Travel advice for Bulgaria

Australia advises normal precautions for Bulgaria.

Take normal precautions; security is good. Guard cars against theft even in guarded parking, avoid night driving and secure belongings on night trains. Hospitals may not meet Austrian standards; private care requires upfront payment, and stray dogs in Sofia and large cities can spread rabies. Consider medical and evacuation insurance; Black Sea transfers may be delayed, photographing military or strategic sites is prohibited, and sexual-consent age limits may be higher.

Travel to Bulgaria is generally safe when usual precautions are taken. Hiking and mountaineering carry inherent dangers in remote, inaccessible mountain areas where advanced search and rescue is limited and investigations may be costly; authorities may be reluctant to help when travellers have not taken reasonable precautions. Prepare the route, weather forecast, guide, equipment and emergency contacts, carry suitable communications and backup power, and follow local safety instructions strictly.

Take normal precautions in Bulgaria. Watch for petty crime at stations and crowded areas, and for overcharging at Black Sea resorts, where security staff may threaten victims who dispute charges. Guard against vehicle theft, fraud and spiked food or drink, use extra care with ATMs in Sofia, Burgas and Varna. Avoid demonstrations, remain alert to terrorism and violent crime in casinos and nightclubs, and expect hazardous roads and transport disruptions.

Use normal precautions and remain alert. Bulgaria has had no recent terrorist attacks, but pickpocketing affects major cities and tourist resorts, while women face harassment and assault risks, especially in remote places after dark. Dangerous traffic, drink-spiking, payment-card and ATM scams, earthquakes, wildfires, heatwaves, floods and landslides are also risks; avoid night driving outside large cities and use authorised taxis, noting taxi robberies in Sunny Beach.

Take precautions and consult other countries’ travel information because Estonia has no embassy in Bulgaria. Be careful with documents, money and valuables in tourist areas, and check conditions at your destination because forest and landscape fires occur in summer. Ensure your driving licence and vehicle documents are valid, and follow rules on vignettes, speed limits, alcohol limits and parking. Carry valid travel documents for children too, and consider travel insurance.

Germany advises normal precautions for Bulgaria.

Hong Kong advises normal precautions for Bulgaria.

Hungary advises normal precautions in Bulgaria, rated a safe country with no terrorist threat. Watch for pickpocketing, theft, robbery, overcharging, taxi scams and car theft in seaside resorts and larger cities, especially overcharging at erotic entertainment venues, and safeguard valuables on the coast. Ensure documents are present at border crossings and report stolen or lost documents to police and the consulate. Temporary passports are issued only in Sofia, not Varna.

Use normal precautions when travelling to Bulgaria, which is generally safe and has low crime. The threat of terrorism is low, although indiscriminate attacks remain a global risk. Avoid protests and photographing them, and watch for pickpocketing, petty crime and scams, especially in Black Sea coastal resorts and transport hubs. Some taxi drivers overcharge, so use authorised taxis at Sofia Airport and check fares and meters.

Japan advises normal precautions for Bulgaria.

Take normal precautions in Bulgaria, as there is no acute terrorism threat, but remain alert in crowded places and follow local instructions. Guard against pickpocketing and theft, and avoid demonstrations, especially in Sofia. Wildfires can occur in dry periods, and strict drug, drink-driving and sex with minors rules carry severe penalties. LGBTQ+ travellers may face discrimination and aggression, so carry valid identification and comprehensive travel insurance.

No travel warning is in force; exercise normal precautions in Bulgaria. Petty crime, pickpocketing, credit-card fraud, overcharging and theft from vehicles or hotel rooms are risks; protect belongings, avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use metered taxis. Take care when driving, especially at night; expect strict penalties for drugs and drunken behaviour, and follow rules on face coverings and photographing some buildings. Ensure an e-vignette for toll roads.

Exercise usual precautions in Bulgaria. Take care at transport hubs in Sofia and where Jewish communities gather, and beware of pickpocketing in Sofia and Black Sea resorts, theft on public transport at night and theft from unsecured car parks. Tensions affect the Black Sea coast, and cargo ships in Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone are attacked by maritime and aerial drones. Driving is risky, and northern Bulgaria has no motorway links.

Take normal precautions when travelling to Bulgaria, but check that your passport meets Schengen validity rules and you can meet the 90-day visa-free limit. Border authorities may require proof of accommodation, insurance, onward travel and sufficient funds, and may deny entry for invalid documents. Overstaying can lead to a ban, and allow extra time for border controls and biometric checks when entering or leaving the Schengen area.

United States advises normal precautions for Bulgaria.