Bulgaria: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Stay alert
Overall verdict for Bulgaria: Stay alert. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Bulgaria: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Extradition, Medicines
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉Medicines🎁 FreeAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsRelaxed
🚬SmokingRelaxed
🍺AlcoholRelaxed
❤️Sex & datingAllowed, with limits
👕Dress codeRelaxed
🕌ReligionRelaxed
🚗DrivingAllowed, with limits
📷Photo & videoRelaxed
🔪WeaponsAllowed, with limits
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskAllowed, with limits
⚖️Extradition🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesAllowed, with limits
💵Cash & currencyRelaxed
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestRelaxed
How Bulgaria compares
With 2 of 23 topics flagged red, Bulgaria is stricter than 9 of the 34 other countries in Europe (regional average: 2.2). Worldwide, Bulgaria ranks #103 of 148 for strictness (tied with 28 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Extradition: flagged red here, while only 29 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Politics & protest: relaxed here, while 115 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
- Photo & video: relaxed here, while 100 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Bulgaria
- Almost every country separates use, possession and trafficking — and the line between them is a weight, not an intention.
- Being caught with several bags, a scale or cash next to the drug will usually reclassify "use" into "dealing".
- Carrying for a friend counts as your possession. There is no shared-responsibility defence.
Bulgaria at a glance
CapitalSofia
CurrencyBulgarian Lev (BGN)
LanguageBulgarian
Emergency number112
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+359
Time zoneUTC+02:00
Plug typesC · F
Frequently asked questions
Is Bulgaria strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Stay alert. 2 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Extradition), 10 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Bulgaria?
The strictest topics for travellers in Bulgaria are: Drugs, Extradition. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Bulgaria?
In LawsTravels: open Bulgaria, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, dial 112. Capital: Sofia. Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN). Main language: Bulgarian.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +359. Time zone: UTC+02:00. Plug types: C · F.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
LawsTravels