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ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required.
UK citizen visitors who enter the country on regular
passports without a Bulgarian visa are authorized
to stay for a total of 30 days within a six-month
period. Travellers who intend to stay more than
30 days, or travellers using official or diplomatic
passports, must secure a Bulgarian visa from a
Bulgarian embassy/consulate prior to arrival.
Foreign citizens who intend to stay and live or
work in Bulgaria must obtain a special Type ‘D’
visa prior to arrival. Once in Bulgaria, this
visa facilitates application for a residence permit.
Travellers who have a one-year multiple-entry
visa for Bulgaria may stay for a total of 90 days
within a six- month period. If a traveller comes
to Bulgaria on a one-year multiple-entry visa,
stays in the country 90 days and then leaves,
he/she will not be able to enter the country within
the next 90 days.
All travellers are required to register with the
regional passport office for foreigners or the
police within 48 hours after their arrival in
the country and to inform the office about any
change in their address. For those staying at
a hotel, a private boarding house or an apartment
rented through an accommodation company, registration
is taken care of by the proprietor. Presentation
of a copy of the passport is not considered sufficient
for identification purposes in Bulgaria - visitors
are advised to carry their passport with them
at all times. For further information concerning
entry requirements, please see the Web site of
the Embassy of Bulgaria in London, www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk
 MEDICAL
INSURANCE: As of December 1, 2001, all
foreign citizens travelling to Bulgaria must 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 traveller’s stay in
Bulgaria. Foreign nationals should consult with
their medical insurance company prior to travelling
to confirm whether their policy applies to Bulgaria
and if it will cover emergency expenses such as
a medical evacuation. Many travel agents and private
companies offer insurance plans that will cover
health care expenses incurred overseas, including
emergency services such as medical evacuations.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD
CONDITIONS: The Bulgarian road system
is generally well-developed, with several trunk
motorways along the main transport corridors.
Local roads are continually being upgraded, but
potholes remain a problem, particularly after
the winter season. Driving in Bulgaria is on the
right side of the road. Visitors may drive using
their national license, as long as it complies
with international standards. The use of seat
belts is mandatory in Bulgaria. Child car seats
are required by law, but only on the back seats.
Speed limits are 50 km/h in the cities/towns,
90 km/h out of town and 120 km/h on the highways.
The same speed limits apply for motorcycles; 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 over 0.05%. Right turns
on red lights are not permitted unless specifically
authorized.
Road signs follow international standards, with
major routes and destinations signposted in both
Cyrillic and Latin letters. Petrol service stations
are present along all main routes and offer toilet
and refreshment facilities. Fuel in Bulgaria is
lead-free and available in the following Octane
levels: 92, 95 and 98. Diesel fuel is also widely
available, as is LPG. The major fuel retail chains
include Petrol, Shell, OMV, Lukoil. In case of
emergency, drivers should contact the traffic
police (KAT) at telephone number 166 and/or the
Roadside Assistance at telephone number 146. An
ambulance can be called on 150.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:
Travelers should declare jewellery, cameras, computers,
and other valuables upon arrival in order to avoid
difficulties when departing. Travelers entering
Bulgaria with more than 8,000 Bulgarian Leva or
the equivalent (around GBP 2,800) in either foreign
currency or travelers checks must declare the
money and/or checks to Customs officials upon
arrival. Travelers entering Bulgaria with any
amount of cut or uncut gems, uncrafted gold or
uncrafted silver must also declare these valuables.
Foreign nationals intending to declare money or
valuables who enter Bulgaria through Sofia Airport
are strongly encouraged to use the red "Something
to Declare" line and not the green "Nothing
to Declare" line at Customs, even if specifically
invited into the green line by a Customs official.
The Bulgarian government considers entry through
the green line to be a formal, irrevocable declaration
that the traveler is carrying less than 8,000
Leva, and Customs authorities have sometimes confiscated
travelers' entire funds if they are carrying undeclared
cash in excess of that amount. Travelers who attempt
to leave the country with the equivalent of 25,000
Bulgarian Leva or more must complete a customs
declaration on which they must state the origin
of the money, and present a certificate from the
Bulgarian regional internal revenue service proving
they do not owe taxes, unless the sum is less
than the amount originally reported when initially
brought into the country. Bulgaria's customs authorities
encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporary
Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission
of professional equipment, commercial samples,
and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes.
A Border Crossing Guide is available online at:
www.bcci.bg
MONEY EXCHANGE:
Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy, so visitors
will need a reasonable amount of Leva. It is strongly
recommended that  foreign
currency (either Euro, US Dollars or Sterling)
is exchanged only at banks or licensed exchange
bureaus, as changing money in the street may result
in fraud. It is to be noted that damaged or very
worn bank notes are often not accepted in Bulgaria.
Major branches of the following Bulgarian banks
will cash travelers' checks on the spot for Leva
or another desired currency: Bulbank, Bulgarian
Postbank, HVB Biochim, 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. Most shops, hotels
and restaurants, with the exception of the major
hotels, still do not accept travelers' checks
or credit cards. However, ATM cash machines are
increasing in numbers in the main towns and resorts,
allowing Leva to be drawn with all major debit/credit
cards.
Airports
Bulgaria is a 2.5 hour flight
from the UK direct. Two scheduled airlines currently
fly direct to Sofia once a day, most other major
European carriers fly indirectly.
There are a number of regional airports most notably
Varna and Bourgas on the Black Sea coast. During
the summer season, flights are available direct
from nineteen different airports in the UK. With
the interest that has been shown in Bulgaria over
the last couple of years, low cost airlines are
expected to introduce regular scheduled flights
there in the near future.
The main international airports are: Sofia, Varna
and Bourgas
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