VISA AND PASSPORTS

In order to travel to and within Bulgaria the nationals of all countries need a passport valid until at least six months after the date of departure. You do not have to produce a return ticket on arrival. On arrival, however, all visitors have to register at the hotel or guesthouse they are staying at, or, when visiting friends or camping, at the nearest police station.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The Bulgarian currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGL) and its plural, leva. Every lev used to consist of 100 stotinki (st). Leva notes are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50. Stotinki coins in use are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50.

After the fall of Communism in Bulgaria, new editions of leva notes were printed, and all notes dating prior to 1974 have been declared worthless. To ensure against receiving counterfeit notes, always check for the Bulgarian Lion watermark. The deregulation of the lev on the exchange market has caused foreign currency, and in particular United States dollars (USD), to become very popular with the Bulgarian population. Black­market currency exchanges and upstart banks vie with airport shop owners and taxi drivers in attempts to separate tourists from their foreign currency. Local currency may not be taken out of the country.

CREDIT CARDS

The following credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops in Bulgaria: Diners Club, American Express, Mastercard, Carte Blanche, Balkanamericard, Visa, Eurocard, etc. They can be used for the payment of all standard services: hotel accommodation, restaurants, night spots, shopping, car rentals, plane tickets, etc.

COMMUNICATIONS

Bulgaria offers a direct dialling service to 36 countries. To place a direct international call from Bulgaria you will have to place 00 in front of the country code you are dialling. If the country you are trying to reach is not one of the lucky 36 that can be reached directly from Bulgaria, you will have to place a call through an operator by dialling 0123. If you are placing an international call from a private house on Bulgaria, a telephone operator will always have to arrange the call and telephone you when the lines are available. This sometimes takes up to half an hour, especially if you are not in a major city. Major hotels and resorts, however, are normally in possession of a 'Betkom' direct dial phone with a digital display screen, which you can operate by purchasing a special card sold at nearby kiosks.

Telecommunications: International dialing code for Bulgaria - 359. Direct telephone communication from Bulgaria to countries in Europe, Asia and Africa is possible from Betcom or Bulgarian Telecommunication Company phone booths, with phonecards. Phone calls, telegram and telefax services in the country and abroad are offered by the Sofia Central Post Office and by Post Office in the capital and the country.

WORKING HOURS

Banks and offices usually work with clients from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Most shops are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and many work around the clock.

OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS

- January 1 - New Year
- March 3 - Bulgaria's Liberation
- April 24 - Easter
- May 1 - Labour Day
- May 24 - the Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture and the Slav Script
- December 25 - Christmas

ELECTRICITY

Plugs used in Bulgaria, as in most of Europe, are two-pin plugs; which means that sockets are made accordingly. The common voltage is 220 V, and it is wise to bring your own adapters as well as converters as these may not be available in the area you are travelling to.

Bulgaria operates on 220 volt /50 Hertz/, using the continental standard two-pin plug.

TIME DIFFERENCE

Bulgaria's time zone lies two hours ahead of Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT). Along with most of Europe, however, Bulgaria institutes its Summer Time. Summer Time is three hours ahead of GMT and is instituted from the last Sunday in May to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September.

- 0123 - operator for international calls (if no direct phone call is possible)
- 1286, 983 308 - Road Assistance
- 75 361 - Institute for Treatment of Foreign Citizens
- 798 035 - Sofia Airport - International Flights
- 722 414 - Sofia Airport - Domestic Flights
- 121 - operator for long-distance calls within the country
- 140 - sending of telegrams
- 144 - telephone information service for office phone numbers
- 145 - telephone information service for home numbers
- 146 - Emergency Road Service
- 150 - Emergency Medical Aid
- 166 - Police/Road patrols
- 175 - weather forecast
- 180 - exact time ("speaking" clock)

INTERNET

There are a lot of internet cafes around the towns and cities. Most large and small private hotels offer Internet connections. There are modern internet centers located at the Central post offices around the country.

TIPPING

Tipping is generally expected by the waiting staff in the restaurants, cafes and bars. Taxi drivers also expect the fare to be rounded up. But you are in no way obliged to tip if you feel the service did not merit it.

HOMESEX

Bulgarians are not very open about the subject of homosexuals, although there is an operating Bulgarian Gay Organization. There are only a few gay bars and night clubs in Sofia. More info – www.bgogemini.org

DRIVING

Depending on your previous experience, driving in Bulgaria may seem a little tough at first. However, there is no need to feel daunted as long as one drives carefully and sticks to the rules on the road. Bulgaria is lacking fully developed motorways, and apart from Sofia – Plovdiv, no other major route is a continuous highway. Thanks to the EU funding in the recent years, the quality of the major roads within the country have much improved. Visitors to Bulgaria may drive using their national license, as long as it complies with the international standards. It is advisable, however, to carry an international license.

PETROL SERVICE STATIONS

Modern and plentiful petrol stations line the popular routes offering clean toilets and refreshment facilities. Fuel in Bulgaria is not cheap; it is available in 92, 95 and 98 octane levels. Approximate fuel prices – from 0.82 eurocent per regular fuel - to 1.00 euro per V power fuel. Cheaper diesel fuel and propane gas are also widely available throughout the country.

ROAD SIGNS

Road signs follow the International standards. Major destinations and routes are signposted in Cyrillic and Latin letters. Often, however, in the countryside there are signs written only in Cyrillic.

According to Bulgarian Law

Seat Belts – must be worn by all passengers in the car.

Mobile phones – Mobile phones can only be used by the “hands free” sets.

Legal alcohol limit – 0.5 pro mil.

Speed limits – Inside the city – 50 km/h (30 mph); outside the cities – 90 km/h (55 mph); on the highway – 120 km/h (75 mph)