Antigua and Barbuda
Last update 16 January 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Antigua and Barbuda
Bulgaria does not have a diplomatic mission in Antigua and Barbuda. If necessary, Bulgarian citizens should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Havana, the Republic of Cuba.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Havana, the Republic of Cuba
Address: 5-ta avenida No 6407, esquina a 66, Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana
Telephone: +537 204 67 66;
Out-of-hours hotline: +535 286 24 49
Working hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 17:00
Opening hours of the Consular Office: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 17:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/kuba
Honorary Consul of Antigua and Barbuda in the Republic of Bulgaria
prof. dr. Ivan Todorov
Office: 1000 Sofia, 27 Vasil Levski Blvd.,
Telephone: +359 2 937 65 38
Fax: +359 2 950 61 54
Е-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://antigua.bg/
For information on Antigua and Barbuda not included in these recommendations and to check for any updates, please contact:
High Commission for Antigua and Barbuda in London
Address: 2nd floor, 45 Crawford Place, London W1H 4LP
Telephone: +20 7258 0070
Fax: +20 7258 7486
General information
General Information
Antigua and Barbuda is an island country located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is in the middle of the Leeward Islands, which are part of the Lesspart er Antilles island group. Antigua and Barbuda are neighbouring Guadeloupe to the south, Montserrat — to the southwest, Saint Kitts and Nevis — to the west, Saint Barthélemy, Saint-Martin and Anguilla — to the northwest. Saint John is the capital city.
Security level:
Travelling to Antigua and Barbuda is generally safe, but there have been incidents of violence over time, including murder, armed robbery and sexual assault of foreigners.
Make sure you stay in a safe place, including if you will be staying on a yacht. Exercise caution at all times and especially when walking in isolated areas, including remote beaches, especially in the evening and at night.
Use only licensed taxis. Be especially careful in the festival season.
Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. If possible, leave valuables and travel documents in a safe. Carry a copy of your travel document.
Healthcare:
The central government hospital has a large capacity, but more serious cases may require emergency transport to another location. Medical care in Antigua and Barbuda can be expensive. Make sure you have adequate medical insurance and affordable funds in case you need to cover medical and transportation costs.
You may dial 999 or 911 for emergency medical care.
Contact your insurance company and let them know in case you are admitted to a medical facility for treatment. Before selecting the services of a private medical facility, you should check the policy applied regarding the prepayment requirement. Private clinics may not accept medical insurance as a means of payment for treatment.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
Under the International Health Regulations a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over1 year of age arriving from countries at risk of the spread of the disease.
A list of countries at risk of yellow fever and countries requiring vaccination can be found at: http://www.who.int/ith/2016-ith-annex1.pdf?ua=1
Dengue fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur at different times of the year.
It is advisable to avoid places with many mosquitoes and to use repellents regularly, especially in the morning and evening hours, due to the risk of contracting Chikungunya virus, Dengue fever and Zika. There are no vaccines to prevent these diseases.
Specifics of the local legislation:
There are severe penalties for all drug and weapon possession offences. Pack yourself your own luggage and do not accept for carrying through customs anything that belongs to someone else, has been purchased by someone else or is being given to you to pass on to a third party.
It is a crime, even for children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Civilians may not import camouflage materials or wear items made of such fabrics.
Certain homosexual acts are also considered illegal under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.
Conditions in local prisons are harsh.
Customs requirements:
Exempt from duty are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco, 1 l of wine or hard liquor, 170 ml of perfume. It is advisable to check for changes in these conditions through the diplomatic missions or customs authorities of Antigua and Barbuda: http://customs.gov.ag/
The import of weapons and drugs is expressly prohibited.
Road traffic:
In Antigua and Barbuda driving is on the left. You must obtain a local temporary driving licence for driving a vehicle. Car hire companies will usually help with this process. You must present a valid Bulgarian driving licence.
Take care when driving on the roads as there are potholes and unmarked speed bumps. Observe the speed limits. Drivers often drive faster than the speed limit.
Pedestrians often walk in car lanes and signs are not always obeyed. Take extra care when driving at night as some roads are unlit.
Don’t stop if you’re flagged down by pedestrians. Keep the car doors locked. In the event of an accident, call the police immediately and stop the vehicle.
Agree the fare in local currency with the driver before hiring a taxi. Payment in US dollars is often possible.
Public transport is available and cheap.
Practical advice:
The electricity is 220/110 V. Dual voltage applicators are recommended.
Every year the most colourful festival of costumes, dances, talents and above all good music takes place in summer.
Local currency:
The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). Usually most credit cards are accepted. British pounds can be exchanged at banks.
EUR 1 = XCD 2.88
USD 1 = XCD 2.70
Climatic characteristics:
The hurricane season in Antigua and Barbuda usually lasts from June to November. It is advisable to monitor the information on: http://severe.worldweather.org/; http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tropical-cyclones.
Travel papers and visas
Travel papers and visa requirements:
Bulgarian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Antigua and Barbuda. A case-by-case check can be made at: http://www.immigration.gov.ag/.
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. There is no specific requirement for the number of blank pages, but it is advisable to have at least two for affixing the appropriate stamps.
All visitors to Antigua and Barbuda must have a return ticket or document proving onward travel.
The period of stay is usually determined upon entry. If you wish to extend your stay, you can apply and pay for the extension through the Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department. Information on specific requirements and fees for continuing your stay: http://www.immigration.gov.ag/general-services/extentions/.
Travellers should have appropriate medical insurance.
Staying beyond the period authorised on entry without complying with the relevant rules and carrying out work without a permit are considered offences under local legislation.
Normally no visa is required for visitors from cruise liners, who usually need a visa, provided they arrive in Antigua and Barbuda in the morning and will depart the same evening on the same day. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check the need for a visa through the cruise company.
Same-day transit travellers, who normally require a visa when entering Antigua and Barbuda, do not normally require one provided they have proof of onward travel. Verification through the airline company is recommended on a case-by-case basis.
For any additional questions not covered in these recommendations, you should consult the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria or the nearest to your country of residence mission prior to travel.
Consideration should also be given to the possibility that some of these conditions may in the meantime be modified by the local authority.
Comprehensive information on visa requirements, conditions for extension of stay, e-visa issuance, obtaining a visa at the border, fees, permit regimes, etc. is available at: http://www.immigration.gov.ag/.
In the case of travel by children under 18 years of age, proof of citizenship, valid travel documents and certified written consent (power of attorney) from one or both parents, as appropriate, must be provided.
Departure fee:
An exit fee of USD 28.00 (XCD 75.00) is payable, which is usually included in airline tickets. It is advisable to check through the travel agency/airline company used or the nearest Antigua & Barbuda Embassy.
Consular service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In case of emergency (lost passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek on-the-spot assistance from a diplomatic mission of an EU Member State to obtain an Emergency Travel Document.
Certifications and legalizations:
The Republic of Bulgaria and Antigua and Barbuda are parties to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents. Therefore, the documents/deeds drawn up in each of the two countries should bear an ‘Apostille’ by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as translated and duly authenticated in order to serve before the authorities of the other country.