Practical A–Z

EU Citizens

Bulgaria has been an EU member since 2007 and part of the Schengen Area (air and sea borders) since 2024. As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa — a valid ID card or passport is sufficient. Children need their own identification document.

Stay: Unlimited for EU citizens. For stays over 3 months: registration with the local police is recommended.

Swiss Citizens

Same regulations as EU citizens — passport or ID is sufficient, no visa required.

Currency & Payment

The currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN), pegged to the Euro: 1€ = 1.9558 BGN. Euro adoption is planned for the coming years.

• Card Payment: Widespread in Sofia, Plovdiv, and along the coast. In rural areas, small restaurants, and markets, cash is often needed.
• ATMs (Банкомат): Available everywhere. Watch out for your bank's fees. Never accept the "conversion to Euro" at the ATM (Dynamic Currency Conversion) — always withdraw in BGN!
• Exchange Offices: Be cautious with exchange offices in tourist areas — some charge hidden fees. Best option: withdraw cash at an ATM.

Bulgarian

The official language is Bulgarian — a South Slavic language written in Cyrillic script. For German-speaking travelers, the language is not easily accessible, but a few basic phrases can open doors and hearts:

Foreign Languages

English is well spoken by younger people in Sofia and the tourist coastal areas. In rural areas and among older Bulgarians, communication in English is often difficult. Russian is understood by the older generation (similar language, same script). German is rarely spoken, but some Bulgarians who have worked in Germany speak it surprisingly well.

Health

Bulgaria has an adequate healthcare system — in Sofia and larger cities, there are modern private clinics (Tokuda Hospital, Acibadem City Clinic) with international standards. In rural areas, medical care is simpler. No special vaccinations are required — standard vaccinations (tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A/B) should be up to date.

• EHIC: The European Health Insurance Card is accepted in public facilities. Nevertheless: A travel health insurance is strongly recommended, especially for mountain sports and active holidays.
• Pharmacies (Аптека): Well-equipped and widely available. Many medications that require a prescription in Germany are available here without one. Prices are significantly lower than in Germany.
• Drinking Water: In Sofia and most larger cities, drinkable. Sofia's tap water comes from the Vitosha Mountains and is excellent. In rural areas and on the coast: better to use bottled water.
• Ticks: In wooded areas and mountains from spring to autumn, there is a risk of ticks. TBE vaccination is recommended for hikers. Check your body after hikes.

Safety

Bulgaria is a safe travel destination. Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. The usual precautions are sufficient:

Emergency Number: 112 (works for police, fire brigade, and ambulance services). In Sofia: Tourist police in the city center.

The Best Souvenirs

• Rose Oil & Rose Cosmetics: THE quintessential Bulgarian souvenir. Genuine rose oil (Rosa damascena) is expensive (from 20€ for 2ml), but rose water, rose creams, and rose soap are affordable and of excellent quality. Best bought directly in the Valley of Roses.
• Rakia: A bottle of good rakia (Troyan plum rakia or Burgas 63) costs 10–25 BGN (5–13€) and makes a perfect gift. Observe duty-free limits (1 liter of spirits from EU countries: no problem).
• Ceramics & Pottery: Handmade pottery from Troyan (typical "drip" pattern in brown, green, and blue) is beautiful and inexpensive. Cups, plates, jugs from 5 BGN (2.50€).
• Bulgarian Yogurt: Difficult to transport, but yogurt starter culture (Lactobacillus bulgaricus) is available as a dry powder — allowing you to make real Bulgarian yogurt at home.
• Icons: Hand-painted Orthodox icons on wood — from tourist items (from 10 BGN) to genuine artworks (from 100 BGN). In Veliko Tarnovo (Samovodska Charshiya) and Sofia.
• Ljutenitsa: The spicy pepper-tomato paste in a jar — available in every supermarket from 3 BGN. The perfect gift for foodies.

General Tips

• Tipping: In restaurants, 10% is customary but not mandatory. In cafes: leave small change on the table. Taxi drivers: round up.
• Opening Hours: Shops: Mon–Sat 10 AM–8 PM. Museums: Tue–Sun 10 AM–6 PM (often closed on Mondays). Restaurants: 11 AM–11 PM.
• Electricity: 230V, Type C/F — German plugs fit, no adapter needed.
• EU Roaming: Your German mobile contract works in Bulgaria without additional costs — calls, internet, and SMS as at home.
• Holidays: March 3 (Liberation Day), May 24 (Day of the Cyrillic Script), September 6 (Unification Day), September 22 (Independence Day). On holidays, shops and museums may be closed.
• Photography: In Orthodox churches, photography is often prohibited or only allowed without flash. Observe signs and ask if in doubt.