Business travelers will find that Bulgaria has an extensive, rich history — coupled with incredible landscapes and diverse topography. Inhabited since antiquity, Bulgaria was home to some of Europe’s earliest civilizations - the Thracians, Romans, and Byzantines - which left behind valuable artistic and architectural treasures.  Bordered by the Black Sea and numerous mountain ranges, Bulgaria is an exciting tourist destination offering business travelers relaxing or adventuresome, side-trips. The country is well known for its beaches, spa retreats, golf, mountain tourism, skiing, ecological tours, group tourism, and cultural tourism. There is also a new trend of small enterprise retreats and boutique chateaus. There are ten UNESCO sites in Bulgaria, ranging from the third century B.C. to the 20th century, to include the Rila Monastery (founded in the 10th century), the Ivanovski Rock Churches and the Basarbovski rock monastery (founded in the 13th century). 

Business Customs

Bulgarians are less formal than Western Europeans, from the way they dress, to the way they conduct business. Meetings, including lunches and dinners, are used as an opportunity to get acquainted and for developing trust. Companies use evening receptions for public relations and to solidify business relationships. Business cards are informally and casually exchanged without much protocol. Gifts are not a customary part of initial business meetings. Bulgarians are increasingly more ‘time’ conscious and so it is wise to arrive at your appointment early or on time.

One potentially confusing custom is that moving of the head from left-to-right, often with a slight smile, means “yes” while nodding up and down indicates “no.” However, with English language fluency growing, more Bulgarians use head movements in a typical western fashion. When in doubt, clarify any ‘yes’ or ‘no’ by obtaining a verbal response.

Travel Advisory

For specific information about Bulgaria, including location of the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Sofia; Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements; Safety and Security Issues; Local Laws and Special Circumstances; Health; and Travel and Transportation, please see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html

American citizens visiting Bulgaria are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP; https://step.state.gov/step/) to receive security messages in case of an emergency. Information and application procedures for routine consular services is located on the U.S. Embassy website: https://bg.usembassy.gov/. U.S. citizens experiencing an emergency (assault, arrest, death) can contact the U.S. Embassy at +359-2-397-5101. 

Bulgarian law requires all travelers entering or leaving the EU through Bulgaria with EUR 10,000 or more in cash to declare the sum to Bulgarian customs. This EU initiative assists efforts to tackle crime and improve security by cracking down on money laundering, terrorism and criminality. Travelers arriving at the international airport carrying currency in excess of the above amount should use the red “Something to Declare” line, and not the green “Nothing to Declare” line, even if specifically invited into the green line by a Customs official. 

Travelers who attempt to leave Bulgaria with the equivalent of BGN 25,000 or more must complete a Customs declaration stating the origin of the money and provide a certificate from the Bulgarian regional internal revenue service proving that they do not owe taxes, unless the sum is less than the amount originally reported when initially brought into the country.  Contact the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington, D.C. or a Bulgarian consulate for specific information regarding Customs regulations (See http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org; http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/consulates-general-in-the-us

Visa Requirements

Please check regularly the visa and travel requirements prior to your trip, as regulations change!  
U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspeople to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s):                 State 

Department Visa Website 

A valid United States passport is required for U.S. citizens who are not also Bulgarian nationals.  Bulgarian immigration authorities ask all foreigners to declare the purpose of their visit at the border or upon arrival and to provide their intended address for the duration of their visit. The U.S. passport must be valid for at least three months from the expected date of departure from Bulgaria. U.S. citizens who enter the country on tourist passports are authorized to stay without a visa for a total of 90 days within a six-month period. U.S. citizens traveling on regular tourist passports cannot stay more than a total of 90 days in Bulgaria without a Bulgarian visa. This law is strictly enforced. Travelers who depart the country after a 90-day stay will not be able to re-enter Bulgaria without a visa before the six-month period expires. 

U.S. official, service, and diplomatic passport holders must obtain a Bulgarian visa prior to arrival. If you are traveling on a U.S. official, service, or diplomatic passport, you will not be allowed to enter Bulgaria without a visa. Please plan ahead and apply for your visa early.

• Visit the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Bulgarian Embassy website for the most current visa information.
• While in Bulgaria, always carry your U.S. passport or a Bulgarian residence permit, known in Bulgaria as lichna karta. U.S. passport cards are recognized as proof of citizenship and identity but are not sufficient for international air travel to and from Bulgaria.

