Country Map and Sheet
Country profile
Official name – Republic of Bulgaria
Proper name – Република България (bg) – Republika Bǎlgarija (bg)
Continent – Europe
Population (106th) – 7,153,784 inhabitants (2016)
Density – 65 inhabitants / km²
Area – 110,912 km²
Official language – Bulgarian
GDP (82nd) – $50.242 billion USD (2016)
Currency – New Lev (BGN)
Nature of the State – Republic
Head of State – President Rumen Radev
National Day – March 3
Tourists – 7,311,000 people (2016)
Telephone code – +359
Learn Bulgarian
On this site www.loecsen.com/en/learn-bulgarian you can quickly learn Bulgarian using a simple and effective method. Pass the different levels, and learn written and spoken Bulgarian according to different situations and varied themes. In Bulgaria, the Cyrillic alphabet is used. It is therefore not necessarily easy to learn it.
Embassy of France in Bulgaria
The information office of the Bulgarian Tourist Office is located in downtown Sofia, very close to the great Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
The French Embassy in Bulgaria is the diplomatic representation of the French Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria. It is located at 27 rue Oborichté, in the heart of Sofia, the capital of the country, and its ambassador since 2016 has been Éric LEBÉDEL, who has been succeeded since July 2019 by Florence Robine, Ambassador of France in Bulgaria.
Practical guides, city maps, addresses, in short, everything we hope to find in a tourist office, not only about Sofia, but also for the whole of Bulgaria.
27, Doctor's Garden, rue Oborichté 29, 1504 Sofia, Bulgarie
+359 2 965 1100
National Tourist Infomation Center
The information office of the Bulgarian Tourist Office is located in downtown Sofia, very close to the great Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Practical guides, city maps, addresses, in short, everything we hope to find in a tourist office, not only about Sofia, but also for the whole of Bulgaria.
1, Sv. Nedelya sqr, Old City Center, 1000 Sofia, Bulgarie
+359 88 333 9332
Travel formalities
Bulgaria is now part of the European Union, so you will only need a passport or ID card to enter the country.
You will also be asked for a passport if you arrive from Turkey, so remember to bring it with you.
No particular vaccination is obligatory.
Regarding travel arrangements for COVID-19 measures in Bulgaria, see our article COVID-19 – Practical information for tourists.
Entrance / Stay
European Union nationals are exempt from short- and long-stay visas – they can enter and stay in Bulgaria with a valid passport or national identity card for a stay not exceeding three months, without further formality.
Otherwise, for other citizens, a visa is required.
Since January 1, 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria has been a member of the EU and thus applies the general visa policy of the European Union, in accordance with the conditions of the Accession Treaty.
Currently, Bulgaria only issues national visas, which do not give visitors the right to enter the Schengen area.
Visas are issued by diplomatic and consular representatives of the Republic of Bulgaria, or by representatives of another Member State of the European Union with which Bulgaria has an agreement for the presentation and acceptance of visa applications and the issuance of visas.
The visa types available are:
Airport transit (“A” visa type);
Short-term stay (“C” visa type);
Long-term stay (“D” visa type).
Fees are charged for the issuance of visas, according to tariff rate no. 3.
Visitors can find further information on application procedures and documents required for issuance of visas, as well as the address of consular offices, on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria – www.mfa .bg.
For any other information on Bulgaria and travel advice, go to the official France Diplomatie website at www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs/conseils-par-pays/bulgarie/
Sofia International Airport
Sofia International Airport has Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and is correlated with the Sofia Metro.
To get there, several possibilities
By bus: line 84 and 384 / Taxi: count between 12 and 15 leva (6-8 €) / Metro: Line 2 - count 30 min from the city center.
- For Terminal 2: Sofia Line 2 Metro Station is located next to Terminal 2 of the airport and provides easy access to Sofia City Center. The metro runs from 5am to midnight.
