Travel Vaccines and Advice for Bulgaria
Bulgaria is in the southeastern sector of Europe. This region has been inhabited since ancient times by many groups including Greeks, Romans and Goths.
Tourists travel to Bulgaria for a variety of reasons. Bulgaria is home to nine historical and natural objects that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Travellers also enjoy the rich cuisines that come from Turkish and Greek inspiration.
On This Page:
Do I Need a Visa for Bulgaria?
What is the Climate in Bulgaria?
How Safe is Bulgaria?
Boyana Church
What Should I Take to Bulgaria?
Embassy of the United Kingdom in Bulgaria
Do I Need Vaccines for Bulgaria?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Bulgaria. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Bulgaria: COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tickborne encephalitis and tetanus.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunisations:
- COVID-19 –
Airborne –
Recommended for all travellers - Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers to the region, especially if unvaccinated. - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Tetanus –
Wounds or Breaks in Skin –
Recommended for travelers to most regions, especially if not previously vaccinated. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
Moderate risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-stay travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Tickborne Encephalitis –
Ticks or Unpasteurised Products –
Transmission is widespread. Spread is most common from early spring to late autumn.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Bulgaria |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 | Airborne | Recommended for all travellers |
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers to the region, especially if unvaccinated. |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Tetanus | Wounds or Breaks in Skin | Recommended for travelers to most regions, especially if not previously vaccinated. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | Moderate risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-stay travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
| Tickborne Encephalitis | Ticks or Unpasteurised Products | Transmission is widespread. Spread is most common from early spring to late autumn. |
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Do I Need a Visa for Bulgaria?
Visas are not required for stays in Bulgaria under three months. Longer stays require a residency permit. Passports must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Bulgaria Entry Requirements |
||
| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Bulgaria? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
|
| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | ||
Sources: Embassy of Bulgaria and GOV.UK
What is the Climate in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria’s climate is continental with long, cold winters and warm summers. The country is made up of two plains with the Balkan Mountains extending from east to west between them. The northern plain sees temperatures in the 30’s in January and 70’s in July. The southern plain has temperatures in the 0’s for January to 20’s for July.
Bulgaria borders the Black Sea. Its coastal area is milder and influenced by sea breezes. Summers on the coast can be hot with temperatures reaching the 20’s in July and August.
The Balkan Mountains offer quite a contrast to that of the Black Sea coast. Temperatures remain low in the mountains year-round. Skiing is possible through late-March in the mountainous towns of Borovets and Pamporovo.
How Safe is Bulgaria?
The majority of the crimes committed against tourists in Bulgaria involve money. Usually these involve overcharging in taxis and on alcohol. Travellers should only use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates.
Travellers must be very vigilant when purchasing alcohol in bars and nightclubs. It is not uncommon for bills to come back significantly higher than they should be.
Other common crimes in Bulgaria include pick-pocketing, purse snatching, automobile theft and burglary.
Boyana Church
Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, is home to many exciting and vibrant cultural experiences. One experience Sofia has to offer that simply cannot be missed is the Boyana Church. This Bulgarian Orthodox church has been functioning since the late 10th century.
The church is known for its preserved structure and contributions to the European painting movements in the Middle Ages.
What Should I Take to Bulgaria?
Here are some essential items to consider bringing on your trip to Bulgaria:
- Cash is key. Most shops, hotels, and restaurants do not accept travellers’ checkers or credit cards. Be sure to have at least some cash with you on arrival.
- Feminine products can be hard to find in some areas and are not very high-quality.
- Toilet paper as it is not very common to come across a public water closet that provides toilet paper.
Embassy of the United Kingdom in Bulgaria
If you are in Bulgaria and have an emergency (for example, been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the nearest consular services. Contact the embassy before arrival if you have additional questions on entry requirements, safety concerns or are in need of assistance.
British Embassy Sofia
9, Moskovska St
1000 Sofia
Bulgaria
Telephone: (+359) 2 933 9222
Emergency Phone: (+359) 2 933 9222
Fax: (+359) 2 933 9250
Contact Form: Click Here
Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Ring or book online now and start travelling safely today!
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