Visitors are required to maintain medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Bulgaria. You may be required to present proof of medical insurance at the port of entry. Visa issuance can take 30 - 40 calendar days.  “D” visas are issued for employment purposes, missionary purposes, or if you are married to a Bulgarian citizen, among other reasons. Travelers with an official or diplomatic passport, who intend to stay in Bulgaria for less than 90 days, within six months, must secure a Bulgarian visa type “C” from a Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate prior to arrival. U.S. citizens must apply for a visa at a Bulgarian Embassy/Consulate in the United States or in their country of legal residence. U.S. citizens are also advised that if their purpose of stay in Bulgaria changes (i.e., work or marriage status), they must leave Bulgaria and apply again for a D-visa. 
See https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/bulgaria.html for more information. 

All U.S. citizens receive an entry stamp in their passports. U.S. citizens who do not have an entry stamp in their passports will encounter difficulties when they try to leave Bulgaria. When entering Bulgaria by car, if the vehicle has been recorded on the passport, the owner may not leave the country without the automobile. Sometimes vehicles are erroneously recorded on the passport of passengers in the car, who then have problems trying to leave the country without the vehicle.  

Holders of Schengen visas can visit and stay in Bulgaria without Bulgarian visas within the validity of their visa, but no longer than 90 days within a six-month period. Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008; http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/consular-section/, main switchboard (202) 387-7969. Key Business Links: https://bg.usembassy.gov/business/

Currency

Bulgaria’s currency is the: 

• lev, or leva - лева
• coins are stotinki - стотинки,
• currency code is ‘BGN,’ and 
• currency symbol is лeв (lev).

See https://www.bnb.bg/?toLang=_EN&toLang=_EN

Note: Bulgaria will join the Eurozone on January 1, 2026, when it will begin using the euro as its official national currency. 

The Bulgarian lev is pegged to the euro.

As of October 2025, one U.S. dollar equals 1.67 Bulgarian lev. Visitors should exchange cash at banks or exchange bureaus. Banks and exchange bureaus do not accept traveler’s checks. Damaged or worn U.S. dollar bank notes are often not accepted at banks or exchange bureaus.  

Due to new check clearing restrictions introduced by U.S. banks for cashing of personal and Treasury checks outside the United States, local banks no longer provide check-cashing services for personal and Treasury checks. The United Bulgarian Bank serves as a Western Union agent and provides direct transfer of money. There are many Western Union branches in major towns and cities. Many shops, hotels, and restaurants, with the exception of major hotels, do not accept credit cards.  

ATM cash machines are increasing in Sofia and other major cities, but bankcards, debit cards and credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud or other criminal activity. Be wary of skimming devices placed on automated tellers. Only use ATMs inside major institutions such as banks or major malls.  Limit your use of credit cards to hotel bills or bills from other major vendors. 

Telecommunications/Electric

Bulgaria has a very good telecommunications infrastructure, with three mobile providers (Vivacom, A1, and Yettel) and numerous wireless services for business travelers. Wi-Fi hotspots exist throughout Sofia (mainly at coffee shops, big restaurants, malls, hotel lobbies, public parks and at the Sofia Airport) and in the larger towns (Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas).

To call the U.S. from Bulgaria dial: 00+1+Area Code + the land line or mobile number.
To call Bulgaria from the U.S. dial: 011+359+City Code + land line or mobile number

Bulgaria’s country code is +359 followed by the appropriate area code of the city. Every city in Bulgaria has its own code: Sofia -2, or 02, Plovdiv-32, Varna-52, Bourgas-56, Stara Zagora-42, and Veliko Tarnovo-62.

Voltage and plugs are designed for 220 volts. Unless your computer or appliance is dual voltage or designed for 220-230 volts (type F; three cylindrical prongs) you will need a converter or transformer. The cycles (Hz) are 50 per second.

Transportation

Rental cars, buses, subways, taxis, and trains are available in most Bulgaria cities.

Taxis

• Taxis are prevalent throughout Bulgaria. Travelers are advised to use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield. The standard rates normally range between BGN 1.20 and 1.40 (72 U.S. cents at exchange rates in September 2025) per kilometer. You will be expected to pay the amount posted, so it is advisable to check the rates before entering the taxi and to have small bills on hand, as taxi drivers will often state they do not have change for larger bills. 
• At the airport, there is a clearly marked exit that leads travelers to metered taxis at a fair rate and a booth to assist with obtaining taxi services. Travelers should inquire about the fare before entering a taxi and always account for all luggage, packages, and hand-carried items before paying and releasing a taxi. A 10-12 percent tip is recommended.
  •    There are no ride-sharing taxi services in Bulgaria.
  •    Sofia Airport is approximately 20-30 minutes from downtown Sofia and can cost approximately 25-30 BGN one way.
  •    Sofia’s highly congested rush hours are from 8 AM to 9 AM and 5 PM to 8 PM

Subway

Sofia’s subway system is new and has four lines. More on the Sofia metro system can be found here: https://www.metropolitan.bg/en/ 
See the following website for more information about the Sofia public transport and prices of tickets: https://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/common 

Car rentals

Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar are available at the Sofia Airport and at most large hotels. Consistent with other EU member states, most car rental companies in Bulgaria require a valid international driver’s license.  A license issued by a U.S. state may not be sufficient and visitors are encouraged to check with the rental company in advance.

