Travel to Bulgaria – Top Medical Schools

Bulgaria entry and exit regulations

Formalities, visas

For citizens of the EU, a valid identity card or passport is sufficient.

Issuing of visas in Germany:

Embassy of Bulgaria

Mauerstr. 11

10117 Berlin

Tel: +49 (0) 30 – 2100922

Fax: +49 (0) 30 – 2086838

Issuing visas in Austria and Switzerland: See under Representations of Bulgaria in Austria and Representations of Bulgaria in Switzerland.

Import and export of foreign currency

The import and export of foreign currency and the Bulgarian national currency is free up to an amount of 8,000 Leva. Higher sums must be declared. In case of disregard, the entire amount can be collected by the Bulgarian state.

Import and export of goods

The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties. For coins with archaeological, historical or numismatic value and objects under monument protection, an export certificate from the Ministry of Culture must be presented.

Traveling with pets

For the owners of dogs and other animals, when traveling abroad, the question often arises whether they can even take their animals with them to the chosen travel destination, and if that is possible, the question then arises as to the respective applicable conditions. Here with us you will find all the important information on this topic, seriously researched at the embassies, the ADAC or the Foreign Office. The regulations apply to entry from Germany, Austria, Switzerland (since it is not an EU country only to a limited extent) and numerous other countries:

When entering Bulgaria with animals, please note that the animal owner must present a certificate of identification, vaccination status and anti-parasitic treatment for the animal. In addition, a certificate confirmed by the official veterinarian is required, which provides information about the origin and health of the animal. This certificate must be written in Bulgarian and must not be older than ten days. Further information that this certificate must contain is the name of the exporting country, the number of animals imported, identification by means of a tattoo or chip, breed, color, gender, special characteristics, birthday and place of birth as well as the name and address of the owner and his travel destination.

A leash and muzzle must be carried for dogs. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies and distemper and have had treatment against tapeworms, which must be noted by the medical officer in the vaccination certificate and which must not be older than 60 days. Cats must be vaccinated against rabies and cat disease and, like dogs, have had a tapeworm treatment, which in cats must not be older than 60 days. With the respective vaccinations, it should be noted that the rabies vaccination must be at least 60 days old, but not older than twelve months. In addition, entry with animals is only permitted if no case of rabies has occurred in the country of origin in the last six months.

If these conditions are all met, the animal can enter the country with its owners immediately; a quarantine is then no longer necessary.

Pets in the airplane

When transporting pets in airplanes there is the possibility that the animal flies together with an accompanying person (owner) or without such a person.

Animal transport with an accompanying person (owner):

In this case, proceed as follows: At the airport, the animal is locked in a transport crate previously obtained by the owner. It must be ensured that the container is large enough that the animal can stand in it and turn around, and it must also be ensured that no liquids can run out (urine). This is done using suitable absorbent material, in the simplest case using a sufficient amount of newspaper. There should also be a water bowl and, depending on the length of the flight, enough food. The transport container is handed over to the staff at the check-in counter. The transport fee depends on the weight of the animal. It is essential to ensure that there is space for the animal for the flight booked, as the number of animals that can be transported is limited. The animal is located in the machine in an air-conditioned area between the passenger deck and the cargo area. As a rule, no member of the crew takes care of the animal during the flight, for example by giving it water. However, experience has shown that the stress of checking in and the take-off phase is so stressful for most animals that they sleep for most of the flight. The administration of sedatives before check-in is not only not recommended, as their effects cannot be foreseen under these conditions, but is even prohibited for reasons of security (smuggling). Many airlines also exclude a number of dogs (attack dogs) from transport.

Animal transport without an accompanying person:

In this case, a specialist company must be commissioned with the transport, which then takes care of everything else. However, it should be ensured that the animal is picked up at the arrival airport by a trusted person. And of course all import regulations for pets for the country have to be explored beforehand and strictly adhered to.

Note

It has proven to be very helpful if you have accustomed the animal to such a transport container at home a few weeks before the intended flight.

