General information:
Entry into the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan should only take place through official border checkpoints (BCPs). 

Security level:
The rate of serious crimes in Azerbaijan is low. The majority of criminal incidents are of a domestic nature and affect the local population. Petty theft (pickpocketing) and assaults against foreign nationals are rare in Baku. A risk to foreigners could exist in places or events with large crowds of people or in very isolated areas.

Healthcare:
Most of the medical clinics and centers in Baku are very well equipped and accessible. Doctors and medical staff often speak Russian or English.
The water from the central water network is not recommended for drinking - mainly due to its extremely high calcareous content.

Customs requirements:
The Customs Service has offices at all border checkpoints of the Republic of Azerbaijan (airports, seaports, road and railway checkpoints). Customs officers have special uniforms and insignia (including flag and customs identification marks). Customs officials in Azerbaijan enforce the regulations regarding the temporary importation or exportation from Azerbaijan of items such as alcohol, tobacco, jewelry, religious materials, works of art, antiques, and business equipment. Medicines for personal use may be imported without permission from the Ministry of Health
Although there is no limit on the amount of currency brought in, if the amount brought in is not declared when leaving the country, you may be asked to prove the origin of the funds being exported. The same applies if the amount exported is more than the amount deposited. The export of currency worth from and over USD 10,000. e. must be declared. More information can be found at the following link: https://customs.gov.az/en/ferdler-ucun/valyuta-nezareti
According to the customs rules of Azerbaijan, an individual is allowed to carry with him up to 2 goods of the same type for personal use (for example, mobile phones, cameras, laptops, etc.). If a person is found to have 3 or more pieces of equipment of the same type / brand, they are seized by customs officials. In case a person intends to import more than 2 units of the same equipment, he must declare it and pay duty as the import is considered commercial.
No more than 1.5 liters of alcohol, 200 pcs. cigarettes, 20 grams of gold or jewelry from it, up to 30 kg. food products (once a month), 5 kg. sturgeon fish, 125 grams of sturgeon caviar, etc.
The export of more than 600 grams of sturgeon caviar, live animals (except cats and dogs), valuable wood species, weapons, drugs, precious stones, rare plants is prohibited.
The export of ancient coins, manuscripts, precious stones, works of art, carpets and objects falling under the definition of cultural heritage according to the Law on Culture is allowed only with the written permission of the Ministry of Culture or other relevant institution.
Detailed information on customs restrictions and formalities can be found on the website of the Azerbaijan Customs Committee (https://www.customs.gov.az/en/).

Road traffic:
The country's land borders remain closed until 01 October 2025. This ban has been in effect since February 2020 and is part of the special quarantine regime introduced by the Government to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

In March 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan decided to limit (ban) the import of passenger cars that are older than 10 years from their date of manufacture.
Motor vehicle drivers must possess a motor vehicle driver's license or a document / certificate replacing the motor vehicle driver's license, if the same has been revoked in accordance with the established procedure by the relevant authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
If the driver is not the owner of the personal motor vehicle, he must have a certified power of attorney or a certificate of ownership, a registration card of the driven motor vehicle, an insurance policy certifying the mandatory third party insurance ("civil liability"), according to the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a special permit and documents, certifying the cargo carried (for commercial vehicles).
The intercity road network is well developed between major cities. When traveling by car from the Republic of Bulgaria, you pass through the territory of the Republic of Turkey and Georgia. There is a good expressway between the capitals of Georgia and Azerbaijan. There is also an upgraded rail link between Baku and Tbilisi, with a passenger train running at night.
In Baku, public transport is well developed (metro, buses, taxis). When traveling by metro and bus, it is recommended to use an electronic card, which can be purchased at counters and from machines at the entrance of metro stations. The price of a one-way bus and metro ticket is low (equivalent to 0.25 euro cents as of February 2024).
There is a regular 24-hour bus service from the airport (located about 30 km from the center of Baku) to the center, with buses every 30 minutes during the day and every hour at night. To travel on this bus, a card must be purchased (price around 1 euro), which is then valid for the city's road network.
Taxi fares are quite affordable, as licensed taxis can also be ordered through various mobile apps that provide an up-front price for the trip. It is recommended to avoid using random and unmarked taxis.

Local currency:
Azerbaijani manat (AZN). The exchange rate of the manat against the US dollar is stable, with one dollar being exchanged for 1.7 manats. The exchange rate against the euro varies between 1.70 and 2.00 manats for 1 euro.
The banking system in the country is well developed, and currency can be exchanged both in bank branches and exchange offices. Payments in the commercial network are made only in manats.

Climatе:
The climate in Azerbaijan is continental, with relatively cold winters and hot summers. The capital Baku is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, 28 meters below sea level. Summer in Baku is very hot and humid, and in winter temperatures drop below freezing mostly at night. Snowfall in the capital is rare, and the snow cover is usually small and lasts only a few days. At the same time, the capital Baku is known for its characteristic strong winds.
There are no zones with an increased risk of natural disasters on the territory of Azerbaijan.

Practical advice:

Foreigners who plan to stay in Azerbaijan for more than 30 days and intend to use their mobile device and SIM card from a local mobile operator should register their phone's IMEI code at the nearest post office and pay a fee. After the 30-day period expires, phones that have not been registered are blocked and cannot be used until the legal procedure is completed.

