The Republic of Bulgaria

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

For Bulgarian citizens 
What consular officers can do for you:

• issue a travel document to you, in case you do not hold one
• inform your relatives in case of an accident, serious illness or death, and provide any possible assistance
• inform your relatives in case of an arrest, assist them to visit you in prison, and ensure that you are treated in the same way as the citizens of the host country
• provide aid in case of emergency, such as natural disasters or civil unrest
• provide you with the most up-to-date information when you travel
• authenticate a signature
• draw up vital records (birth, civil marriage and death records)
• forward vital records already drawn up by local authorities to the Bulgarian municipality where your permanent address is.

What consular officers cannot do for you:

• provide a ticket booking or a hotel room booking, or store your luggage
• pay for your hotel accommodation, medical costs or other bills, including the charge for retrieval of lost luggage to Bulgaria
• provide funds to pay for legal services, represent you in court or give you legal advice
• release you from prison or secure special treatment for you in prison
• provide you with translation or telephone services
• investigate crimes
• pay you any pension or arrange for the payment of your social insurance contributions
• provide you with a work permit
• provide you with visas for other countries.
Some practical advice

• Remember that when abroad, you have to observe local laws and custom. During your stay there, you are subject to the local jurisdiction. We recommend that you acquaint yourself with such laws and custom in advance and abide by them. The punishment for breaking the law might be much more severe than imposed in Bulgaria for the same infringements.
• Pay special attention to the local rules on the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages and psychotropic substances and observe them. In some countries it is forbidden to sell or drink alcohol.
• Put all drugs in their original packaging and check if any of them are regarded as illegal narcotic drugs abroad. If you are using any such substances, bring with you a copy of a prescription for them as a proof.
• Avoid carrying other people’s things through borders.
• Ensure in advance that the period of validity of your driving licence has not expired, and that your driving licence is valid in the country you are visiting.
• We recommend that you obtain an international driving licence in advance. Ensure that you acquaint yourself with the local road traffic rules. In many countries, heavy fines are imposed for breaking traffic rules, which shall be paid on the spot, regardless of whether you are a local or a foreign citizen.
• In case you are detained by the local authorities for any reason, demand that you contact the diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in the country where you are staying. The consular officer will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
• We advise you to obtain a health, tourist, travel or other insurance in advance.
• In case of death of a Bulgarian citizen abroad, the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria will assist you and help you arrange the formalities.
• The diplomatic or consular mission may provide you with direct financial aid only if relatives or friends of yours deposit the amount you need with the Financial and Economic Activities Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• In case your personal documents, money, travel tickets etc. are stolen, immediately notify the nearest police station thereof in person and in writing, and demand a copy of the record ascertaining the incident. Contact our diplomatic or consular mission to take the necessary steps to obtain the documents you need to continue your trip or return to your homeland.
• You are not required but advised to register with the nearest Bulgarian embassy or consulate. That would make it easier to contact you in case of emergency or wherever necessary.
• Before leaving Bulgaria, or immediately after arriving in the country you are visiting, note down the addresses and telephone numbers of the Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission there. The administration of the hotels you are staying at, the travel companies whose services you are using, and the local police authorities ought to have that information in case it is needed. For your convenience, the address, telephone and fax numbers of the Consular Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia which you can use to make queries and ask for information are available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

You can find detailed information and advice for air passengers, as well as the latest security requirements in that regard, on the website of Sofia Airport.

Information on the import and export regimes of states and on the quantities of goods and amounts of money you can import in or export from Bulgaria is available on the website of the Customs Agency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes you a pleasant and trouble-free trip abroad.

Information concerning children under the age of 18 leaving the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
A child travelling unaccompanied
When travelling, the child shall hold a declaration signed by both his/her parents and certified by the Consular Section of the Embassy, whereby the parents state that they grant their consent for their child to travel unaccompanied.


A child accompanied by one parent

The parent accompanying the child shall hold a power of attorney/declaration by the other parent whereby the latter states that he/she grants his/her consent for the child to travel accompanied by the travelling parent.

A child accompanied by another person

The person accompanying the child shall hold a power of attorney/declaration signed by both parents whereby they state that they grant their consent for their child to travel accompanied by that person. Where the parental rights in respect of the child are exercised by one parent only on the authority of a court judgement, only that parent shall be required to sign a power of attorney/declaration granting his/her consent for the child to travel unaccompanied, or accompanied by the other parent, or by another person. In this case a copy of the court judgement shall also be presented. The court judgement shall be translated into Bulgarian and certified.
The power of attorney/declaration granting consent for the child to travel shall be certified by the Consular Section. The power of attorney/declaration shall be signed in person by the authoriser/declarer in the presence of the relevant official at the Consular Section.
A copy of the power of attorney/declaration shall remain with the Consular Section.
Download:

  Declaration for children travelling with accompanying person
  Declaration for a child travelling unaccompanied
  Declaration for children travelling unaccompanied
  Information concerning children leaving Bulgaria

For Bulgarians living abroad

If you need consular services, consular protection or any other assistance falling within the powers of the Bulgarian diplomatic and consular missions abroad, you are advised to contact:

- the Bulgarian embassy or consulate established in the state where you reside;

- the Bulgarian embassy or consulate accredited (officially representing the Republic of Bulgaria) to the state where you reside;

- the Bulgarian embassy or consulate nearest to the state where you reside, regardless of whether it is accredited (officially representing the Republic of Bulgaria) to that state.

In the Diplomatic Relations section, you will find the address of the Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission established in or responsible for each state.