Bulgaria, arrival and transport

How to get to Bulgaria

The fastest way to get to Bulgaria is by plane, but you can also travel to Bulgaria by train, bus and car. You can also get into the country by ship across the Danube. There are direct flights from Germany to Sofia, the international airport, from Berlin, Leipzig, Munich and Frankfurt. There are charter flights to the Black Sea coast.

Travel in the country

Air connections Domestic connections exist with the airline Balkan from Sofia to Varna and Burgas.

Rail

The rail network is relatively well developed. However, the trains run rather slowly. Special express trains connect Sofia with Varna and Burgas.

Bus

Almost all cities and towns have a bus connection that is adapted to the regional transport system.

Roads

A dense road network runs through the country. Motorways and federal highways connect the big cities with one another.

Rental

cars You can rent a car at airports, tourist resorts and large hotels.

Ferry

connections Ferry connections to and from Bulgaria exist from Ukraine, Georgia and Turkey.

Traffic rules

As is known, right-hand traffic prevails in Bulgaria. In order to avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in the country concerned.

Maximum speeds

In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits marked by signs must also be strictly observed.

Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h.
Country roads: there is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads.
Motorways: there is a speed limit of 120 km/h on motorways.

Blood alcohol

limit In Bulgaria there is a limit of 0.5 alcohol for drivers of motor vehicles.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Bulgaria is:

Tourist office

Bulgarian State Agency For Tourism

1, Sveta Nedelya Sqr.

1040 Sofia

Tel: 00359 – (0) 2 – 933 58 45

Fax: 00359 – (0) 2 – 989 69 39

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.bulgariatravel.org

Tourist Office of Bulgaria in Germany

Eckenheimer Landstrasse 101

60138 Frankfurt

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 29 52 84

Fax: 0049 – (0) 69 – 29 52 86

Web: www.bulgariatravel.org

Bulgaria, travel medicine and warnings

In the event of accidents, acts of violence or illness, good medical care is often life-saving, but at least it is of crucial importance for the course of the disease and the subsequent prognosis.

Infectious Diseases

In Bulgaria, the following infectious diseases, which are not or less widespread in Germany or Central and Northern Europe, are to be expected:

Lyme disease, as a result of tick bites
Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who can come into contact with contaminated water or contaminated food.
Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria.
Early summer meningo encephalitis (FMSE), especially as a result of tick bites
Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only to be expected in people who can come into contact with blood or in those who seek sexual contact.

Vaccination recommendations

When traveling to Bulgaria, no vaccinations are recommended, including those common in Austria, Switzerland or Germany:

Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.
Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
Typhoid, but only in travelers who may come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Hazards and current warning notices

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizens’ Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de

Bulgaria: Currency and Shopping

The national currency of is the lev = 100 stotinki.

The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:

100 leva
50
20th
10
5
2
1 lev

Coins are in circulation in the following amounts:

50 stotinki
20th
10
5
2
1 stotinka

Conversion rate

You can find a currency converter here:

www3.forium.de

Bank opening times

Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: closed

Shop

Shop opening times

The opening times are not always the same. Some shops are also open until 8:00 p.m.

Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed

Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs

Bulgarian ceramics, embroidery and wood carvings are nice souvenirs. In addition, very beautiful icons are made in Bulgaria. Bulgarian rose oil and spirits are also special souvenirs.

Bulgaria: embassies, consulates

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Bulgaria embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Bulgaria in Germany

The embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria is located on the corner of Mauerstrasse and Leipziger Strasse. During the GDR era, the embassy of what was then the People’s Republic of Bulgaria was housed in the Villa Garbáty in Pankow – the former residence of the cigarette manufacturer Josef Garbáty. Until 1990 the villa served as the residence of the Bulgarian ambassador to the GDR.

The new building of the embassy was completed in 1983 and Bulgaria then moved into it as the embassy building. The sculpture shown with the name “Break through walls” from November 2006 in front of the embassy was made by the Bulgarian artist Georgi Tschapkanow (born 1943) and is intended to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Embassy in Berlin

Mauerstr. 11

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 2 01 09 22/-23/-24/-25/-26

www.mfa.bg/de/24/

[email protected]

Honorary Consulate General in Hamburg

Alstertor 15

20095 Hamburg

Tel: 0049 – (0) 40 – 410 35 12

Consulate General in Munich

Walhallastraße 7