Travel Report for Bulgaria

Country Profile for
Bulgaria

TRAVEL REPORTS:

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TRAVEL REPORT

Last Updated: November 16, 2006 10:32 EST
Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:52 EST

Bulgaria

1.	INTRODUCTION
2.	ATTENTION
3.	SAFETY AND SECURITY
4.	LOCAL TRAVEL
5.	NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
6.	LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
7.	ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
8.	ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
9.	MONEY

10.	GENERAL INFORMATION
11.	TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
12.	ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
13.	RETURNING TO CANADA
14.	INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
15.	TRAVEL TIPS
16.	HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
17.	FOR MORE INFORMATION
18.	ANNEX

1. INTRODUCTION

Section 8 of this Travel Report has been updated.

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2. ATTENTION

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common and often perpetrated by children, particularly in Sofia and in the tourist resorts along the Black Sea coast. Do not show signs of affluence and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. Avoid unlit areas and underpasses. Travellers of non-white appearance may face some risk of racially-motivated attack by nationalist skinheads. In the capital Sofia the level of street and petty crime are relatively low compared to most European cities. Pickpocketing, mugging and bag-snatching are common around the railway station, the underpass near the Sheraton hotel and around tourist sites, and are often committed by Roma children.

Vehicle theft, particularly of prestige and four-wheel-drive vehicles, is frequent. Travellers should be aware that, if their vehicle is stolen while in Bulgaria, they will have to undertake payment of customs duties calculated to the vehicle's make and model before they are allowed to leave the country. Do not leave personal belongings in vehicles overnight. Hire a vehicle guard, even when parking at major hotels.

You should be aware that organized criminal groups are active in casinos, nightclubs, and prostitution. Violent crime, although rare, occurs, and includes bombings and shootouts. It is generally attributed to turf wars between rival mafia groups. Do not accept food or drink from strangers or casual acquaintances, as these may be drugged. Many tourists have been assaulted and robbed in that way.

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4. LOCAL TRAVEL

Poor road conditions and a lack of traffic signs and lane markings pose risks, especially in winter. Animal-drawn vehicles are common road hazards in rural areas. Carjackings are becoming more frequent, and criminals have been known to impersonate traffic officers in order to stop vehicles. Avoid driving after dark. Follow speed limits, and carry all car documents, such as ownership, registration, and a proof of Bulgarian car insurance. Police conduct frequent checks. In case of an emergency, police can be contacted at 166, roadside assistance at 146, and an ambulance at 150.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Bulgaria is located in a seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Canadian Embassy in Bucharest,

Romania

(see Section 7 below), in the event of an emergency.

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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Bulgaria have a treaty that permits a Canadian imprisoned in Bulgaria to request a transfer to Canada to serve the remainder of his sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Bulgarian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Visitors not staying in hotels must register with local police within 48 hours of arrival.

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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Bulgaria - SOFIA, Consulate of Canada
Address: 9 Moskovska Street, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Postal Address: Sofia, Bulgaria
Tel.: 359 (2) 969-9710
Fax: 359 (2) 981-6081
E-mail: consular@canada-bg.org

The Embassy of Canada in Bucharest, Romania, has consular responsibility for Bulgaria. The address is as follows:

Romania - BUCHAREST, Embassy of Canada
Address: 1-3 Tuberozelor Street, 011411 Bucharest, Sector 1, Romania
Postal Address: P.O. Box 270, Post Office No. 2, Bucharest, Romania
Tel.: 40 (21) 307-5000
Fax: 40 (21) 307-5010
E-mail: bucst@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.bucharest.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest, Romania, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.

Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Bulgaria is 00-800-1359, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.

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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Bulgarian authorities and was valid on September 1^st, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.

It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Bulgaria. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days)
Student Visa: Not required (for stays of less than 90 days)
Diplomatic visa: Required (for holders of diplomatic passports)
Official visa: Required (for holders of special passports)

Canadian travellers are not required to obtain visas for stays of less than 90 days. For longer stays, visas must be obtained prior to the trip from any Bulgarian diplomatic mission abroad. Extension delays beyond 90 days can also be obtained from local passport offices.

Upon arrival, all visitors must complete a customs declaration for currency and valuables. The declaration form must be stamped by Bulgarian customs and retained by the traveller for presentation upon departure. Failure to produce the form upon departure may result in delays and/or confiscation of any undeclared monies as well as possible prosecution.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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9. MONEY

The economy is primarily cash-based. The currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN). U.S. dollars and euros are accepted. Major hotels will accept foreign-currency traveller's cheques. The United Bulgarian Bank in Sofia can process money transfers from abroad. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide.

Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Republic of Bulgaria (capital: Sofia) is located in Eastern Europe, bordering Romania, the Black Sea, Turkey, Greece, Serbia and Macedonia. Tourist facilities are widely available, but conditions vary according to location and price. The official language is Bulgarian.

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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Current Issues on Avian Influenza.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

All foreign citizens must present evidence of medical insurance upon entry into the country.

Medical care is not up to Western standards. Shortages of prescription medicine are common outside major cities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

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13. RETURNING TO CANADA

Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.

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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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15. TRAVEL TIPS

Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.

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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION

N/A

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18. ANNEX

N/A

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