Take out the best possible medical travel insurance you can afford before you leave the Republic of Bulgaria. This would help you avoid major expenses such as hospitalization or medical evacuation.

Keep your Bulgarian passport valid for the entire duration of the trip, including for all family members traveling with you. Get the contact details of the Bulgarian Embassy in Baku.
Keep your identity documents safe and notify the Embassy immediately if they are lost or stolen.
If you are traveling with a child or children under 18 without at least one parent, bring a letter of consent from one or both parents.

Respect and obey the local laws, religion and culture of the country.

Plan for additional funds for unexpected expenses.

Travel documents and visa regime:

Holders of ordinary Bulgarian passports need a visa for Azerbaijan. From January 10, 2017, an electronic service for submitting an application for short-term entry visas for Azerbaijan - ASAN Visa - is active. The service is available on the electronic portal https://evisa.gov.az/en/. It provides an opportunity for foreign citizens wishing to obtain a short-term and single-entry visa to Azerbaijan (valid for 30 days) to submit their documents online, no later than three working days before the day they plan to enter the country . The visa fee is $25. e.
The system also provides an opportunity for a fast-track visa, which is approved within three hours, and its value is 60 US dollars.
In case of approval, within three days, the applicant receives his visa to the e-mail indicated by him and can print it on a regular printer. The printed visa is presented together with the foreign passport of the traveler upon entering the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In order for foreign nationals to apply for a visa to Azerbaijan, their foreign passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires.
Bulgarian citizens who wish to be issued a multiple-entry or long-term entry visa for Azerbaijan should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Sofia - https://sofia.mfa.gov.az/en.
A visa facilitation agreement is in force between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan, which regulates the issuance of visas to citizens of the EU and Azerbaijan for a planned stay of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
According to Art. 6, para. 2 of the Agreement, participants in international sports events, close relatives of EU citizens, persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, pensioners, children under 12 years of age, etc. are exempt from paying a visa fee.
The agreement defines the grounds and introduces simplified procedures for applying for visas.

Required visa documents:

-completed survey;
-original passport;
-two photos (passport format);
-medical insurance;
-other documents depending on the reason for application.

The period of residence of foreigners in the Republic of Azerbaijan should not exceed the period for which the visa was issued. Foreign citizens in Azerbaijan should comply with the stated purpose of travel and leave the territory of the country within the established period. Violation of these rules is subject to criminal liability pursuant to Art. 575.1.3 of the Code of Administrative Violations of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
For holders of diplomatic and official passports:
According to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan on a simplified visa regime, which entered into force on 17.02.2006, visas are not required for the holders of diplomatic and official passports. They can enter, leave, transit and temporarily reside on the territory of the country without visas for a period of up to 90 (ninety) days within 6 (six) months, starting from the date of first entry.

Registration by place of residence:

Foreign citizens planning a stay in the Republic of Azerbaijan longer than two weeks are obliged to register no later than 15 days after the day of their arrival at the central office of the State Migration Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan or at the regional offices of the service. Registration can also be done online at: https://e-regv2.migration.gov.az/security/signin?ReturnUrl=%2fMain%2fIndex
This obligation is also valid in the event of a change of residence within the country within the permitted period according to the received visa.
Registration can be done free of charge by the hotel administration or by the owner of the apartment where the foreigner is staying. More information can be found at the following link https://www.migration.gov.az/en/oyq/oyq
During registration, scanned copies of the applicant's passport and visa should be uploaded to the system, the necessary personal data and the address where the person will reside should be filled.
After the registration is approved, the system sends a confirmation and registration number to the indicated e-mail. The status of the submitted application can also be checked in the online portal. In case of unsuccessful registration or non-compliance with the deadlines, fines are imposed on the resident of Azerbaijan, and leaving the country without paying them is impossible.

Authorization of the period of temporary residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan:

Foreign citizens residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan and wishing to extend their stay in the country are required to request the relevant permit at least three working days before the expiration of their residence permit in Azerbaijan according to their visa. The term of temporary residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan can be extended up to 60 days and only in the following cases:
- There is a need for urgent treatment on the territory of the country;
- In case of serious illness or death of a close relative residing on the territory of Azerbaijan;
- After provision by the organization that invited the foreign citizen to Azerbaijan of a reasoned motivation regarding the need to complete the official task, which is why he arrived in the country;
- When extending the period of temporary residence in the Republic of Azerbaijan of the parents, spouse, child, brother or sister of the foreign citizen.
More information can be found at the following link – https://www.migration.gov.az/en/page/72
Obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit in the Republic of Azerbaijan
Foreign citizens who wish to reside on the territory of the country temporarily or permanently should obtain a certificate for a permit for temporary or permanent residence in the country. You can find more information on the matter at the following link – https://www.migration.gov.az/en/page/73

Consular services:

Applications for the issuance of identity cards, passports and temporary passports and for the performance of notarizations at the "Consular Office" at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Baku are accepted at a previously reserved date and time.
The receipt of issued identity documents is carried out without a previously reserved date and time, at the approved reception time.
Reception hours of the "Consular Office" on working days are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Date and time for reception can be reserved by phone: + 994 51 225 74 71 or by e-mail [email protected]