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Travel Guide
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The Balkan Mountains cross the country reaching to the edge of the Black Sea and its golden beaches. The land is heavily cultivated, covered with forests and crossed by rivers. Although Bulgaria lies in the very southeast corner of Europe the climate is never extreme in summer, even on the red-earthed plains of Southern Thrace. The Black Sea resorts have some of the largest beaches in Europe and offer sunbathing from May until October, while in winter heavy falls of snow are virtually guaranteed in the mountain skiing resorts.
Passports and Visas
As a British national you may enter Bulgaria as a tourist without a visa for up to thirty days only in any 6 month period. Please note the immigration authorities are enforcing this rule more strictly now: you may not be allowed to re-enter Bulgaria after the initial thirty days have expired if you have not spent the requisite period outside the country. If you wish to travel to, and reside in Bulgaria on a more permanent basis, you should contact the Bulgarian Embassy in London and arrange for an appropriate visa.
You must register with the nearest police station within five days of arrival. If you are in a hotel or on a package holiday, this will be done for you. If you are staying in a private house, you will need to do it yourself. Failure to do so may result in a fine (currently between BGN 200 and 2000) for your host family. If your stay is less than 5 days, registration is not essential. However, even short-term visitors are advised to register if possible. 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.
With effect from 1 January 2006, 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:
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
186-188 Queen's Gate
London SW7 5HL
www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk
phone: 0870 060 2350,0870 0602351, fax: 020 7584 4948
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 09.00 - 18.00
Consular Section Admission Hours:
09.30 - 12.30, Monday to Friday (with an appointment)
12:30 - 14:00, Monday to Friday (without an appointment)
24 Hour Automated Booking System: tel. 090 6554 0750 (calls cost GBP 1/min)
24 Hour Visa Information Service: tel. 090 6550 8950 (calls cost GBP 1/min)
24 Hour Fax on Demand Visa Application Form Service: tel. 090 6554 0819 (calls cost GBP 1/min)
Individual Inquiries on Submitted Applications: tel. 020 7589 3763 (13.00-15.00)
Consular Section Fax: 020 7581 9073
Debit and Credit Cards
All major Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, etc are accepted for payment of all standard services in many hotels, restaurants, night clubs, shops, car rentals, travel agencies, etc, but some commission applies. Although credit cards are accepted in some places it is advisable to have some cash with you. There are many ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) at the towns and resorts.
Opening Hours
Banks are open from 9am until 3pm Mon.-Fri. Most shops are open from 9am to 8pm Office hours are 9am-5.30pm Mon.-Fri. Foods and beverage stores are open from 9am. to 8-9pm., though some are open 24 hours.
Restaurants
The menu includes mostly dishes of both the Bulgarian and the European cuisine. Restaurants are usually open from 9am. to 12pm. Some of them may be open as long as there are guests.
If the service charge is not specified in the menu and included in your bill it is accepted to leave it a tip of 10%. If you wish, you may also tip the chambermaid at the hotel.
Pharmacy
Usually open from 8am to 8pm. There are also a 24-hour pharmacies.
Health
Although some initial emergency medical treatment may be given free, British citizens are likely to be charged for the majority of medical expenses incurred whilst in Bulgaria (including tests and investigations, medication and overnight stays in hospital, whether state or private). We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover the full period you will be in the country.
Water
Tap water is strongly chlorinated but completely suitable to drink. Therefore better drink bottled mineral water.
Transport
There is well developed Public transport network in large towns: buses, trams, trolley bus, mini bus services, taxis. Underground is available only in Sofia. Taxi rates are more or less the same in all towns and cities and are from 0.50 Leva per km (0.25 Euro).
- Inter-city transport : plane, train, coach. Busses are preferred means of transport between towns in Bulgaria as it is well organized and reliable. A bus ticket from Sofia to the seaside costs 8-10 Euros and takes 6-7 hours. The trains are an alternative to the buses with similar prices, but they are much slower. Tickets can be purchased from bus/trains stations or from travel and tourist agencies.
- There are domestic flights from Sofia to Varna airport and from Sofia to Burgas airport /every day during the summer season and once or twice a week during winter season/. Travel time is 1 hour and return ticket costs around 115 Euros.
- Car rental is available from international rent-a-car companies such as AVIS, Hertz, Budget , Eurocar, Sixth as well as many local rent-a-car companies. Prices vary from company to company and depend on the cars.
Monetary Units
Bulgaria is a relatively cheap country for tourists and most of life's essentials cost considerably less here than they do in the West. The currency unit in Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). At present the BGN is pegged to the Euro at the rate of BGN 1 per EUR 0.51129. Central exchange rates are quoted daily by the Bulgarian National Bank /BNB /for statistical and accounting purposes only.
The banknote denominations are: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Leva;
Coins are called stotinki and include 1, 2, 5,10, 20, 50. There is also a coin of 1 Lev.
Every local or foreign person may own an unlimited number of accounts in any currency, in any bank in Bulgaria. There are no restrictions on the repatriation of earnings, capital, royalties or interest with regard to the foreign investments and repatriation payments can be made freely.
Financial Regulations in Bulgaria
The foreign exchange regime is based on the principle of freedom of concluding transactions, actions and payments. Transfers are governed by the Foreign Currency Act; the regulation on trans-border transfers and payments; the regulation on export and import of Bulgarian Leva and foreign currency in cash, precious metals and stones.
Bulgarian citizens as well as foreigners may take Bulgarian Leva and foreign currency out of the country without documentation of up to BGN 20,000 or its foreign exchange equivalent. However, the export of Leva and foreign currency between BGN 5,001 and BGN 20,000 or its foreign exchange equivalent should be declared at the customs. Transfers above BGN 20,000 must have a prior approval of the Bulgarian National Bank. Foreigners are permitted to export as much currency over the foreign currency equivalent of BGN 20,000 as they have imported into Bulgaria without prior approval.
Payments abroad made by businesses (or self-employed business people) can be executed only through bank transfers. Transfers over BGN 20,000 for current international payments (imports of goods and services, transportation, interest and principal payments, insurance, training, medical treatment and other purposes defined by the Bulgarian regulations) must be supported by documentation showing the need and purpose of such payments.
Important notice: Please note that foreign currency more of than 4000 euros must be declared at customs offices on arrival. Failing to do so may result in confiscation. There is no limitation on the amount of money that you may bring with you, but they must be declared if they are more than 4000 Euros.
Customs
Common custom declarations and restrictions are applied for import and export of currency, food, alcohol and goods. There is a special custom regime for antiquarian objects, historic and cultural treasures, medicines, narcotics, weapons, ammunitions.
Alphabet
Cyrillic. Signs along international motorways, in airports and resorts are also spelled in Roman letters.
Phone and Internet
Local and international telephone services are covered through automatic street telephones operating with tokens and calling cards. Tokens for local calls (0.20 leva) and calling cards are available for purchase from post offices and some shops. Currently there are 3 mobile operators. Internet services are offered in Internet clubs and cafes in every town.
Important Telephone Numbers
Police 166
Fire brigade 160
Emergency medical aid 150
Directory inquiries 144
Road assistance 146
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TRAVEL GUIDE