- For Terminal 1: Sofia Airport provides free transport services between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 every 30 minutes between 7am and 7pm.
Shuttle stops in front of both terminals are designated by road signs and markings.
Jet lag
GMT+2 in winter, GMT+3 in summer.
When it's 12 p.m. in Paris, it's 1 p.m. in Sofia.
Bulgaria changes its timetable in spring and autumn on the same dates as other European countries.
Call Bulgaria
Three mobile service operators provide Bulgaria with almost 100% 3G and 4G network coverage both on its territory and in territorial waters.
There is also Internet coverage almost everywhere in the country. In large cities, there are Wi-Fi spots with free Internet access. These are located mainly in shopping malls, railway stations and bus stations.
Communication operators in Bulgaria are:
Vivacom – fixed and mobile telephone services (www.vivacom.bg)
А1 – landline and mobile telephone services (www.a1.bg/bg)
Telenor – fixed and mobile telephone services (www.telenor.bg)
National and international calls can also be made at many Bulgarian post offices (www.bgpost.bg).
From France to Bulgaria
Dial 00, then 359 (Bulgaria code), followed by the number of your correspondent, without the initial 0.
From Bulgaria to France
Dial 00 + 33, then the number of your correspondent without the initial 0. 00 + 32 for Belgium. 00 + 41 for Switzerland.
Internal calls
codes vary widely in size from one place to another – from 2 digits in Sofia (02), they can increase to 4 or even 5 digits in remote areas…
Conversely, numbers have 7 digits in the capital and sometimes only 4 or 5 in the provinces.
As for mobile numbers (9 digits), they are always preceded by a 0.
Please note, on their business cards, Bulgarians tend to systematically indicate +359 and remove the initial 0 from the city code or mobile number. Replace it before dialing a domestic call.
Useful addresses and numbers
Emergency number The unique emergency telephone number 112 used in Europe from a landline or mobile phone has been operational in Bulgaria since October 2008. Police: 166 Medical emergency: 150 (+359 150) Firefighters: 160 Police the route: 165 Sofia Central Post Office – 6 Gurko Street. Consumer service Toll-free number open 24 hours a day.
Currency and Budget
For tourists, Bulgaria is a rather very inexpensive destination. Transport, especially the bus, is a really good plan and really doesn't cost much. The capital Sofia is known to be more expensive than the rest of the country but small budgets will always find accommodation for 10-15 euros per night. You will also eat very well and for really cheap.
The average price of restaurants is really reasonable, between 10 and 15 euros for a complete meal (main course, dessert plus drink).
In short, an ideal destination for small budgets!
Bulgarian Currency
Bulgaria is not yet in the euro zone and the national currency is the Bulgarian lev (plural leva) composed of one hundred stotinki.
But many merchants accept euros and in the main cities credit cards are generally accepted.
Banknotes are in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 leva.
1 euro = 1.95583 BGN
as of 31-8-2017 European Central Bank
1 Lev (BGN) = 0.5113 €
as of 31-8-2017 European Central Bank
You can find information about current currencies on the website of the Bulgarian National Bank: www.bnb.bg.
Foreign Exchange, Banking and Payments
It is very easy to change cash in Bulgaria as there are many banks and exchange offices everywhere (including small towns) which generally offer good rates.
Some of these exchange offices also work on public holidays. Eurochecks can be exchanged at banks.
However, the credit card remains the easiest way to withdraw cash because there are many ATMs.
To get the best exchange rate, make large withdrawals rather than repeating small transactions.
You can also pay in certain hotels, restaurants or gas stations with your Credit Card.
Most Bulgarian hotels and stores now accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards. but it is better to always carry cash with you.
Budget in Bulgaria
For your expenses throughout your stay, plan a budget of 150 to 200 leva per day.
- Hotel
For your stay in Bulgaria, you will find very affordable hotel or accommodation prices, you will generally need to count between 15 and 20 Leva per person, or around 10 euros, with or without breakfast (5 Leva).
