Bulgaria : Formalities and administrative procedures

Bulgaria : Organize your stay

Money Bulgaria

The Bulgarian currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN, plural: leva). The lev consists of 100 stotinki (cents). The coins available are 1, 2, 5 (yellow coins), 10, 20, 50 stotinki (white coins) and 1 lev in coin form. The available banknotes are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 leva.

The exchange rate of the lev is indexed to the euro. 1 BGN = 0,51 €; 1 € = 1,96 BGN. So, when you see the prices displayed in lev, it is almost enough to divide by two to know the amount in euros and conversely, multiply by two the levas to have the euros.

Budget & Tips Bulgaria

For everyday consumer goods, food, clothing, everyday objects, prices are about half of what they are in France. A loaf of bread costs about 50 stotinki, a restaurant meal about 10 leva, a kilo of fruit 1 lev, a kebab 2-3 leva, a bottle of wine between 2 and 12 leva, a box of shampoo 2-3 leva. The price of gasoline, obviously variable according to the situation, is lower than in France (about 2.10 leva per liter). On the other hand, products imported from the West, such as household appliances or hi-fi, can be much more expensive than in their country of production, as well as many imported products. For the traveler, therefore, the purchasing power is high. However, in recent years, prices have increased significantly. In the city and in the tourist areas, this is clearly noticeable.

In restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of 10 to 15% of the bill to the waiter, even if the service is included.

Passport and visas Bulgaria

Bulgaria is part of the European Union, but not yet part of the Schengen area. However, as a European or Swiss citizen, a valid national identity card or passport is sufficient to enter and stay in Bulgaria without time limit.

Driver's license Bulgaria

Your French driving licence is enough to drive on Bulgarian roads. On Bulgarian territory, you are of course subject to the Bulgarian highway code.

Health Bulgaria

Tap water is drinkable, and in the mountains, Bulgarians drink directly from fountains.

Remember to ask your CPAM for a free European insurance card in order to benefit from free care in case of hospitalization. Go to www.ameli.fr to obtain it (to be requested 15 days before departure). The card is valid for two years.

Mandatory vaccination Bulgaria

No vaccinations are required to travel to Bulgaria, but it is safer to be up to date with your vaccinations.

Security Bulgaria

The country is relatively safe. However, small pickpockets exist as everywhere in the tourist places. Be careful with your wallet, cameras and video cameras. As far as cars are concerned, it is preferable to park in paid and supervised parking lots. Never leave valuables in a parked car.

Be careful on the outskirts of the cities with the "invisible borders" of the neighborhoods where you should not enter, especially the Roma mahala. Entering these ghettoized territories can be perceived as an aggression and it is better not to find yourself in this situation. If you see a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city that contrasts sharply with the surrounding area, often made up of alleys with low, closely spaced houses, with no public organization, with the appearance of a shantytown - there are often even "guards" at the entrance to these neighborhoods - preferably leave it alone.

For the latest information on security in the country, consult the "Advice to Travelers" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.

Time difference Bulgaria

Bulgaria is on the GMT+2 time zone, one hour more than in France. So when it is 2pm in France, it is 3pm in Bulgaria. The time change in summer and winter is done at the same time.

Spoken languages Bulgaria

The main language is Bulgarian, but depending on the region (if your ear recognizes it), you will hear Turkish, Macedonian or Greek. Concerning English, it is more the younger generations who speak it, especially in the cities; the older ones understand Russian very well. Don't panic though, most of the hotel staff and the staff of the main restaurants in town will speak English to you when you order. Moreover, an English map is usually provided for these restaurants. If not, pictures on the menu can help. Hotel websites often have an English version, usually a Russian version, sometimes a Turkish or German version, but don't dream: almost never a French version. An automatic translator will be useful!

Communication Bulgaria

The telephone network is well covered, as is 4G. Fiber optics is the rule in town. Except in some remote mountain areas, you should not have any communication problems.

Electricity and measurements Bulgaria

The electrical outlets are the same as in France, as is the metric system. No need to take an adapter with you.

Luggage Bulgaria

It depends on the season you plan to visit Bulgaria. Summer is very hot and dry, with little wind (except for the coast, which is a bit more exposed), and light clothing is a must. Winter, on the other hand, is quite cold, with gusts of wind and snowfall from mid-December. Be sure to bring warm clothes so that you don't have to buy them on the spot.

Bulgaria : Daily life

Hello? Bulgaria

To call from Bulgaria to France, dial +33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0. To call from France to Bulgaria, dial +359, then the number of your correspondent, omitting the initial 0.

To call within the country, dial the entire phone number, without forgetting the initial 0 that Bulgarians sometimes forget to note.

Since June 2017, thanks to the new European legislation, you can call with your French number without extra cost out of the package.

Accessibility Bulgaria

Except in Sofia, facilities for people with disabilities are unfortunately not very developed.

Health Bulgaria

In general, the health quality is good. In case of problems, you will find hospitals in most cities. Otherwise, call the Samu (115).

Before leaving, get the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) by requesting it directly online on your Ameli account or at your health insurance office. It is free and covers your medical expenses in the European Union.

For any consultation, you will have to pay a fee of 2.90 leva. In pharmacies, you will generally have to pay in advance, some of which will be reimbursed when you return to France - check with your CPAM. If your stay is short, it is better to wait for any dental care.

Consult the website of the French Embassy in Sofia (www.bg.ambafrance.org/Sante-informations-generales) for a list of reliable doctors. Some of them speak French.

Emergency numbers Bulgaria

To contact the Samu, dial 150 or 112 (European emergency number).

Securty Bulgaria

In case of problems, contact the police at 166 or dial 112.

LGBTQ Bulgaria

There is a small but shy homosexual scene in Sofia (notably with the Gay Pride every year in June), as well as in Varna, Plovdiv or Bourgas. Outside of these large urban centers, and even within them, Bulgarian society still holds traditional and patriarchal values, and if you are openly gay, you may be confronted with rejection.

Embassies and consulates Bulgaria

For any problem, contact the French Embassy or Consulate in Sofia at 27-29 Oborichté Street (www.bg.ambafrance.org - +359 965 11 00 or +359 887 52 26 44, the emergency number for nights, weekends and holidays - [email protected] - [email protected]).

Mail Bulgaria

To send a postcard from Bulgaria, you will need to stamp it with a 2.70 leva stamp purchased at a post office; there are post offices everywhere in Bulgaria, open during the week and sometimes on Saturday mornings, as is the case in Sofia. The delivery time to France varies between one and two weeks.

Local media Bulgaria

All local media are in Bulgarian. What should interest you: music radios (BG Radio, Radio 1, NRJ, Radio Melody) as well as local radios. For information in French, you should visit the site of the Courrier des Balkans (www.courrierdesbalkans.fr), the best, but also Bulgaria France (www.bulgaria-france.net), which provides general information and some news.