Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Bulgaria, you are subject to its laws and regulations. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Bulgarian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Bulgaria are severe; convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Bulgaria, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in Bulgaria, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are some things that might be legal in Bulgaria, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with minors or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Such activities are illegal in Bulgaria as well. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and, if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Bulgarian law enforcement authorities may take you in for questioning if you do not have your passport, U.S. passport card, or long-term residence card with you, or if you take pictures of certain buildings. It is very important to know what is legal and what is illegal wherever you go.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. Due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity, credit cards should be used sparingly and with extreme caution. Skimming devices, surreptitiously attached to ATMs by criminals, are used to capture cards and PINs for later criminal use, including unauthorized charges or withdrawals, and are common in Bulgaria. If you choose to use credit cards, we recommend you use ATMs located in banks or malls as opposed to the more vulnerable locations on the street. You should check your account status regularly to ensure its integrity. In connection with such scams, be extremely wary of friendly bystanders near ATMs who offer assistance. Any time a card is not returned, you should immediately report the card as lost/stolen to the card-issuing company.

You may exchange cash at banks or exchange bureaus, but should know that exchange bureaus sometimes post misleading rate quotations that confuse travelers. People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are usually con artists intent on swindling unwary travelers.

Damaged or worn U.S. dollar bank notes are often rejected at banks or exchange bureaus.

Major branches of the following Bulgarian banks will cash travelers’ checks on the spot for Leva, the Bulgarian currency, or another desired currency: Unicredit Bulbank, Bulgarian Postbank, First Investment Bank, and United Bulgarian Bank (UBB). UBB also serves as a Western Union agent and provides direct transfer of money. There are many Western Union branches in major towns and cities. Most shops, hotels, and restaurants, with the exception of the major hotels, do not accept travelers’ checks or credit cards. Only some local banks can cash U.S. Treasury checks and the payee may need to wait up to a month to receive funds.

Corruption remains an important concern of the Bulgarian government. The Commission for Coordinating of the Activity for Combating Corruption manages the efforts of each government agency’s internal inspectorate in fighting public corruption and engages in public awareness campaigns. Complaints of public corruption can be made by e-mail to the Ministry of Justice at anticorruption@justice.government.bg or by phone to +359 2 987 0697. All grievances must be made in Bulgarian.

If you are planning to import an automobile to Bulgaria, be aware that customs duties on personal automobiles can be high. Also, all documents must be originals or certified copies containing an apostille.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review the US Department of State’s travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are stigmatized by society in Bulgaria. While LGBT individuals are protected by the anti-discrimination law, hate speech and labor discrimination based on sexual orientation are not considered criminal offenses. There are no legal or governmental impediments to the organization of LGBT events; however, in the past, some marchers were attacked upon leaving Pride events. Additionally, in 2013 the scheduled pride parade was postponed due to police concerns that they could not effectively protect marchers, partly due to ongoing anti-government protests. The 2014 Pride parade occurred as scheduled.

LGBT couples do not have the same legal protections as heterosexual couples, and societal discrimination against LGBT individuals is widespread outside of larger cities. While violence against LGBT persons is rare, in general, public displays of affection should be avoided throughout Bulgaria. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Bulgaria, you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on LGBT travel, please read the US Department of State’s LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Bulgaria, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Local law requires improved access to buildings for persons with disabilities, and new public projects take this requirement into account; however, this law is rarely enforced in older buildings. Bulgarian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of other state services. In practice, however, the government does not effectively enforce these provisions. Societal discrimination persists against persons with disabilities.

Public transportation and general commuting in Sofia and the rest of Bulgaria is nearly impossible for disabled individuals. Buses, trams, and trolleys are generally old, extremely crowded, and lack facilities for disabled travelers. Some newer vehicles claim to have access for disabled individuals, but in practice, access is extremely limited and disabled travelers must rely on fellow passengers to help them on and off the vehicles. The Sofia metro is the most accessible system for disabled individuals, but its reach is limited. Disabled travelers should consider traveling with a friend or family member who can assist them in navigating the transportation systems in Bulgaria.