Bulgaria

Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common. Be careful:

• at tourist sites
• in crowded markets
• on shopping streets
• on trams and buses and at major transport hubs

Car theft is common, even at petrol stations. Make sure to lock your car when going inside to pay for petrol. Only some owners get their vehicles back.

Car break-ins are also common, especially when valuables are easily visible. Park in a secure car park wherever possible.

To protect yourself from crime:

• keep your belongings close, particularly in crowded areas
• securely carry an original form of valid photo ID (such as in a protected travel pouch)
• don't take valuables to the beach
• hold bags and backpacks in front of you
• when driving or parking your car, make sure any valuables are out of sight
• There have also been burglaries from hotel rooms and short term rental accommodation. Make sure you lock your room (including windows and balcony doors) and keep valuables locked in a safe.

Violent crime can happen, including:

• bombings
• shootouts
• turf wars between rival gangs

Organised crime groups are active in casinos, nightclubs and the sex industry.

Watch out for drink spiking, especially at popular night spots. Never leave your food or drinks unattended. Don't accept food, drinks, gum, or cigarettes from strangers.

More information:

• Avoiding sexual assault overseas

Cyber Security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Scams and fraud

ATM skimming and credit card fraud are common. Internet fraud also happens.

To protect your credit and ATM cards:

• use ATMs within banks, shops and shopping centres
• check ATMs for skimming devices before using them
• don't use ATMs that look like they've been tampered with
• be aware of any people who approach you at an ATM
• always keep your credit card in sight
• be wary if asked to re-enter your PIN
• be aware of internet scams

More information:

• Scams

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s an attack, leave the area as soon as it's safe to do so.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Protests, rallies and other demonstrations can occur without warning. 

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent. Injuries sometimes occur.

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Bulgaria experiences natural disasters and severe weather, such as:

• earthquakes
• avalanches
• landslides
• flooding
• wildfires
• heavy snowfall

Large earthquakes are rare, but earth tremors are common.

Extreme weather can cause landslides and flooding. During the winter months, storms and heavy snowfall are common. Avalanches may happen in mountain regions, including at popular ski resorts, especially when warm temperatures follow a harsh winter.

From June to October, there are regular alerts for wildfires. Large-scale and fast-spreading fires in forests and fields are becoming more frequent. Heat waves and dry conditions contribute to the danger of fire.

Get updates from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology.

Take official warnings seriously. Follow the advice from local authorities.

If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:

• secure your passport in a safe place
• keep in touch with family and friends
• monitor the media, other local sources and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

You may need to show proof of travel insurance in Bulgaria at the port of entry.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medications available over the counter or by prescription in Australia are available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Bulgaria. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

Stray dogs

Stray dogs roam city streets, often in packs. Dogs can be vicious, and attacks are common. Don't approach stray dogs and seek medical advice immediately if bitten.

Rabies

Rabies may be present in wild animals.

If an animal scratches or bites you, seek immediate medical help. If you're going to work with wildlife in Bulgaria, your doctor may recommend getting the rabies vaccine before you travel.

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk, especially if you travel through forested areas.

Ticks are common in country areas from April to October.

Insect bite prevention

 To reduce the risk of getting infected from an insect bite:

• Use insect repellent
• Cover up with light-coloured, long sleeved and loose clothes
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed
• Avoid peak activity times, dawn and dusk

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are present. 

They include:

• trichinellosis
• tuberculosis
• typhoid
• measles
• hepatitis
• west nile virus
• COVID-19

To protect yourself from illness:

• in rural areas, drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid wild game food
• practice good hygiene (washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces)
• Get medical help if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Healthcare standards are well below those in Australia. Medical supplies are limited, particularly outside major cities. Staff rarely speak English.

Several private medical clinics and hospitals in Sofia and other major cities are well-equipped and well-staffed. However, treatment can be expensive. You may also need to pay doctors up-front.

Tourists have reported instances of being overcharged in private clinics in tourist resorts. If you plan to use private medical services (including ambulances), agree on a price with the provider before using the service. 

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may be evacuated to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

It's a legal requirement to have a form of valid photo ID with you at all times. 

Drunk and disorderly behaviour can result in police issuing an arrest or fine. This includes loud and disruptive behaviour or urination in public places. 

Covering your face in public is illegal, including wearing a balaclava, full veil or anything else that hides your face. Failure to comply can result in arrest and heavy fines. This doesn't apply to wearing a face mask to protect from airborne disease. 

It's also illegal to:

• drive with a blood alcohol reading of 0.05% or higher
• refuse to take a breathalyser test
• smoke in any enclosed public place
• take photos of military sites or other secure places

It's also illegal to:

• have sex with a child (under 18 years of age)
• view or distribute child pornography

Drugs

Penalties for possessing or trafficking drugs be severe. They can include heavy fines and prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying and using drugs

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Bulgaria recognises dual nationality.

If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can provide if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Same-sex relationships are legal but aren't widely accepted. Outside the capital Sofia, attitudes are generally more conservative.

There have been incidents of discrimination, verbal abuse and vandalism targeting LGBT+ people.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

You don't need a visa to enter as a tourist for up to 90 days. You'll need a visa for other types of travel.

Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen area on 31 March. Border checks have ceased for air and sea arrivals from other Schengen countries, but checks continue to be conducted at land borders.

If you're travelling without a visa, ensure your entire visit to the Schengen area, including your stay in Bulgaria, is within the 90-day limit. This applies to all arrivals (air, land and sea).

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate for details about visas, customs and quarantine rules.

More information:

• Official Tourism Portal of Bulgaria
• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area has been delayed until 2025. A specific start date hasn't been announced.

The EES is a digital border system that registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen Area. When entering the Schengen Area, you'll need to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details. Passports will no longer be stamped.

You'll need to do this on your first visit to the EU after the EES is introduced.​ If you visit the Schengen Area again within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

This process should only take a few minutes per person, however you may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Bulgaria for the latest details on entry requirements before you travel.

Children under 18 years of age, including dual nationals, may only leave Bulgaria:

• if both parents accompany them or
• if they have consent from both parents

A Bulgarian notary must certify any parental consent.

If you're a single parent, ensure your child meets entry and exit rules.

More information:

• Embassy of Bulgaria in Australia
• Advice for people travelling with children

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• LGBTQIA+ travellers 

Currency

The currency of Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN).

If you're travelling between Bulgaria and any non-EU country, you must declare amounts over 10,000 euros or equivalent on both arrival and departure. This applies to all forms of currency, not only cash.

You'll need to pay a fine if you don't declare or give incorrect information.

You don't need to declare cash if travelling to or from another EU country.

Access to money

Bulgaria is mostly a cash economy, particularly outside of Sofia, although credit and debit card use is increasing.

Exchange money in banks, large hotels or exchange bureaus. Avoid unofficial or street sellers.

Carry your passport when you cross borders, even within the Schengen area.

Check with local authorities and transport providers for the latest information on entry and exit changes and delays.

Driving permit

To drive in Bulgaria, you'll need:

• an International Driving Permit (IDP) and, 
• your current Australian driver's licence (digital driver's licences may not be accepted)

Your travel and vehicle insurance might be void if you don't have an IDP.

Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

When hiring a car, keep a copy of the original contract from the car hire company with you. If you're travelling across a land border into Bulgaria with a hire car, the contract should make clear that the vehicle can travel into Bulgaria.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Road travel

Major city streets and intercity highways are generally in good condition.

Driving on rural and secondary roads is hazardous due to the following:

• poor maintenance and lighting
• narrow roads
• poor driving standards
• wandering livestock and horse-drawn carts
• rockslides and landslides on roads in the mountains

Police strictly enforce traffic laws and conduct frequent checks. These include radar speed checks.

Depending on the offence, they may collect on-the-spot fines or confiscate your licence.

If you drive in Bulgaria:

• keep your headlights on, even during the day
• use winter tyres from November to March
• carry a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and warning triangle in your vehicle

When travelling on motorways and outer city main roads, you'll get a fine if you don't have a valid digital vignette (a permit form of toll for using the road network in Bulgaria). A vignette can be purchased online. You don't need to print it. Authorities accept electronic evidence.

Major works are taking place on the Danube Bridge (the Friendship Bridge), which connects Bulgaria with Romania. During the works, road traffic will be limited to a single lane with a traffic light system. If you plan to travel across this bridge into Romania, plan extra time as delays are expected.

More information:

• BG Toll
• Driving or riding
• Travel insurance

Motorcycles

Ask your travel insurer whether your policy covers using a motorcycle, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Use only authorised taxi and limousine services. Try to arrange these through your hotel. Uber is not available in Bulgaria.

Don't hail taxis on the street. Use taxis with meters that display clear rates.

Taxi drivers may overcharge, particularly at airports and train stations.

You can find companies offering metered taxi services inside Sofia Airport.

Quad biking

Quad biking is considered an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death. Not all travel insurance covers quad biking. Ensure you pay attention to the small print and exclusions on your travel insurance policy.

Public transport

Keep your belongings close on public transport, as petty crime happens.

The train system is poor by European standards. There have been several fires on trains.

Accessible public transport is available in Sofia and other large cities. However, it's limited in some parts of Bulgaria.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Bulgaria's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 112.

Medical emergencies

Call 112 or go to a hospital.

Police

Call 112 or go to the local police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

English-speaking operators are available.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia has a consulate in Sofia, headed by an Honorary Consul.

The consulate provides limited consular services but can’t issue emergency passports or perform notarial acts.

Get in contact before you visit.

Australian Consulate, Sofia

Corpus B, Floor 8, Office 808
Interpred WTC Sofia Building
Blvd Dragan Tsankov 36, Sofia 1113 Bulgaria
Email: auconsulate.sofia@gmail.com 

You can access full consular and passport services from the Australian Embassy in Athens.

Australian Embassy, Athens

Level 2
5 Hatziyianni Mexi Street
Athens 11528 
Greece
Phone: +30 210 870 4000 
Email: consular.athens@dfat.gov.au 
Website: greece.embassy.gov.au 
Facebook: Australia in Greece
X: AusAmbAthens

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia