D. R. Congo
Last update 29 January 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Avoid all travels (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
Select passport type
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in the capital Kinshasa. Bulgarian citizens residing in DR Congo on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Opening hours: 09. 00 - 17. 30
Reception hours at the Consular Office: 09. 00-12. 00 with an appointment recommended in advance
Headquarters: +234 9038600017
E-mail of the Consular Service: [email protected]
Embassy e-mail: [email protected]
Out-of-hours emergency telephone only: + 234 903 000 0275
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
The Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Prague is accredited for Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Prague
Address: Soukenická 34, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic
Tel: +420 222 314 656; +420 286 850 898
Tel/fax: +420 286 850 898
Opening hours: 09. 00 - 12. 00; 13. 00 - 16. 30 ч.
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
There is a very high level of crime, robbery and theft, including in major cities and tourist centres. There are mined areas in the country unsafe to visit without a local guide. Avoid travelling at night.
Bulgarian citizens should avoid travelling outside Kinshasa and the economic centre of Lumumbashi except in cases of extreme necessity. With regard to the intense hostilities between the DRC armed forces and rebel movements in the eastern part of the country – particularly the district of North Kivu and Itury, as well as the danger of further escalation of the conflict, it is strongly recommended to avoid travelling in the eastern part of the country, near the borders with Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The threat of terrorist acts should not be ruled out, not least because of the considerable risk of attacks in the eastern parts of the country in public places and where foreigners and tourists gather. There is a high risk of street crime and armed robbery at all times, including near hotels and supermarkets in the city centre. Display of valuables and cash should be avoided. Bulgarian citizens are advised to leave valuables and identification documents in a safe place and to carry photocopies of their personal documents.
There is a risk of car theft and car robberies. Car doors must be locked and windows closed while driving. Security services carry out roadblocks, especially in the dark part of the day. If asked to check documents at a checkpoint, Bulgarian citizens should stay in the car and show them through a closed window.
Some credit cards are accepted in the capital Kinshasa. The local currency is the Congolese franc, but US dollars are widely used; however, these must be in good condition and issued after 2013 or they will not be accepted in banks.
Healthcare:
Low level of healthcare. A number of infectious diseases characteristic of tropical conditions are widespread. The fight against Ebola has been fought with variable results, with a severe situation recorded in 2019 in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri (in the northeast of the country), the largest recorded outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the second largest in the world. Since then, cases have been isolated and sporadic. However, Bulgarian citizens intending to visit the affected areas should be aware that they may encounter difficulties in obtaining medical insurance. The risk of contracting the Ebola virus can be limited by: avoiding contact with symptomatic patients and wild animals (alive or dead); avoiding handling and eating meat from wild animals killed for food; washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before use; washing hands regularly and thoroughly with soap or alcohol-containing gel.
Specifics of the local legislation:
It is forbidden to photograph airports, military sites, squares, etc. There is a risk of arrest and detention. Journalists must not conduct interviews or film without special permission from local authorities.
Customs requirements:
You can bring in up to 5 million Congolese francs and an unlimited amount of declarable foreign currency into the DRC. Export of foreign currency is allowed within the declared quantity on entry. It is prohibited to export local currency.
Goods for personal use may be imported, including 100 cigarettes, 10 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco and 1 litre of alcohol.
Road traffic:
Poor road network. At border checkpoints, you need to show or buy insurance when entering the DRC by car. To drive a vehicle, you need an international driving licence. Public intercity transport is unreliable.
Practical advice:
Satellite phones, GPS devices, and the wearing of military, camouflage clothing can lead to problems with the DRC migration authorities.
Be careful when eating fruit and vegetables — after washing them, do not eat them immediately, but leave them in sunlight for 10—15 minutes.
Although there are no relevant prohibitions in legislation, traditional society in the DRC stereotypes the display of sexual orientation.
For security reasons, all air carriers of the DRC are banned from flying into the EU. Bulgarian citizens should avoid flying with local companies to cities outside Kinshasa.
Travelling of children:
There are no specific requirements, but it is advisable for children to travel with separate passports.
Local currency:
Congolese franc (CDF)
Climate:
The rainy period is from May to July.
Almost constant rains.
Travel papers and visas
You must enter the country with a regular international passport valid for at least 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Congo. Bulgarian citizens travelling to Congo (holders of regular, official and diplomatic passports) need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days, which can be obtained at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Prague.
The DRC authorities require proof of yellow fever vaccination from persons arriving from all countries. Vaccines against typhoid, cholera and dysentery and prophylactic medication against malaria are also recommended.
An immigration stamp from Rwanda or Uganda in the passport of Bulgarian citizens will not prevent entry into the DRC, but may cause difficulties when entering the DRC — delays at customs or an additional interview by a representative of the security services.
There is an exit fee of USD 50 when departing the DRC on an international flight and USD 10 when flying domestically (sometimes these fees are included in the ticket price).
Consular service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In extreme situations — in case of damage, loss or theft of a passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document at an Embassy of an EU Member State in Kinshasa.
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Bulgarian citizens should bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
They should then be certified either by the Bulgarian Embassy in Abuja (in this case a prior certification by the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Abuja is also required) or by the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Prague (in this case the certification by the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is certified at the Bulgarian Embassy in Prague).
Once the documents have been so prepared, they must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized translation agency in Bulgaria and the translation must be certified by the Department of Certifications and Legalizations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.