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Bulgaria Fact Sheet
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Bulgaria is a moderately developed European
nation undergoing significant economic changes. Tourist facilities are widely
available although conditions vary, and some facilities may not be up to Western
standards. Goods and services taken for granted in other European countries are
still not available in many areas of Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's Overall Rating. 5 Out of 5.
Bulgaria's Expense Level. 1 1/2 Out of 5.
 
Bulgaria's Crime Level. 1 1/2 Out of 5.
 
Bulgarian's Overall Friendliness. 2 Out of 5.
Bulgaria's Nightlife Rating. 4 1/2 Out of 5.
 
Visas: Nationals of some 30 countries - including the
USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and other EU countries - are
admitted without a visa for stays of less than 30 days. Alternatively, a 90-day
visa costs between US$30-60 depending on which country you apply from. Visitors
of most other nationalities are issued visas on a shifting fee scale depending
on the type of visa sought - transit, tourist or business.
Health risks: No particular risks, but you're advised to stick to private
clinics if you require medical treatment in Bulgaria.
Time: GMT/UTC plus two hours
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Currency: Bulgarian leva. Currency
Converter
Tourism: 8 million visitors annually
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. U.S. 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. Travelers
who intend to stay more than 30 days, or travelers using official or diplomatic
passports, must secure a Bulgarian visa from a Bulgarian embassy/consulate prior
to arrival. American citizens who intend to stay and live or work in Bulgaria
must obtain a special 30-day visa prior to arrival. Once in Bulgaria, this visa
facilitates application for a residence permit. Travelers 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 traveler 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.
CRIME INFORMATION: Petty street crime, much of which is directed
against foreigners or others who appear to have money, continues to be a
problem. Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially
in crowded markets and on shopping streets. Con artists operate on public
transportation and in bus and train stations. Travelers should be suspicious of
"instant friends" and should also require persons claiming to be
government officials to show identification. There have been numerous incidents
in which tourists have accepted offers of coffee or alcoholic beverages from
"friendly people" met by chance at the airport, bus stations, hotels
or train stations and have been drugged or assaulted and robbed. Travelers
should be wary of unfamiliar individuals who encourage them to drink or eat
products that may be tainted with strong tranquilizers (such as valium) that can
lead rapidly to unconsciousness.
Taxi drivers at Sofia Airport often overcharge unwary travelers. Travelers
who pre-negotiate a fare may avoid excessive payment. Taximeters are frequently
rigged to accrue charges faster than normal. Because incidents of pilferage of
checked baggage at Sofia Airport are common, travelers should not include items
of value in checked luggage. Automobile theft is also a frequent problem, with
four-wheel drive vehicles and late model European sedans the most popular
targets. Very few vehicles are recovered. Thieves also sometimes smash vehicle
windows to steal valuables left in sight. Potential travelers should also be
cautious about making credit card charges over the Internet as recent experience
has shown that some offers come from scam artists posing as legitimate
businesses. Travelers should also be careful about making credit card payments
to Bulgarian tour operators over the Internet before coming to Bulgaria, because
some entities listed there do not actually exist.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a
very high standard, most hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped and
maintained at U.S. or Western European levels. Basic medical supplies are widely
available, but specialized treatment may not be obtainable. Serious medical
problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United
States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect
immediate cash payment for health services.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Fair
The Bulgarian road system is 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 night driving 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.
The number of serious accidents and the death toll from them over the last
few years has remained high. In 1999, there were 7,586 serious accidents which
resulted in 1,047 deaths. In 2000, there were 6,886 accidents, in which 1,012
people were killed. In 2001, there were 6,709 serious road accidents with 1,011
fatalities.
Heavy truck traffic along the two-lane routes from the Greek border at Kulata
to Sofia and from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo 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. Persons operating vehicles with foreign
license plates frequently complain of being stopped by police and being fined on
the spot for offenses that they have not committed.
Buses, trams, and trolleys are inexpensive, but they are often crowded and of
widely varying quality. Passengers on the busiest lines have reported
pick-pocketing, purse-slashing, and pinching.
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 as
low as 0.05%. 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 $25 (US) fine up to imprisonment for life.
The most generally encountered local traffic custom is a driver flashing high
beams, which usually means that a traffic police post is ahead.
Motorists should avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers in Bulgaria.
Drivers of late-model sedans (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) are known to speed and drive
dangerously. Motorists should exercise caution and not engage in altercations
with the drivers of such vehicles because some are armed organized crime
figures.
In case of emergency, drivers should contact the police at telephone number
166 and/or the Roadside Assistance at telephone number 146. For an ambulance,
please call 150.
Full country name: Republic of Bulgaria
Area: 110,912 sq km
Population: 8.3 million
Capital city: Sofia (pop 1.1 million)
People: 85% Bulgarian, 8.5% Turkish, 2.6% Roma, 2.5% Macedonian
Language: Bulgarian. Turkish and Romany are spoken by minorities.
Religion: 85% Bulgarian Orthodox, 13% Muslim
Government: Democracy
Average Income: US$1510
Member of EU: no
Travel
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Visas: Most
nationals of EU countries are admitted without a visa for stays of less than 90
days. Nationals of some countries - including the USA, the UK, Australia, New
Zealand and Canada - are admitted without a visa for stays of less than 30 days.
Alternatively, a 90-day visa costs between
30.00
-
60.00
depending on the country where you apply. Visitors of most other nationalities
are issued visas on a shifting fee scale depending on the type of visa sought -
transit, tourist or business. Visitors must hold sufficient funds or
return/onward tickets, other documents required for final destination and valid
health insurance.
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