But you obviously have to count a little more in big cities like Sofia, Plovdiv or on the shores of the Black Sea (Bourgas, Nessebar, Varna, etc.).
Average price of hotels in Bulgaria
– Cheap: up to 20 Lv (around €10) per person.
– Average prices: 40-60 Lv (around 20 to 30 €) for two.
– More chic: 60-100 Lv (around €30 to €50) for two.
– Luxurious: more than 100 Lev (around €50) for 2.
– Restaurants
The average price of a good meal in Bulgaria is between 15 and 20 leva, or less than 10 euros per person for a complete meal, drink included or even accompanied by a bottle of Bulgarian wine.
But you can just as easily find snacks for 3 to 5 leva.
Average price of restaurants in Bulgaria
– Cheap: less than 10 Lv (around €5).
– Average prices: 10-20 Lv (around 5 to 10 €).
– More chic: more than 20 Lv (around €10).
Bulgaria therefore turns out to be an excellent choice for discovering a country rich in its ecological heritage, its history and its culture without breaking the bank.
Transports in Bulgaria
Airports
Bulgaria has 7 airports including 4 international airports spread across the territory. And the country is served by all major airlines – Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, CSA, Alitalia… With several flights per day mainly towards Sofia. You can take off from all major airports in France – Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux.
Sofia International Airport
Plovdiv International Airport
Stara Zagora Airport
Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport
Varna International Airport
Bourgas International Airport
Ruse Airport
Bus
Bus transport is really a good plan and the best way to travel around Bulgaria inexpensively. Buses serve the main towns and connect villages to the nearest large city. On the main lines, several companies provide high frequencies, really affordable prices and good on-board comfort.
Sofia Metro
The capital of Sofia has its own metro network with 2 main lines in service M1 and M2 which easily serve the entire city. And they connect Sofia International Airport. Recently, extension work also allowed the opening of a 3rd M3 line. Metro map and timetable. Sofia metro trains operate 5 hours.
Trains
Bulgaria is well covered by its railway network. However, Bulgarians often prefer the bus, which is faster and more comfortable. Indeed, BDZ (Balgarski Darjavni Zeleznici – Bulgarian State Railways) is the official company of the Bulgarian railway network. But most trains are quite old.
Taxis
Taxi has become such a common mode of transport in Bulgaria that many Bulgarians prefer it to public transport, especially in Sofia. In Bulgaria, you will find taxis in all major cities in the country. Taxis are recognizable by their yellow paint. A taxi displays three lights on its windshield – red, orange and green.
Find a cheap plane ticket
To find a cheap flight for your plane tickets to Bulgaria, just use Google. Just click on More then Flights. Then select your dates knowing that a Lyon-Sofia ticket as taken in the example costs around 160 euros round trip for your stay in Bulgaria. All you have to do is browse the flight comparators.
Jobs
Jobs.bg allows you to find a job in many diverse fields and sectors of activity where perfect mastery of French will be a real plus in the realization of your projects. In Keywords, simply type the word “french” and you will find many regularly updated advertisements for positions in all fields.
Shopping in Bulgaria
The definition of shopping is browsing stores without necessarily purchasing. In Bulgaria everything will be different, I guarantee you will put your credit card to work. In France we are impulsive consumers and we buy everything and anything. In Bulgaria, the average salary is ten times lower than the French salary.
Invest in Bulgaria
Since its entry into Europe, Bulgaria has benefited from strong economic development which is attracting more and more foreign companies and more particularly French ones because the corporate tax rate is only 10%. To open your Bulgarian company, all you need to do is contact a lawyer who will help you with your procedures.
Living in Bulgaria
It is very easy and pleasant to live in Bulgaria. It’s even a paradise for Westerners because life is very inexpensive – for example, it costs between 3 and 4 euros for a good hearty meal or between 1 and 2 euros for a taxi to return home.
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