Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. Tourist facilities are widely available, but conditions of some facilities, infrastructure, and services may vary. Read the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Bulgaria for additional information on U.S.-Bulgaria relations.

Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Bulgaria, you may encounter road conditions that significantly differ from those in the United States. The Bulgarian road system is largely 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 certain agricultural seasons. Travel conditions deteriorate during winter as roads become icy and potholes proliferate. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia advises against driving at night because such road conditions are more dangerous in the dark. Some roads lack pavement markings and lights, and motorists often drive with dim or missing headlights.

Driving in Bulgaria is extremely dangerous. Aggressive driving habits, the lack of safe infrastructure, and a mixture of late model and old model cars on the country’s highways contribute to a high fatality rate in road accidents. Motorists should avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers in Bulgaria. Drivers are known to speed, swerve into oncoming traffic, go the wrong way on divided highways, and participate in other dangerous activities. Motorists should exercise caution and avoid altercations with the drivers of such vehicles, which may be driven by armed organized crime figures. In some cities, traffic lights late at night blink yellow in all directions, leaving the right-of-way unclear and contributing to frequent accidents.

Heavy truck traffic creates numerous hazards along the two-lane routes from the Greek border at Kulata going to Sofia, and from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo to Plovdiv. Motorists should expect long delays at border crossings. A U.S. state driver's license is only valid in Bulgaria when used in conjunction with an International Driving Permit. If pulled over by a police officer, you should be aware that under Bulgarian law, police officers may not collect fines on the spot, but they may confiscate your driver’s license depending upon the offense.

Right turns on red lights are not permitted. All drivers, regardless of the type of motor vehicle, must keep their lights on at all times no matter the time of day or weather. At unregulated crossings, the driver on the right has the legal right-of-way, but this rule is frequently ignored. The use of seat belts is mandatory in Bulgaria for all passengers, except pregnant women. Children under 10 years of age may ride in the front seat only if seated in a child car seat. Please visit European Commission site for latest information on speed limits, traffic fines and regulation.

Drivers may be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood level as low as 0.05 percent. The penalties for drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death range from a US $25 fine to life imprisonment. For specific information concerning Bulgarian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please visit the Bulgarian Embassy website.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Bulgaria’s national tourist office.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Bulgaria’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Bulgaria’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Safety and Security

Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union has enhanced the overall security environment for tourists and business travelers; however, violence related to criminal groups sporadically occurs in public locations.

Bulgaria is a NATO member and occupies a strategic position along a natural transit route for transnational terrorists trying to move by land in Europe. Bulgaria has not been immune from terrorist attacks. On July 18, 2012, Lebanese Hezbollah conducted a bombing against Israeli tourists in Burgas. The attack killed five Israelis and their Bulgarian bus driver, and injured 32 Israelis.

Bulgarians regularly hold demonstrations to protest or advocate specific causes; however, the dynamic and large anti-government protest movement from 2013 has largely disappeared in 2014. Protests, demonstrations, and rallies can form with little prior notice and have resulted in some minor injuries. Traffic disruptions in Bulgaria, particularly in city centers, have occurred as a result of demonstrations. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. Avoid demonstration areas if possible and exercise caution if traveling within the vicinity of any demonstrations. You should monitor media coverage to stay abreast of local events and should be aware of your surroundings at all times. All security messages are published on the Embassy Sofia website. Travelers should register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, mentioned below, to receive these messages as they are published. We also recommend becoming a fan of U.S. Embassy Sofia’s Facebook page and following us on Twitter under the handle @U.S.EmbassySofia for real-time updates.

There are several small political parties and organizations in the country with anti-American rhetoric. Most active are the ultra-nationalists from the political party “ATAKA”, the nationalists from the youth organization “BNS”, and followers of the “Skinheads” sub-culture. Most neo-Nazi and extreme right groups are associated with soccer fan clubs, and publicly demonstrate their associations during soccer games.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy Sofia on Facebook and Twitter, and visit U.S. Embassy Sofia’s website. 
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or at 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security. Here are some useful tips in our Traveler’s Checklist.

CRIME: Bulgaria is a welcoming country with few specific threats targeting U.S. citizens, businesses or organizations. ATM skimming, credit card fraud, and traffic incidents remain the most common threats to U.S. citizens traveling to Bulgaria. The majority of incidents involving U.S. citizens are monetary in nature, though incidents of racism, ethnic slurs, and harassment of African-Americans have occurred.

Pick-pocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences, especially in crowded markets, on shopping streets, and aboard the busiest tram and bus lines. Con artists operate on public transportation and in bus and train stations. Credit cards and ATMs should be used with caution. Be wary of people who approach you at an ATM and offer assistance. Do not give your PIN to anyone under any circumstances (see the Special Circumstances section below).

Travelers should be suspicious of "instant friends" and should also ask persons claiming to be government officials to provide identification.

We recommend that you immediately report any crimes to the police, as they have helped recover money and valuables in the past. To avoid becoming a victim of more serious crimes, use the same personal safety precautions that you would use in any large U.S. city. Police stations are supposed to provide translators for anyone who needs to report a crime. However, many police stations will require the victim to return at a later time or bring his/her own translator.

You should pay special attention to the drink prices at high-end bars and nightclubs. Travelers have been charged exorbitant prices, especially for champagne and hard alcohol. Bills have been as high as several thousand dollars for drinks, and in some establishments, the management may use force to secure payment.

Taxi drivers occasionally overcharge unwary travelers, particularly at Sofia Airport and the Central Train Station. We recommend that you use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield. The standard rates normally range between BGL 0.79 and 0.90 (approximately 52 U.S. cents at current exchange rates as of February 2015) per kilometer. You will be expected to pay the amount posted, so it is advisable to check the rates before entering the taxi. At the airport, there is a clearly marked exit within the arrival terminal that leads travelers to metered taxis at a fair rate and a booth to assist with obtaining taxi services. Finding reputable taxis at the Central Train Station is more difficult. We recommend that travelers inquire about the fare before entering a taxi and always account for all luggage, packages, and hand-carried items before paying and releasing a taxi. The likelihood of retrieving articles left behind in a taxi is remote.

Automobile theft is common, and very few vehicles are recovered. Four-wheel-drive vehicles and late-model European sedans are the most popular targets. Automobile break-ins are also common in residential areas or near parks, especially when valuables are left in plain sight. Residential burglaries are also a frequent occurrence. If you plan to reside in Bulgaria on a long-term basis, you should take measures to protect your home and consider installing window grilles, steel doors with well-functioning locks, and an alarm system.

Use caution when making credit card charges over the Internet to unfamiliar websites. Recent experience has shown that offers for merchandise and services may be scam artists posing as legitimate businesses. In many cases, the businesses do not exist.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the U.S. embassy. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport. 
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

You must also report a lost/stolen passport to Bulgarian immigration authorities located at 48, Maria Luisa in Sofia, or to the local police station if you are outside of the city.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency telephone line in Bulgaria is 112 for police, fire, or ambulance services.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.