Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Elena POPTODOROVA
Embassy: 1621 22d Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20008
Telephone: 202-387-0174
Fax: 202-234-7973

US Diplomatic Representation
Ambassador: Marcie B. Ries
Embassy: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia
Mailing Address: ul. Kapitan Andreev 1, Sofia 1421 Bulgaria
Telephone: (359)(2) 937-5100
Fax: (359)(2) 9375-320.

Consulate General in:
New York
121 E. 62nd St.,
New York, NY 10021.
(212) 935-4646


Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Bulgaria
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to Washington, U.S.A
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations, NY
U.S Embassy Web Site in Bulgaria


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Bulgaria in 1903. A Consular Agency was established in Sofia on January 12, 1912. It reported to the Consulate General in Bucharest. The first American Consular Agent in Bulgaria was actually a Bulgarian national, Asen Kermekchiev (later Ace Kermek), a businessman, physician, and journalist. Kermekchiev served the United States Government even while working as a field doctor for Bulgaria in the First Balkan War, and was praised for protecting American lives and property while at the front. He also founded the first American Chamber of Commerce in Sofia. Bulgaria was allied with Germany in World War II, and became a satellite of the Soviet Union at the war's end. As Bulgaria emerged from communism in the 1990s, the United States moved to encourage development of multi-party democracy and a market economy.

Bulgaria is a reliable ally in an area of strategic importance to the United States. The U.S.-Bulgarian Defense Cooperation Agreement gives the United States military access to and shared use of several Bulgarian military facilities. The access facilitates joint training between the U.S. military and the Bulgarian and Romanian militaries. Bulgaria has participated in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), European Union (EU), and coalition operations, including in Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Bosnia.

We work closely with the government of Bulgaria in strengthening the rule of law and have strong cooperation in law enforcement.

On any given day, there are approximately 7,000 Americans in Bulgaria. In 2011, approximately 5,900 Bulgarians visited the United States.

The American University of Bulgaria in Blagoevgrad draws students from throughout southeast Europe and beyond, and is the only U.S.-accredited university in the region.

U.S. Assistance to Bulgaria

U.S. Government investment in modernization and NATO interoperability for Bulgaria’s military helps create stronger, more effective Bulgarian military units that can deploy alongside U.S. forces when needed.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Bulgaria is a member of the European Union. Upon its accession to the EU, the country adopted regulations and standards that conform to EU norms. U.S. companies conduct business across the major industry sectors, and the business climate is generally positive. The top foreign investor in Bulgaria is a U.S. company. The United States and Bulgaria have a treaty on avoidance of double taxation and a bilateral investment treaty. U.S. citizens traveling on a U.S. passport for business or tourism purposes can enter and stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days in a 6-month period without requiring issuance of a visa.

Bulgaria's Membership in International Organizations

Bulgaria and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Bulgaria also is an observer to the Organization of American States.

Bilateral Representation

The U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria is Marcie B. Ries; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Bulgaria maintains an embassy in the United States at 1621 22nd Street, NW, Washington DC 20008 (tel. 202-387-0174).

More information about Bulgaria is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Bulgaria Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Bulgaria Page
U.S. Embassy: Bulgaria
History of U.S. Relations With Bulgaria
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Bulgaria check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (BGL) lev
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 359, City Code Sofia 2+4/8D, Plovdiv 32+5/6D, Stara Zagora 35+5/6D



Climate and clothing: Summer temperatures range from 18 C to 30 C (65 F-90 F), but humidity is low. Sweaters are recommended for the cool evenings. By December, the weather is cold with considerable snowfall.


Customs: A valid entry visa is required. Check with the Bulgarian Embassy for specific requirements.

Currency: The lev (pl. leva) is the basic unit; the stotinka (pl. stotinki) is the fractional unit. Leva may not be imported, exported, or freely converted into Western currencies. Personal importation and exportation of dollars by Americans are unrestricted, and no declaration is required.


Health: Apart from winter smog, affecting those with respiratory or sinus problems, Sofia causes no special health problems. Tapwater in the capital is potable. Eating in larger restaurants is advised.


Telecommunications: Local and long-distance telephone and telegraph services are available. Sofia is seven times zones ahead of eastern standard time.


Transportation: There are no direct flights to Bulgaria from the United States. Connections may be made in Frankfurt, London, or Vienna with foreign airlines that serve Sofia. Rail accommodations may be booked from Paris, Frankfurt, or Vienna. Air or rail service links Sofia with the Black Sea resorts near Varna and Burgas.

Sofia has streetcars, trolley-buses, and buses. Taxis are available at stands or by telephone. Cars may be rented. An international driving permit is required. Main roads are good. Snowtires are advisable during October-May.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco........................200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams tobacco

Liquor............................1 litre of spirit and 2 litres of wine

Perfume........................100 grams limited

Objects/ foodstuff...........intended for personal during stay in the holiday

Gifts/souvenirs...............reasonable amount-not for resale

Currency.......................no import/export of bulgarian currency

Agriculture items............refer to consulate

Items that must be declared:
items intended for other persons, antiques, work of art, commercial samples, typewriters, cameras, printed matter and manuscripts, plants, fruits, seeds, firearms/ ammunition for hunting purposes, currency, securities and precious stones and metals.

Note:
the indicated values in local currency are calculated according to the unified state prices for retail sale.

Luggage carried by transitpassengers may be sealed at customs to avoid another check-up at the exit of customs.

Prohibited items:
arms, ammunition, narcotics and porography



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