Passports/Visas

Holders of a British passport may enter Bulgaria for up to 30 days without holding a visa. For 30 days or longer, a visa is required.

A permit is required to work in Bulgaria; prospective employers must apply for permits from the local Labour Office.

Health advice/risks

No special precautions are normally necessary. The British Embassy in Sofia does not maintain a list of physicians to recommend to British nationals. British nationals who in an emergency are in need of a physician may ask their hotel's receptionist or their hosts to call a doctor from the respective district clinic (rayonna polyclinika).

If the case warrants, the doctor may call an ambulance which will take the patient to a hospital (in Sofia this is usually the Pirogov Institute for Emergency Medical Services).

In early 1979 a special institute was established at the Sofia Medical Academy - Institute for Treatment of Foreigners - where foreign patients must pay for any treatment received. This Medical Institute (now known as the State Faculty Hospital) provides medical assistance or treatments not requiring immediate emergency care. The Bulgarian Ministry of Public Health publishes a price list in Bulgarian leva but payment by foreigners must be in hard currency.

Information on health hazards, and precautions to take when travelling abroad can be found in the leaflet 'Health advice for travellers' available from main Post offices.

Health insurance

It is strongly advisable to take out Health Care Insurance to ensure that you will be repatriated in need. But, there are reciprocal healthcare agreements between Bulgaria and the UK (refer to the above mentioned leaflet for details).

Medical services
The following are the main hospitals:

SOFIA :

Pirogov Emergency Institute
21 Totleben Boulevard
Tel: +359 2 51531

State Faculty Hospital for Private Treatment of Foreigners
Akademik Evgeni Pavlovski
1 Complex Mladost
Tel: +359 2 74351

PLOVDIV :

1st City Hospital
59 Ivan Vassil Street
Tel: +359 32 224306/07/08

VARNA :

City Hospital
40 Saborna Boulevard
Tel: +359 52 223041

Drinking water

Water in the main towns is safe to drink.

Travel routes to Bulgaria

Air

Charter flights operate to Plovdiv (winter), Varna and Bourgas (summer) during the season. Hemus Air operate flights to Varna and Bourgas throughout the whole year.

Rail

There are no direct rail services between Bulgaria and western Europe; however, there are daily services to Belgrade, Bucharest and Budapest, Istanbul and Thessalonika. First class travel is strongly advised.

Travelling in Bulgaria

Air

Internal flights in Bulgaria are operated by Hemus (tel: 9818330. There are four/five flights each week from Sofia to Varna; three/ four to Bourgas.

Rail

There is over 6,000 km of railways, with rail services connecting all the main towns. Rail services in Bulgaria are of a good standard.

Taxis

The most convenient way to travel to the city centre from the airport is by taxi; however, foreign travellers should take care not to be over-charged by unscrupulous drivers. OK Supertrans (tel: 9732121 is a reliable taxi company that services the route from the airport to the city centre. Approximate cost - US$ 3 (day) US$ 4 (night) minimum.

Road

There is over 13,000 km of made-up roads. Roads linking the main centres, both industrial and tourist, are generally good.

Traffic travels on the right and international road signs are used. Speed limits of 50 kph (31 mph) are imposed in most towns. There is a maximum speed limit for the rest of the country of 80 kph (50 mph), and 120 kph (75 mph) on motorways. Motorists should keep a constant lookout for unmarked road hazards. Although foreign driving licences are generally accepted for short visits, it is recommended that international driving licences be obtained.

Bulgaria became a member of the Green Card Bureau in May 1972 and car insurance Green Cards are accepted. Petrol stations are staged on the main roads between large towns but motorists should not let their fuel supply fall low. Petrol of 96 octane (Super) is usually available but not at every station. Unleaded petrol is available at almost every station. Air pumps are seldom available. Petrol stations do not undertake repairs and maintenance; service centres carry these out. As spares for Western cars are sometimes hard to find, these repairs are likely to be of an improvised nature and visitors are advised to take tools and spares for minor repairs with them.

Emergency roadside assistance can be obtained from Putna Pomosht (approximate equivalent of AA/RAC) which can be contacted by telephoning 146 in any district centre. In the case of a serious accident in Sofia, telephone 51531: the Pirogov Emergency Institute.

It is a serious offence to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.

Hotels

There are hotels catering for business visitors in Sofia and all main towns. Bookings should be made well in advance. The rates given here are those applicable at December 1999. However, visitors are reminded that hotel tariffs are subject to alteration at any time and are advised to enquire for up-to-date rates when booking. A cancellation fee is charged on any hotel bookings which are not taken up, and for this and other reasons the British Embassy regret that they are not able to make bookings on behalf of visiting British representatives.

Restaurants

There are many good quality restaurants in Sofia and throughout Bulgaria, serving both local and international cuisine. Many restaurants have menus in English. Eating out is not expensive by western European standards. For best advice on where to eat in Sofia, consult one of the local English guides, such as the monthly " Sofia City".

Tipping

In hotels and restaurants, service charges are generally not added at present to customers' bills, but are left to personal discretion. Tips are happily received by taxi drivers, hotel porters etc. A tip is often demanded by cloakroom attendants and airport porters.

Electricity supply

The voltage is 220 volts AC (50 cycles). Plug fittings are the round two-pin continental type; lamp fittings are of the screw type

Hours of business

Bulgarians work a 40-hour week with businesses opening around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. and closing around 5.30 or 6.00 p.m.

Commercial offices and Ministries
08.45 or 09.00-12.30 and 13.00-17.30 or 18.00 Monday to Friday.

National Bank and Foreign Trade Bank
08.00-12.00 Monday to Friday.

As in the rest of Europe, business activity grinds to a near halt during the latter part of July and most of August when many Bulgarians take their extended summer holidays.

Social etiquette

It is useful to remember that a nod of the head sometimes means No and a shake of the head Yes. Bulgarians are naturally hospitable people and typically informal.

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