Iceland
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
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Level 1: Without special recommendations
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Republic of Iceland
The Republic of Bulgaria has no functioning embassy in Iceland. Bulgarian citizens residing in Iceland on short-term or long-term basis may address on consular matters the Embassy of The Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Norway.
Embassy of The Republic of Bulgaria to the Kingdom of Norway
Address: Tidemands gate 11, 02 44 Oslo, Kingdom of Norway
Telephone: +47 22 55 40 40
Officehours: 08. 00 – 16.30 h (01.04 – 30.09); 08. 30 – 17.00h (01.10 – 31.03)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/norway
The Embassy of Iceland in Copenhagen is accredited for Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Iceland in Copenhagen
Address: Strandgade 89, DK-1401 København K
Telephone: +453318 1050
Fax: +4533 18 10 59
Officehours: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 16.00 h
E-mail: [email protected]
Honorary Consul of Iceland in Bulgaria
Tsvetelina BORISLAVOVA
1000 Sofia, 12, rue Slavyanska
Tél.: +359 2 939 92 27
Fax: +359 2 981 17 50
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
general information
Local currency
Icelandic krona (ISK)
Recommended is the possession of local currency upon arrival in the country, as the number of exchange bureaus is limited. Nowhere any other means of payment are accepted, except the krona.
Interesting facts
Icelandis characterised with volcanic and exceptional seismic activity. Grimsvötn volcano has outburst on May 21, 2011 and has caused closing of the Icelandic and European air space. The effect from the explosion of Eiafjatlajokult volcano on March 21, 2010 is well known. And all the time bursting of another volcano is possible besides the constant surveillance efforts rendered by the Icelandic authorities, engaged with timely notification thereof. Topical information on seismic activity may be found at the website of the Icelandic meteorological office HERE.
Besides the major Icelandic language, the use of English is widely spread in Iceland.
Crime and security
The general level of criminality in Iceland is very low. Anyway, paying attention to small stealing and anti-social behaviour is recommended, especially around night bars where people gather late in the night and during the holidays in Reykjavik. Recommended is also paying high attention when moving in the region around the central station and at the remote districts. Personal cars shall be also parked at central places. No items of value or bags shall be left in the cars. The terrorist threat in the country is low. Though, you should be aware of the global risk from terrorist attacks which may happen at public places, including places visited regularly by immigrants and foreign travelers.
Law specifics
The national legislation is harmonised at great extent with the EU legislation, as Iceland is bound by the EEA Treaty and the Schengen Treaty. Anyway, there are spheres where only the legislation of Iceland is applicable. Island is a member state of the European Economic Area which gives the Bulgarian citizens the right to work or stay in Iceland, under the condition they possess permission for work, issued by the Immigration Directorate. If you wish to stay for more than three months in Iceland, you shall contact the Immigration Directorate (Address: Útlendingastofnun, Skogarhlid 6, 105 Reykjavík; tel.: +510-5400).
The possession of even small quantities of light narcotics may lead to heavy penalties and/or imprisonment. The use and/or import of “qat” is prohibited in Iceland.
Smoking in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings is prohibited. Upon breaching of this requirement you will be asked to leave the public place. Non-fulfilment of this request will cause arresting and imposing of penalty.
Icelanders are very much engaged with the protection of the ecosystem. People violating the protection of the surrounding environment by polluting or destructing it are subject to heavy penalties and sanctions.
Customs requirements
Import of medicines, poisons, guns, plants and exotic animals is prohibited. For import of guns you must have preliminary permit issued by the customs authorities and you shall provide a valid hunting ticket. Whale’s meat may be consumed and bought in Iceland but tourists shall be aware that its import in EU is illegal by force of the Convention on international trade with threatened/rare species.
Road traffic
In Iceland traffic conditions differ substantially from those in the other countries and more specially Bulgaria due to the diverse and complex relief – mountains, lakes and fiords – and at places territories difficult to go through.
Distances between towns may be enormous, roads are narrow and curvy, with big limitations of speed. Driving takes more time than in other countries.
Special attention shall be paid to sliding pavements. The conditions for driving may be dangerous and the roads – impassable, especially during winter. Winter tires are obligatory from around November 1st till April 14th (the exact dates may vary from year to year).
Driving with lit shorts is obligatory, observing speed limitations is a must. Penalties for exceeded speed are heavy. Many roads are opened only for a short time during summer and if you intend to drive through distanced areas of the country, you shall always check in advance the information provided by the Icelandic Road Administration (Vegagerdin) before departure.
You shall also take into consideration the quickly changing meteorological conditions, including rising of river levels, which may drastically change, even within one and the same day. Here the rule of the right advantage of the car having entered ring traffic is applicable.
Driving with belts is a must. Speaking on mobile phones while driving is prohibited and penalties are very high.
The legislation of Iceland is exceptionally strict in respect of driving under alcohol’s influence, where heavy sanctions are envisaged – high penalties, depraving of the driver’s license, and imprisonment in some cases. Driving under the influence of narcotics and some medicines is also prosecuted by law. The permissible level of alcohol upon driving is 0,2 promilles.
The civil air fleet administration of Norway works in conformity with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Healthcare
The health care institutions of Iceland are of high western standard. Anyway, distances to them may be large, and as far as most cities have a health care centre or a major hospital, serious cases usually require urgent help/ transfer by an air ambulance in Reykjavik or Akurejri.
According to the conditions of EEA, urgent treatment for curing of Bulgarian citizens is for free upon visit to Iceland. You shall possess European Health Insurance Card as a must. The European Health Insurance Card is not a substitute of the medical and tourist insurance, but provides you with the right to urgent medical help under the same conditions as valid for Icelandic citizens. Every medical treatment which does not require emergency care is paid. See the web site of the European Health Insurance Card.
Competitive service
Certification and Legalisation
For the recognition in Bulgaria of a document issued by the Icelandic authorities and vice versa, it must be legalised with a special certificate – “Apostille”, and translated. The translation shall be made by a translator who has concluded contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the execution of official translations.
In Iceland issued documents are verified with “Apostille” by:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address: Rauðarárstíg 25, 150 Reykjavik, Iceland
Telephone: +354 545 9900
Fax: +354 562 2373
Ministry of Justice
Address: Skuggasundi, 150 Reykjavik, Iceland
Website: www.eng.domsmalaraduneyti.is
The so formed documents must be translated in the Bulgarian language by an authorised company in Bulgaria and verified at “Verifications and Legalisations” Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Bulgaria.
Emergency travel Document
In extreme cases – upon damaging, losing or stealing of passport, Bulgarian citizens may apply for the issue of an Emergency Travel Document at the embassy of an EU member state in Iceland.