Bulgaria travel advisories

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Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Safety Information
Travel advisories Updated on April 4, 2025, 4:39 a.m.
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通常

The following information has been provided by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The information is subject to change without notice. This is not a comprehensive list, and you are urged to check the most up-to-date information and details.

Table of contents

Entry information for travelers from Japan

No information available

COVID-19 risks

Oct. 19, 2022, midnight

In light of the general improvement in the global infection situation and the fact that the G7 countries have already canceled the designation of levels by country and region, all the new coronavirus infectious disease risk information was announced on October 19. The world is uniformly set to level 1 (please be careful).

Aug. 24, 2022, midnight

On August 24, the infectious disease risk information for 41 countries was changed from level 3 (recommendation to avoid travel) to level 2 (please refrain from non-essential travel), and the infectious disease risk information for 55 countries/regions was changed to level 2. The level has been lowered from (Please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent travel) to Level 1 (Please be careful).

July 25, 2022, midnight

On July 23, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak of monkeypox a "public health emergency of international concern." According to the WHO, more than 16,000 cases of monkeypox infection in 75 countries and regions have been reported so far, and the infection is spreading worldwide.

July 1, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the risk of death and aggravation has decreased, and deregulation at the water's edge and in Japan has also been seen, especially in countries where vaccination is progressing worldwide. I'm on the way. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

May 26, 2022, midnight

Although the infection status of the new corona varies depending on the situation in each country and region, the number of new infections and deaths is declining worldwide, and the risk of death and aggravation is mainly in countries where vaccination is progressing. Is declining, and regulations are being relaxed at the water's edge and in Japan. Based on these trends, the infectious disease risk information level is now available after comprehensively considering the actual conditions of each country / region, such as the status of infection, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures in each country / region. Was reviewed.

April 1, 2022, midnight

The level of infectious disease risk information should be reviewed after comprehensively considering the actual situation of each country / region, such as the number of newly infected people in each country / region, vaccination status, infectious disease control / medical system, and status of various measures. It was made. As a result, infectious disease risk information has been reduced from Level 3 "Recommendation for suspension of travel" to Level 2 "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" in 106 countries.

Nov. 29, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please be informed and try to prevent the infection.

Aug. 13, 2021, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

May 18, 2021, midnight

Coronavirus infections are still spreading worldwide, with more than 160 million confirmed infections and more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Although the number of infected people is decreasing in North America and Europe, the situation continues to require caution, such as the remarkable spread of infection in South Asia.
Based on this situation, the infectious disease risk information level in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, Thailand, East Timor, and Mongolia has been newly set to Level 2 by comprehensively considering various situations including the deterioration of the infection situation. "Please stop unnecessary and unurgent travel" has been raised to Level 3 "Travel Cancellation Recommendation".

Oct. 30, 2020, midnight

As the infection may spread further, please obtain the latest information and try to prevent the infection.

March 25, 2020, midnight

感染がさらに拡大する可能性があるので,最新情報を入手し,感染予防に努めてください。

Local and national news

Information for the past 30 days.

Alert regarding measles overseas

March 28, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
● Measles outbreaks have been reported overseas, and there is a risk of contracting measles at your travel destination.
● If you are traveling abroad, check your vaccination history, and if you do not have a record of having received routine vaccinations, consider getting vaccinated in advance.

[Wide-area information] Notice of consultation desk regarding special fraud cases

Feb. 25, 2025, midnight wide area information
We will issue a "Notice regarding consultation desk for special fraud cases."

Polio awareness (If you are traveling to a polio-endemic country or region, please consider getting additional vaccinations)

Feb. 21, 2025, midnight Wide area information (infectious diseases)
● If you are traveling to a country or region where polio is prevalent, please consider receiving additional vaccinations depending on the local infection situation.
● On May 5, 2014, WHO determined that the polio outbreak was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and has announced that the polio outbreak continues to be a PHEIC.

[Wide-area information] Warning about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 3))

Feb. 20, 2025, midnight wide area information
We would like to warn you about special fraud cases (How to avoid becoming a perpetrator (Part 3)).

Caution regarding overseas travel and stay during Ramadan

Feb. 17, 2025, midnight wide area information
●The period from around Friday, February 28th to around Tuesday, April 1st is the Islamic month of Ramadan and the festival marking the end of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr).
●During past Ramadan and Eid periods, there have been terrorist attacks carried out by international terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and their supporters.
Please make an effort to obtain the latest information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Overseas Safety Website, Tabi-Reji, news reports, etc., and take sufficient care to ensure your safety.

Travel advisories from local embassies and consulates

Information from the past two weeks.

Infectious disease information (meningitis outbreak in Bulgaria)

March 31, 2025, 11:35 p.m.
[Main text]
In Bulgaria, several cases of meningitis are confirmed every year from autumn to winter, but according to the Bulgarian Ministry of Health, eight cases have already been confirmed in 2025. Most of the cases are among infants and school-age children, and some cases have led to severe symptoms and death.

Meningitis is a disease caused by viruses and bacteria, and is transmitted by droplets. It is characterized by early symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, and febrile convulsions, and it is important to receive appropriate treatment early, so if you have any suspicious symptoms, please visit the nearest medical institution immediately.

