Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (March 11, 2022)
Location: Bulgaria
Event: Ministry of Health Order Update and Extension
Under the Bulgarian Ministry of Health order, countries are classified as green, orange, or red zones based on their COVID-19 risk. As of March 10, 2022, the United States will be considered an Orange Zone country. Please note that the current Bulgarian entry requirements are based on the country of departure only—not on citizenship and not on countries through which you transit. That means U.S. Citizens starting their travel in the United States (or from other Green or Orange Zone countries) may enter Bulgaria under the conditions listed in the new Order of the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. See our COVID-19 information page for details.
Please note that U.S. citizens arriving from Red Zone countries are prohibited from entering Bulgaria unless they meet one of the exceptions in the Ministry of Health Order.
Exceptions: Those excepted from the Red zone entry restrictions include:
- Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent or long-term residence status in Bulgaria and their immediate family members;
- Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation and their family members arriving from a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation;
- Medical professionals, medical researchers, social workers, and their supervisors when traveling related to their duties;
- Workers involved in the supply of medicinal products, medical devices and personal protective equipment, medical equipment, including its installation and maintenance;
- Foreign officials, diplomats, members of the administrative and technical staff of foreign missions, officials of international organizations, military personnel, and humanitarian workers in the performance of their duties and their family members;
- Persons traveling for humanitarian reasons and their family;
- Students who hold long term “D” study visas;
- Foreign citizens, who are to receive a decree under the Bulgarian Citizenship Law for acquiring a Bulgarian citizenship, certified by a letter from the Minister of Justice;
- In all other cases persons travelling from red zone countries may enter Bulgaria with the permission of the Minister of Health. All those seeking this exemption must present a letter from the Minister of Health, which includes the reasons for applying for the entry exemption;
- The Department of State has issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do Not Travel”) for Bulgaria.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Bulgaria (“Avoid travel”).
Actions to Take:
- Contact the American Citizen Services Section at ACS_Sofia@state.gov if you are a U.S. citizen in need of assistance.
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators for any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. If your travel has been disrupted, please contact your airline.
- Consult the CDC website on how to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Bulgaria.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S.
Contact Information:
- U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria
+359-2-937-5100 (business hours)
+359-2-937-5101 (after hours—emergencies only—arrest, death, or danger to the safety and security of U.S. citizens)
ACS_Sofia@state.gov
https://bg.usembassy.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Bulgaria Country Information
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
