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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Bulgaria Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Sofia, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

A. Business Customs

Bulgarians are less formal than Western Europeans from dress to the manner of their business contacts. Meetings, including lunches or dinners, are used as an opportunity to get acquainted and as a basis for developing a relationship of trust. Companies use stand-up evening receptions at hotels, restaurants, trade shows, and even museums and auto showrooms for public relations and to solidify business relationships. Businesspeople may go without a jacket or tie or wear casual clothes in summer.

One charming but confusing custom is that head movements indicating agreement or disagreement are reversed in Bulgaria. The rocking of the head from left-to-right, often with a slight smile, means "yes" while nodding up-and-down indicates "no." But with foreign language fluency growing, some Bulgarians will use head movements in typical western fashion. Therefore, it is best to clarify the situation by obtaining a verbal response.

B. Travel Advisory and Visas

American passport-holders may enter Bulgaria for up to thirty days without a visa or entry fee. A short-term visa for business or tourism obtained before arrival allows a ninety-day stay. The former requirements of statistical cards that must be stamped each day by the traveler's hotel, and registration with the police, have been abolished. Resident businesspeople need to apply for a residence permit, valid up to one year, after arrival in Bulgaria. For further information concerning entry requirements, travelers should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria at 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008, phone: (202) 483-5885 (main switchboard (202) 387-7969) or the Bulgarian consulate in New York City.

Travelers should carry their passport with them at all times. Travelers are subject to arbitrary document checks by the police, and persons traveling without proper identification may be detained while their right to be in the country is verified.

Taxi drivers at Sofia airport often refuse to run their meters and charge arbitrary fees. Visitors should expect to pay $15-$20 for this ride. Travelers who pre-negotiate a fare can avoid the more outrageous overcharging. An alternative is to call ahead for a taxi or use the city bus from the airport. Because incidents of pilferage of checked baggage at Sofia airport are common, travelers should not include items of value in checked luggage.

Petty street crime, much of which is directed against foreigners, and auto theft, continue to be problems. Pickpocket and purse snatching attacks are frequent occurrences, as is theft from automobiles, where thieves smash windows to remove valuables left in sight. While violent crimes against persons are generally low throughout Bulgaria, visitors should exercise caution when approached by strangers or before walking in unfamiliar neighborhoods. American citizens who intend to stay in the country more than two weeks are strongly recommended to register with the Embassy.

Visitors should exchange cash or travelers checks at banks or exchange bureaus. Some exchange bureaus charge commissions on both cash and travelers check transactions which may be high or not clearly posted. Major hotels accept credit cards, but most shops and restaurants do not. ATM cash machines are increasing in numbers in Sofia and other major cities, but bankcards, debit cards and credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud or other criminal activity. Until December 31, 1999, merchants will accept both old levs (BGL) and new levs (BGN). One new lev equals 1,000 old levs.

Although Bulgarian physicians are trained to a very high standard, most hospitals and clinics are generally not equipped and maintained at U.S. or West European standards. Basic medical supplies are widely available, but specialized treatment may not be obtainable. Visitors must pay cash for medical and health services. While there are no vaccinations or special health warnings at this time, travelers should check with their physicians or the State Department for the latest advisory.

The State Department consular information sheet for Bulgaria can be found at:

http://www.mac.doc.gov/eebic/countryr/bulgaria/sta82937.htm

Department of State travel information publications are also available at Internet address: http://travel.state.gov. Travelers may hear recorded information by calling the Department at (202) 647-5225 from a touch tone telephone, or receive information by automated fax by dialing (202) 647-3000.

U.S. business travelers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; phone (202) 512-1800; fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Bulgaria seeking appointment with U.S. Embassy Sofia officials should contact the Commercial Section in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at (359) (2) 963-4062; fax at (359) (2) 980-6850; or e-mail at sofia.office.box@mail.doc.gov.

C.	Holidays

Bulgaria will celebrate the following holidays in 2000:

January 1				New Year's Day
March 3					National Liberation Day
April 30 (varies annually)		Easter 
May 1					Labor Day
May 6					Day of Valor and the Bulgarian 					Army
May 24					Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
September 6				Unification Day
September 22				Independence Day
December 24				Christmas Eve
December 25, 26				Christmas

D. Work Week

Bulgarians work a 40-hour week with businesses open from about 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. During the summer months, scheduling meetings late on Fridays may be difficult as workers tend to leave early for weekend getaways. As in the rest of Europe, business activity grinds to a near halt during the latter part of July and most of August when many Bulgarians take their extended summer holidays.

E. Business Infrastructure

Sofia is served by major European airlines including Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Air, British Airways, Czech Airlines, Lauda Air, LOT, Lufthansa, MALEV, Olympic, Swissair, and Turkish Airlines. Balkan Bulgarian Airlines, the national carrier, provides service to many European and Middle Eastern capitals. Balkan Airlines also offers domestic service between Sofia and Varna and Burgas. Hemus Air flies to short-range domestic and regional destinations. Destinations to other parts of the country may be reached by car, bus or train. Car rental from Hertz, Avis and National is also available.

Sofia has a comprehensive bus, tram and trolley system. Tickets cost BGN 0.25 and can be purchased in newspaper kiosks or special ticket stands. Daily, five-day, and monthly cards are also available. Passengers are on the "honor system" and expected to validate their own tickets after boarding. Occasionally, plainclothes inspectors make spot checks, imposing BGN 2.50 fines on those traveling without tickets. Sofia's subway reaches from the suburb of Lyulin to the western edge of the center city, but it is of yet of little use to the business traveler.

Taxis are more than affordable -- most destinations around the center of the city can be reached for little more than $1. Slightly higher rates apply at night. It is advisable to call ahead to a reputable taxi company for radio dispatch for personal security as well as to avoid overcharges.

The majority of hotels in Bulgaria are at the 2- and 3-star level. In Sofia, there are two 5-star hotels: Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan and the Kempinski Hotel Zografski. Other hotels include the recently built Ambassador Hotel and Castle Hrankov Hotel (both 15 minutes from the city-center) and the Park Hotel Moskva. The Maria Luiza and Gloria Palace are two other good hotels centrally located. The Pliska, Bulgaria and the Grand Hotel Sofia, are lower in price but vary substantially from the top tier hotels in terms of services, comfort and quality. The Princess Hotel (formerly Novotel) is currently under new management and renovation. A Hilton is under construction.

BTC has installed much of central Sofia with digitally-switched telephone lines allowing direct-dial international calls to the rest of Europe and the United States from hotels, offices and residences. AT&T, MCI and Sprint all have access numbers in Bulgaria for credit card and collect calls. In some parts of the country, telephoning can be difficult, as many rural areas still have only old analog switches.

Food in Bulgaria is abundant and delicious. There are many good restaurants in the larger cities and a growing number of very attractive small private restaurants and hotels in the villages. Recently Chinese restaurants have proliferated in Sofia. It is possible to have a good meal for well under $15.

Bulgarian is a Slavic language that uses the Cyrillic alphabet. In business, the usage of English is increasing. Nearly all Bulgarians have some level of Russian language comprehension. German and French are also widely spoken.

E. Temporary Entry of Goods

Personal items brought in temporarily by travelers such as laptop computers, software, and exhibition materials should be declared upon arrival. The declaration form should be presented to Customs upon departure.

Upon entry into and departure from Bulgaria foreign nationals must make a written declaration of negotiable instruments, precious metals in excess of the normal amount for personal and family use, Bulgarian cash over BGN 10, and foreign currency over the equivalent of $1000.