Airports

• Sofia (SOF), Burgas (BOJ), Varna (VAR) and Plovdiv (PDV) constitute Bulgaria’s major airports
• The country is served by major European airlines, including Aegean Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, ITA Airways, El Al, LOT, Lufthansa, TAROM, Turkish Airlines and co-sharing with Iberia, Finnair, KLM, Air France, TAP and SAS, and Air Serbia. 
• Low-cost carriers EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Norwegian, Climber, Sky Express and Pegasus connect Bulgaria’s airports with the rest of Europe. 
• Many American carriers, such as United/Continental Airlines, Delta and American Airlines operate code shared flights to Sofia. Bulgaria Air also operates international flights as well as domestic service between Sofia, Varna and Burgas. 
• Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Flydubai offer connections to the Middle East and Asia. 

Language

Bulgarian is a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet.  However, English is widely used when conducting business, as most young Bulgarians speak and understand English extremely well. Many Bulgarians also have some comprehension of the Russian language.  German and French are also spoken.  

Health 

The U.S. Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad so that they can confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States, unless supplemental coverage is purchased. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including medical evacuations.  

Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service, and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost more than USD 50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have purchased overseas medical insurance have found it to be lifesaving when a medical emergency has occurred.  

When consulting your insurer prior to your trip, please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses incurred.

• Dial 112 for Emergency. ‘112’ is the common emergency telephone number that can be dialed free of charge from most mobile telephones for police, ambulance, or fire
• Pharmacies (“аптека” – with a green cross) supply simple medications, such as aspirin, vitamins, band-aids, ointments and cold medications. For other medications you will need a prescription.
•  List of Local Doctors/Hospitals: https://bg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ MK
• Recommended Vaccinations: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bulgaria?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001#vaccines-and-medicines

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Local Time is EET (UTC+2-3 hours; Eastern Europe Time and Easter Europe Summertime) + 7 or 8 hours. Daylight savings time starts in late March and ends in late October.
As in the rest of Europe, business activity slows considerably during July and August, when many Bulgarians take their extended summer holidays. 

Bulgarians work a 40-hour week, Monday through Friday. Businesses open at 8:30 or 9:00 AM and close between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.  It may be difficult to schedule meetings on Friday afternoons during the summer months, as Bulgarians leave early for weekend getaways.  
General business Hours:
•    Offices and Organizations – 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
•    Banks – 08:30 AM – 05:00 PM
•    Department Stores – 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
•    Supermarkets – 07:00 AM – 10:00 PM 
•    There are many 24/7 stores in Bulgaria, especially in the larger cities.
 

The U.S. Embassy is closed on U.S and Bulgarian holidays. 
2026 Holidays are listed on the US Embassy website. 

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Personal items brought in temporarily by travelers, such as laptop computers, software, and exhibition materials, should be declared upon arrival. Travelers should declare jewelry, cameras, and other valuables upon arrival to avoid difficulties when departing. The declaration form should be presented to Customs upon departure.
Bulgarian law requires all travelers entering or leaving the EU through Bulgaria with EUR 10,000 (currently around USD 10,984.70) or more, in cash, to declare the sum to Bulgarian customs. 

This EU initiative assists efforts to tackle crime and improve security by cracking down on money laundering, terrorism, and criminality. Travelers carrying currency in excess of the above amount, should use the red “Something to Declare” line, and not the green “Nothing to Declare” line, even if specifically invited into the green line by a custom’s official.

Travelers who attempt to leave Bulgaria with the equivalent of BGN 30,000 (USD 16,871.94) or more must complete a Customs declaration stating: the origin of the money, and a certificate from the Bulgarian regional internal revenue service proving that they do not owe taxes, unless the sum is less than the amount originally reported when initially brought into the country.  Contact the Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington, D.C. or a Bulgarian consulate for specific information regarding Customs regulations (See: http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org).

Travel Related Web Resources

• https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/bulgaria.html
• https://step.state.gov/step/
• http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org
• http://bulgariatravel.org/en/ 
• http://travel.state.gov
• http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/consular-services/
• http://www.bnb.bg/?toLang=_EN
• https://bg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/
• www.cdc.gov
• https://www.parliament.bg/en/