Bulgaria
Warnings and insurance
Summary
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection for Bulgaria’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice aboutfor risksthe oflatest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to helppass Britishthrough nationalsanother makecountry informedon decisions.your Findjourney, outcheck the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more aboutimportant than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel adviceinsurance.
Before
There youare travelrules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information.
NoSporadic travelprotests occur across Bulgaria which can because guaranteedoccasional safe.disruption. ReadYou should avoid all protests and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Be aware of pickpockets, bag thefts and street attacks on visitors in thiscity guidecentres asand wellcoastal asresorts. supportThere forare Britishalso nationalsregular abroadreports whichof includes:robberies and threatening behaviour by taxi drivers in Sunny Beach. See Crime
- advice
If onyou’re preparingtravelling forfrom the airport, make sure you take an official, licensed taxi. There is an official taxi rank in the arrivals hall. See Local travel
Terrorist abroadattacks andin reducingBulgaria risks
- information
can’t forbe women,ruled LGBT+out. On 30 December 2016, the Bulgarian authorities announced heightened security measures in all cities, winter ski resorts, and disabledplaces travellers
where large gatherings are expected. See Terrorism
FollowThere andhave contactbeen FCDOreports travelof holidaymakers being encouraged to submit a claim for personal injury if they have experienced gastric illness during their stay. You can find more information about the action you can take if you have suffered a personal injury on Twitter,the FacebookCitizens andAdvice Instagramwebsite. You canshould alsoonly signconsider uppursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness. If you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Bulgaria.
If you’re living in or moving to getBulgaria, emailvisit notificationsour Living in Bulgaria whenguide thisin adviceaddition isto updated.this travel advice.
Travel insurance
If you chooseneed to travel,contact researchthe emergency services in Bulgaria call 112. English speaking operators are available. See Health
Carry a copy of the information pages of your destinationspassport at all times as proof of identity.
If you’re abroad and getyou appropriateneed travelemergency insurancehelp from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The InsuranceOverseas shouldBusiness coverRisk yourservice itinerary,offers plannedinformation activities and expensesadvice infor anBritish emergency.companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
TheBefore Foreign,you Commonwealthtravel, &check Developmentthe Office‘Entry (FCDO)requirements’ providessection for Bulgaria’s current entry restrictions and requirements. Due to COVID-19, these may change with little warning. Monitor this advice aboutfor risksthe oflatest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to helppass Britishthrough nationalsanother makecountry informedon decisions.your Findjourney, outcheck the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more aboutimportant than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides appropriate cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel adviceinsurance.
Before
There youare travelrules about taking food and drink into the EU. See Taking food and drink into the EU for further information.
NoSporadic travelprotests occur across Bulgaria which can because guaranteedoccasional safe.disruption. ReadYou should avoid all protests and follow the advice of the local authorities.
Be aware of pickpockets, bag thefts and street attacks on visitors in thiscity guidecentres asand wellcoastal asresorts. supportThere forare Britishalso nationalsregular abroadreports whichof includes:robberies and threatening behaviour by taxi drivers in Sunny Beach. See Crime
- advice
Ifonyou’repreparingtravellingforfromtheairport,makesureyoutakeanofficial,licensedtaxi.Thereisanofficialtaxirankinthearrivalshall.SeeLocalTerroristabroadattacksandinreducingBulgariarisks - information
can’tforbewomen,ruledLGBT+out.On30December2016,theBulgarianauthoritiesannouncedheightenedsecuritymeasuresinallcities,winterskiresorts,placestravellers
FollowThere andhave contactbeen FCDOreports travelof holidaymakers being encouraged to submit a claim for personal injury if they have experienced gastric illness during their stay. You can find more information about the action you can take if you have suffered a personal injury on Twitter,the FacebookCitizens andAdvice Instagramwebsite. You canshould alsoonly signconsider uppursuing a complaint or claim if you have genuinely suffered from injury or illness. If you make a false or fraudulent claim, you may face legal proceedings in the UK or Bulgaria.
If you’re living in or moving to getBulgaria, emailvisit notificationsour Living in Bulgaria whenguide thisin adviceaddition isto updated.this travel advice.
Travel insurance
If you chooseneed to travel,contact researchthe emergency services in Bulgaria call 112. English speaking operators are available. See Health
Carry a copy of the information pages of your destinationspassport at all times as proof of identity.
If you’re abroad and getyou appropriateneed travelemergency insurancehelp from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The InsuranceOverseas shouldBusiness coverRisk yourservice itinerary,offers plannedinformation activities and expensesadvice infor anBritish emergency.companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-03-31 00:21
Information on Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area from 31 March
2024-02-08 11:57
Information on the penalties for drink driving in Bulgaria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-02 15:28
Bulgaria will partially join the Schengen zone on 31 March 2024. This includes arrivals by air and sea but not land where border checks will remain in place (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2023-09-06 16:27
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:31
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-11-30 11:09
Updated information on the COVID-19 regulations in Bulgaria (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-09-08 14:39
Updated information on the continuation of COVID-19 regulations in Bulgaria (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-26 17:09
Updated information on extension of COVID regulations until 31 August and that the requirement to wear masks on public transport has now ended (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-18 16:32
Updated information on reduced COVID-19 isolation period from 10 days to 7 days if you have tested positive and from 7 days to 5 days if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-11 15:55
Updated information on face mask requirements (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-03 16:26
Updated information on face mask requirements in Sofia (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-05-12 15:17
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-29 22:46
End of COVID entry rules from 1 May 2022 (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-04 16:06
Restrictions updated on 1 April due to the end of the ‘Epidemic Emergency’ (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-24 14:44
Changes to domestic requirements for access to public areas (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-03-02 13:14
Updated information on entry requirements to Bulgaria (‘Entry requirements’ page)