South Korea
Last update 31 December 2025Travel advice
Risk index
Level 1: No specific advice
1
Select passport type
Republic of Korea
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Seoul, the Republic of Korea
Address: 102-8 Hannam-daero, Yongsang-gu, Seoul 04418, Republic of Korea
Telephone: +82 2 794 8625; +82 2 794 8626
Fax: +82 2 794 8627
Emergency contact: + 82 10 3549 8625
Consular Office:
Telephone: +82 2 794 8625/6
Fax: +82 2 794 8627
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:30
Opening hours: 10:30 – 12:30, 14:00-16:00
E-mail: Embassy.Seoul@mfa.bg
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/korea
Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Republic of Korea:
Mr. Kim Hee-yong
Headquarters: Seoul
Consular district: Seoul
Address: 2~3F, Daeyong Bldg. 7, Eonju-ro 133-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06053, Korea
Tel. : +82.2.3014.2700
Fax: +82.2.544.9803
Email: khy@tym.co.kr
Personal Assistant: Ms. HyeJin Ko, Email: khj0323@tym.co.kr
Mr. Choi Kang-yong
Headquarters: Busan
Consular district: the territory of the city of Busan and the province of South Gyeongsang
Address: 11, Jungang-daero, 226 beon-gil, Dong-gu, Busan 48733, Korea
Phone: +82.10.9258.0003
Email: needwon@cygroup.co.kr
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria
Address: Sofia St. "Srebarna" No. 2B, 4th floor
Working hours: 09:00 - 12:30 / 13:30 - 17:30
Tel.: +359 2 971 21 81, 971 25 36
Fax: +359 2 971 33 88
E-mail: koreanembassybg@mofa.or.kr ; korean-embassy@mofa.go.kr
Website: http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/bg-bg/index.do
Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Bulgaria:
Mr. Yosif Spiridonov
Address: 8000 Burgas, "Lazuren Bryag" residence, office 213
Tel.: +359 888 580 220
Email: jospi8888@gmail.com
Mr. Ivo Mihailov
Address: 9000 Varna, 6 "Sofia" St., floor 2, office 3
Tel.: +359 88 520 2808
E-mail: ipmihaylov@gmail.com
Mrs. Violeta Sechkova
Address: Plovdiv, Dr. Georgi Stranski Street, Plovdiv Plaza office center
Tel.: +359 877 56 97 35
E-mail: Plovdiv@hconsulate-korea.bg
Website: www.hconsulate-korea.bg
General information
Security level:
South Korea is one of the safest countries in Asia. The level of crime in the country is low, but the usual security measures should be taken.
Healthcare:
There are no infectious diseases in the Republic of Korea that require mandatory pre-vaccination.
A special quarantine form is to be completed when the foreigner comes from a country where there are cases of cholera, yellow fever, plague, SARS, etc.
It is not mandatory to present medical insurance when entering the country for a short stay.
It should be borne in mind, however, that there is no specific treaty or agreement between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Bulgaria on cooperation in the field of healthcare and all medical services are paid for personally by the patient, which requires considerable resources.
Specifics of the local legislation:
Tourist visits to existing military bases and other special purpose sites in the country are generally prohibited. It is recommended that those wishing to visit the demilitarized zone along the border with North Korea join an organized tour group.
Customs requirements:
A customs declaration shall be completed only for the import or export of items subject to declaration.
It is mandatory to declare imports and exports of currency valued at more than USD 10,000, as well as personal belongings and items with a total taxable value of more than USD 800.
Duty-free import of 2 bottles of alcohol (up to 2 liters total and worth up to $400), 200 cigarettes, an e-cigarette/liquid nicotine up to 20 ml (nicotine content below 1%), and 100 ml of perfume is permitted.
The import and export of any pornographic or similar materials that may disturb public order and safety, materials related to confidential government information or intelligence activities, counterfeit or forged currency, bonds, and other commercial instruments are prohibited. There are restrictions on the import and export of firearms, narcotics, animals and plants, and animal and plant products.
This list is not exhaustive, and travelers should consult with Korean customs authorities if they are unsure about the items they are carrying. Information on customs requirements in the Republic of Korea can be found on the official website of the Republic of Korea Customs Service at www.customs.go.kr .
