State Department: Bulgaria - Consular Information Sheet, December 14, 1995

Bulgaria - Consular Information Sheet
December 14, 1995

Entry Requirements: For information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, tel.: (202) 483-5885 (main switchboard (202) 387-7969).

Medical Facilities: Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a very high standard, hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped and maintained at U.S. or West European levels. Basic medical supplies are widely available, but specialized treatments may not be. Visitors must pay cash for medical and health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Travelers have found that in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven to be useful. Further information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Crime Information: There has been a recent rise in street crime, much of which is directed against foreigners. Pickpocketing and purse snatching are frequent occurrences as is theft from automobiles, where thieves smash windows to remove valuables left in sight. There have been a number of incidents in which tourists have accepted offers of help from "friendly people" met by chance at the airport, bus stations or train stations and have been drugged or assaulted and robbed. Taxi drivers at Sofia airport are notoriously dishonest and refuse to run their meters. Travelers who insist upon a pre-agreed fare can avoid the more outrageous overcharging. 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.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. It provides information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad.

Currency Regulations: Bulgaria is largely a cash economy. Most shops, hotels and restaurants still do not accept travelers' checks or credit cards. Visitors can exchange money at change bureaus. People on the street who offer high rates of exchange are confidence tricksters intent on swindling the unwary traveler.

Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Persons convicted of possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are subject to imprisonment and fines.

Aviation Oversight: In November 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Bulgaria's civil aviation authority as being in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Bulgaria's carriers operating to and from the U.S. The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873.

Registration and Embassy Location: U.S. citizens may register in the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within Bulgaria. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, is located at 1 Suborna (formerly 1 A. Stamboliski Boulevard); telephone (359) (2) 88-48-01 to -05. The Consular Section of the Embassy is located at 1 Kapitan Andreev Street in Sofia; telephone (359) (2) 80-10-12.

No. 95-164

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated September 2, 1994 to reflect the change in the telephone number for the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section.