.
Driving in Bulgaria is extremely dangerous. Aggressive driving habits, the lack of safe infrastructure, and a mixture of late model and old model cars on the country’s highways contribute to a high fatality rate for road accidents. Motorists should avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers in Bulgaria. In particular, drivers of late-model sedans are known to speed and drive dangerously. Motorists should exercise caution and avoid altercations with the drivers of such vehicles, which may be driven by armed organized crime figures. In some cities traffic lights late at night blink yellow in all directions, leaving rights-of-way unclear and contributing to frequent accidents. A form of “Russian road roulette” has taken hold in Sofia wherein drivers make bets about speeding through red lights at speeds to exceed 120mph in the late hours of the evening; bets are also taken challenging drivers to go the wrong way around roundabouts at high speeds.
Heavy truck traffic along the two-lane routes from the Greek border at Kulata to Sofia and from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andre to Plovdiv creates numerous hazards. Motorists should expect long delays at border crossings. A U.S. state driver's license is valid in Bulgaria only when used in conjunction with an International Driving Permit. For information on how to obtain a permit, please see our Road Safety Overseas information.
If pulled over by a police officer, motorists should be aware that, under a recently changed Bulgarian law, police officers may collect fines on the spot.
The use of seat belts is mandatory in Bulgaria for all passengers, except pregnant women. Children under 12 years of age may ride in the front seat only if seated in a child car seat. In practice, these rules are often not followed. Speed limits are 50 km/h in the cities/towns, 90 km/h out of town, and 130 km/h on the highways. For motorcycles, speed limits are 50 km/h in the cities/towns, 80 km/h out of town, and 100 km/h on the highways. Motorcyclists must drive with helmets and with lights on at all times. At crossings that are not regulated, the driver who is on the right has the right-of-way, but this rule is frequently ignored. Drivers may be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood level as low as 0.05 percent. Right turns on red lights are not permitted unless specifically authorized. The penalties for drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death range from a US $25 fine up to imprisonment for life. A new law requires the use of headlights day and night from November 1st through March 31st.
In case of emergency, drivers should call 112 (equivalent to 911 in the U.S.).
For specific information concerning Bulgarian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please visit the Bulgarian Embassy website.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the website of Bulgaria’s national tourist office and the website of the Bulgarian national authority responsible for road safety. (Note: The latter website is in Bulgarian only.)
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Bulgaria’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Bulgaria’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Bulgaria dated January 30, 2009, to update sections on Threats to Safety and Security, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Medical Insurance, and Victims of Crime.
