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| Time: |
| Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to September). |
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Electricity: |
| Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. European two-pin plugs are in use. |
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Language: |
| Bulgarian is the official language, which uses the Cirillic alphabet, but English, German and French is spoken in resorts, hotels and restaurants. |
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Currency: |
| The official currency is the Lev (LV), which is divided into 100 stotinki. Bulgaria has strict currency regulations; If you enter Bulgaria with cash of any currency amounting to the equivalent of Leva 8000 or more, you must declare it to customs officials. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, hotels or at one of the numerous bureaux de change, however due to a common practice of misleading rates of exchange it is better to go to banks or hotels to change money. Not all banks accept travellers cheques and those that do usually charge a 5% commission. Major international credit cards are increasingly becoming accepted by tourist hotels, upmarket shops and restaurants, travel agents and car rental agents, but Bulgaria is still largely a cash economy. There are a number of ATMs located within Bansko. |
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Tipping: |
| Tips of 10% of the bill are customary in restaurants, while hotel porters and taxi drivers expect the change to round up the bill. With non-metered taxis you needn't add a tip to the fare you agreed on beforehand. |
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Health: |
| No vaccinations are required for entry to Bulgaria. The country poses few health risks beyond mild travellers' diarrhoea. Mains water is chlorinated, but occasionally causes stomach upsets, so bottled water is advised. Food is safe in hotels and restaurants, but street vendors should be avoided. Medical treatment can be expensive and payment is expected immediately. Facilities in local hospitals are basic and old-fashioned and specialised treatment and equipment is not freely available. Medical insurance, with provision for emergency evacuation, is therefore vitally necessary. |
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Safety: |
| Most visits to Bulgaria are trouble-free. Violent crime is rare, but criminal groups target casinos and nightclubs. |
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Customs: |
| Foreigners should be aware that a shake of the head means yes and a nod means no, although allowances are often made for visitors. |
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Communications: |
| The country dialling code for Bulgaria is +359, followed by the relevant city code. Bulgaria offers a direct dialling service to 58 countries, which can be reached by adding the prefix 00 to the country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Calls to countries that cannot be accessed by direct dialling must be placed through an operator at 0123. Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths require a special card available from kiosks. Telephone offices are also available and are attached to post offices. Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe that has no peak or off-peak call times. The country has three mobile GSM operators, and several Internet Service Providers. Internet cafes are on the increase in the big cities. |
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Bulgaria Overview