Road traffic:
Due to the heavy traffic and the specific street marking system in the settlements, caution is advised when driving alone. Driving with a Bulgarian driving licence is not allowed.
Local currency:
South Korean Won (KRW).
Travel papers and visas
Since 13 August 1994 an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on the abolition of visa requirements has been in force, according to which Bulgarian citizens who hold a valid international passport may enter and reside for a short period (up to 90 days) in this country, provided that their stay is not for the purpose of exercising gainful or remunerated activity. At least 24 hours prior to travel (boarding the flight to the Republic of Korea) they must register and obtain a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) — more information/application for K-ETA can be found at: www.k-eta.go.kr .
Attention: The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea has taken an additional decision to extend until December 31, 2026, the temporary exemption of citizens from certain countries, including the Republic of Bulgaria, from the requirement to hold a K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) when traveling to the Republic of Korea.
Details and additional information about the Korean decision are published at: https://www.k-eta.go.kr/portal/board/viewboarddetail.do?bbsSn=299707.
When traveling to the Republic of Korea, Bulgarian citizens must fill out an electronic information form (e-Arrival card) in advance via the official website at: https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
The electronic form can be completed and submitted online within 3 days immediately prior to arrival in the Republic of Korea and is valid for a period of 72 hours, during which the passenger must arrive in the country. A customs form is completed upon entry into the country only if necessary.
There are cases in which Bulgarian citizens may be exempted from the requirement to complete and submit the electronic "e-Arrival card" form when traveling to the Republic of Korea.
Holders of a residence card in the Republic of Korea issued by the authorities of the Republic of Korea are among the categories of passengers who are not required to fill in the electronic "e-Arrival card" form.
Detailed/up-to-date information on the subject can be found at the following address: https://www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr.
Since 2012, border crossing points of Korea collect biometric data from travellers, except for children under 17 years of age and those travelling with diplomatic or official passports. There is no mandatory registration requirement with the Korean immigration authorities for short-term stay.
Bulgarian citizens who intend to stay for more than 90 days or wish to engage in any gainful or remunerated activity must obtain a visa in advance from a diplomatic or consular mission of South Korea.
Due to changes in the legislation of the Republic of Korea, foreign nationals holding seaman’s passports cannot enter and reside in the territory of the Republic of Korea without an international passport. In this regard, the provisions of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Maritime Transport, signed on 16 June 2005 in Sofia, in force since 25 November 2005, concerning the entry and stay of Bulgarian citizens on the territory of the Republic of Korea, bearers of seaman’s passports, are inapplicable. According to the information provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sofia, for the period of time for which the inconsistencies between the changes in the legislation of the country and the bilateral agreements on maritime transport concluded by the country will be eliminated, Bulgarian citizens, bearers of seaman's passports, when entering and staying on the territory of the Republic of Korea must also hold regular passports.
Further detailed information related to visits to the Republic of Korea can be found in English on the following pages:
- www.korea.net
- www.visitkorea.or.kr
- www.hikorea.go.kr
- www.customs.go.kr
- www.kdca.go.kr
- www.moj.go.kr
- www.mofa.go.kr
Work in the Republic of Korea:
Bulgarian citizens wishing to work in South Korea or engage in any other gainful activity are required to apply for the relevant visa before entering the country. Foreigners found in violation of the local labour laws and the current visa regime, especially in respect of gainful employment without the relevant permits, are subject to heavy fines and to a mandatory administrative measure of ‘expulsion’ and a ban on entering the country for a period of 1 to 5 years or more.
Consular service
Bulgarian identity documents:
The Consular Office with the Embassy in Seoul has been equipped with the biometric data equipment and therefore accepts applications for all types of Bulgarian identity documents – passport, identity card, driving licence and Emergency Travel Documents. The Consular Office with the Embassy provides regular (up to 45 days) and fast service (up to 30 days) for the issuance of Bulgarian identity documents (passport and identity card), the issuance of a driving licence is within 90 days. For sending the ready documents to the Diplomatic Mission in Seoul, the applicants use the services of the DHL company.
Legalizations and Certifications:
Bulgaria and Korea are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an Apostille by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.
Consular fees are payable in cash or by bank transfer to the account of the Embassy.