Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Bulgaria depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for BulgariaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 112
Currency
- Name
- Bulgarian Lev
- Code
- BGN
- Symbol
- lv
Pegged to the Euro at 1.96:1. ATMs widely available. Cards accepted in Sofia and tourist areas. Cash preferred in rural areas. Excellent value — one of the least expensive EU countries for tourists.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type F
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2) — EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Best Time to Visit
May–June and September–October are ideal for Sofia, Plovdiv (European Capital of Culture 2019, with an extraordinarily preserved Roman amphitheatre), the Rhodope Mountains, and the Valley of Roses (rose harvest festival in June). July–August is peak Black Sea coast season (Varna, Burgas). Bansko (ski) is best December–March.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Modest dress at Rila Monastery and other Orthodox churches
Social Etiquette
- Bulgaria nods for 'no' and shakes the head for 'yes' — the opposite of almost every other culture; be careful not to be misled
- Rila Monastery (UNESCO) in the Rila Mountains is the spiritual heart of Bulgaria — one of the most beautiful religious complexes in Europe
- The Valley of Roses (Kazanlak area) produces 85% of the world's rose oil — the rose harvest (May/June) is a uniquely beautiful festival
- Sofia contains 7,000 years of continuous civilisation — Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, and Byzantine churches are literally side by side
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ rights: same-sex activity not criminalised; no marriage equality; social attitudes conservative
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Bulgarian) | Zdraveyte / Zdrasti | zdrah-VEY-teh (formal) / ZDRAH-stee (informal) |
| Thank you (Bulgarian) | Blagodarya | blah-goh-dah-RYAH |
| Yes (Bulgarian — but SHAKES HEAD) | Da | DAH — yes — but Bulgarians SHAKE their head to say yes, NOD for no; never forget this |
| Cheers! (Bulgarian) | Nazdrave! | nahz-DRAH-veh — 'to your health' |
| No (Bulgarian — but NODS HEAD) | Ne | NEH — no — but Bulgarians NOD their head to say no; the opposite of everywhere else |
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