Bulgaria : Country overview

Geography

• Full country name: Republic of Bulgaria 
• Population: 7.1 million
• Border countries: Romania (north), Greece and Turkey (south), Macedonia and Serbia (west). The Black Sea borders on the east. 
• Climate: temperate; the winters are cold and wet with snow, while the summers tend to be hot and dry.  
• Terrain: mountainous with large valleys and plains and a coastline along the Black Sea. 
• Natural hazards: earthquakes, forest fires in the summer, avalanches in the mountain regions.

Living in Bulgaria

• Cost of living: it is more common to own a property in Bulgaria than to rent. Rental properties are available however and prices vary depending on the location. Some food items are quite a bit cheaper compared to those in the UK or other EU countries. Popular areas such as the ski resorts or seaside locations can be considerably more expensive.
• Utilities: voltage in Bulgaria is 220 volts AC and two-pin continental plugs are used. The majority of homes in the country use electricity for heating. Properties rarely have a supply of gas although this is being introduced in the large cities.
• Internet domain: .bg
• Health: the health system is run by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which operates quite similarly to the NHS in the UK. People who work pay a contribution to the fund through their wage. If you seek a treatment in Bulgaria, it is advisable that you provide your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You are entitled to any immediate healthcare that is necessary for your condition. Emergency healthcare is administered to all. Vaccinations which are recommended if you travel to Bulgaria are hepatitis A and B and possibly typhoid and rabies, depending on any activities you intend to do or if you wish to eat and drink away from the major hotels and restaurants. The food is safe, but be careful when you buy meat in the summer months. The water is also generally safe to drink but in big cities and sea resorts it might be better if you buy bottled mineral water.  
• Laws and customs: drug possession is a crime and can lead to imprisonment. Any sexual offences are treated very seriously by the authorities. Misbehaviour in public places and vandalism when drunk is not tolerated and you might be taken to the police station overnight. It is illegal to drive after drinking alcohol and the police can stop any car and request a check of documents (driving licence and registration certificate of the vehicle). Smoking in public places has not been completely banned yet and some venues have self-contained designated smoking areas. Bulgaria has been seriously penalised by the EU due to concerns about corruption and organised crime but it is highly unlikely that you as a foreigner will encounter this aspect of Bulgaria. 

Economy and finance

• Currency: Lev 
• Type of economy: free market economy since its end as a communist country in 1991.
• Health of economy: Bulgaria’s economy grew at a rate of 6% between 2004 and 2008 and its joining of the European Union in 2007 helped with foreign investment. There has been committed economic reform but the economic downturn had a negative impact on the country and its GDP contracted and then stagnated in 2010. There are predictions that the economy will grow in 2011 but advances will be slow. 
• Unemployment rate: 9.5%
• Main exports: agricultural products, textiles, iron and steel, machinery and tobacco.

Culture

• People: 83.9% Bulgarians, 9.4% Turks, 4.7% Roma, 2% other
• Major religion: Orthodox Christianity 
• History: See BBC Timeline: Bulgaria 
• Local etiquette: Bulgarian family life and its values are very important in the country. Senior members of the family are treated with a great deal of respect. If you are introduced to a group of people ensure you shake hands with the most senior member first. When visiting someone’s home as a dinner guest it is usual to take a gift such as some flowers or alcohol. Dining in Bulgaria is quite informal.

Politics

• Type of government: Parliamentary democracy   
• Major political parties: Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria – GERB, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Movements for Rights and Freedom (MRF), Blue Coalition, Ataka.

Travel advice

Find the latest travel advice and a traveller’s checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.