○ Vaccination is also an effective preventative measure, and in Bulgaria, if you or your guardian wish, you can receive the vaccination for a fee. For specific vaccination instructions, please contact the health inspection center (РЗИ) that has jurisdiction over the area where you are staying.
https://www.mh.government.bg/bg/ministerstvo/vtorostepenni-razporediteli/regionalni-zdravni-inspektsii

Consular Security Section of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria Telephone: (Country code 359) 2-971-2708 (main) (24h)
e-mail: consul.jpn-emb@sf.mofa.go.jp
HP: http://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Twitter (Japanese): https://twitter.com/EmbassyBulgaria
Twitter (Bulgarian): https://twitter.com/EmbassyOfJapan
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/japanemb.bulgaria.anzen
Facebook (Bulgarian): https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Japan-in-Bulgaria-Посолство-на-Япония-в-България-254192337927884/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpembinbulgaria?igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==/
Consulate-General closed days in 2025 → https://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/kyukanbi.html

"Golgo 13's Overseas Safety Manual" now available!
http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html

This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification and the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of three months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than three months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.

Testing of the warning system and "BG Alert" across Bulgaria (April 1)

March 31, 2025, 11:30 p.m.
[Main text]
Tests of the warning system and "BG Alert" will be carried out across Bulgaria on Tuesday, April 1st from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.

○The alarm system will be tested in the following areas, and alarms (sirens) and voice announcements will be made.

Sofia, Burgas, Varna, Kardzhali, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Vratsa, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Pernik, Yambol and the area within 30 km of the Kozlody power plant

○In addition, a test of "BG Alert" will be conducted throughout Bulgaria during the same time period. "BG Alert" is a system that delivers warning messages to personal devices (mobile phones, tablets, some smart watches, etc.) via mobile phone networks in the event of a disaster, emergency, or other situation that poses a threat to life, health, or property. Since the test is conducted using the mobile phone network, messages will be delivered to devices located in Bulgaria on the day of the test, regardless of where people live. A message written in Bulgarian and English will be sent once, and a special ringtone and vibration will be activated even if the device is on silent mode, but it is possible to turn off the reception settings on the device in advance.
https://bg-alert.bg/#/help/phone-settings

*Please remain calm as none of the tests are intended to inform you of an actual disaster or emergency.

Consular Security Section of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria Telephone: (Country code 359) 2-971-2708 (main) (24h)
e-mail: consul.jpn-emb@sf.mofa.go.jp
HP: http://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Twitter (Japanese): https://twitter.com/EmbassyBulgaria
Twitter (Bulgarian): https://twitter.com/EmbassyOfJapan
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/japanemb.bulgaria.anzen
Facebook (Bulgarian): https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Japan-in-Bulgaria-Посолство-на-Япония-в-България-254192337927884/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpembinbulgaria?igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==/
Consulate-General closed days in 2025 → https://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/kyukanbi.html

"Golgo 13's Overseas Safety Manual" now available!
http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html

This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification and the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of three months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than three months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.

Traffic restrictions due to an event in Sofia (from 11:00 a.m. on March 29)

March 28, 2025, 10:30 p.m.
[Main text]
From 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, traffic in the city center of Sofia may be temporarily restricted due to the motorcycle event "Moto Saison 2025."

During the event, motorbikes will gather at Knyaz Alexander I Square and then travel along Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Boulevard, Vasil Levski Boulevard, Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, Tsar Gradsko Boulevard, Peyo K. Yavorov Boulevard, Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Boulevard, Cherni Vlakh Boulevard and Bulgaria Boulevard to the Boyana Residence.

As the parade passes, traffic control will be implemented as necessary, so if you are planning to travel along the above-mentioned routes, please follow the regulations of the authorities and consider adjusting your plans or taking a detour if necessary.

Consular Security Section of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria Telephone: (Country code 359) 2-971-2708 (main) (24h)
e-mail: consul.jpn-emb@sf.mofa.go.jp
HP: http://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Twitter (Japanese): https://twitter.com/EmbassyBulgaria
Twitter (Bulgarian): https://twitter.com/EmbassyOfJapan
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/japanemb.bulgaria.anzen
Facebook (Bulgarian): https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Japan-in-Bulgaria-Посолство-на-Япония-в-България-254192337927884/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpembinbulgaria?igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==/
Consulate-General closed days in 2025 → https://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/kyukanbi.html

"Golgo 13's Overseas Safety Manual" now available!
http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html

This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification and the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of three months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than three months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.

Demonstration information (Demonstration in the center of Sofia: 3/26)

March 25, 2025, 7:15 p.m.


Consular Security Section of the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria Telephone: (Country code 359) 2-971-2708 (main) (24h)
e-mail: consul.jpn-emb@sf.mofa.go.jp
HP: http://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_ja/index.html
Twitter (Japanese): https://twitter.com/EmbassyBulgaria
Twitter (Bulgarian): https://twitter.com/EmbassyOfJapan
Facebook (Japanese): https://www.facebook.com/japanemb.bulgaria.anzen
Facebook (Bulgarian): https://www.facebook.com/Embassy-of-Japan-in-Bulgaria-Посолство-на-Япония-в-България-254192337927884/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpembinbulgaria?igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==/
Consulate-General closed days in 2025 → https://www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/kyukanbi.html

"Golgo 13's Overseas Safety Manual" now available!
http://www.anzen.mofa.go.jp/anzen_info/golgo13xgaimusho.html

This email is automatically sent to the email address provided in your residence notification and the email address registered with Tabi-Regi.
*If you have completed the simple registration for Tabi-Regi and would like to stop receiving emails, please follow the procedure to stop receiving emails from the URL below.
https://www.ezairyu.mofa.go.jp/tabireg/simple/delete
*In order to protect your family, friends, and colleagues in the event of a disaster or unrest, please tell your acquaintances, business travelers, and tourists to file a Residence Notification (for stays of three months or more) or register for a Tabi-Regi (for stays of less than three months) so that information on safety measures can reach as many people as possible.