Equatorial Guinea
Last update 16 August 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Equatorial Guinea
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in Malabo. Bulgarian citizens residing in Equatorial Guinea on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Telephone: +234 9038600017;+234 8033078578
Emergency only out-of-hours hotline: +234 903 000 0275
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:30
Opening hours of the Consular Office: 09:00 – 12:00
Е-mail of the Embassy: [email protected]
E-mail of the Consular Office: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
The Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Moscow is accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Moscow
Address: Moscow 119017, Pogorelsky Per. 7, Blgd 1
Telephone/Fax: +7 495 953 2766; +7 495 953 3563
Honorary Consul of Equatorial Guinea in Bulgaria
Mr. Vladimir KISYOV
Plovdiv 4000, 6A Slivnitsa St., floor 1
Telephone: +359 2 888 704 027
Fax: +359 32 650 599
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
When traveling in mainland Equatorial Guinea, particular attention to your own safety is required. Do not travel to the north of the country, near the border with Cameroon, where armed groups and criminal gangs operate.
The political situation in the country is calm, but you should bear in mind that certain events (such as spontaneous demonstrations) may involve an increased presence of police, military and security forces on the streets, which is not always announced in advance. If you do not produce your identity documents when requested, you may be arrested.
The risk of terrorism is not high, but the growing global threat of terrorist acts, often targeting foreigners, should be taken into account.
The level of crime in Equatorial Guinea is not high compared to neighbouring countries.
However, there have been isolated reports of collectively hired taxis being attacked for the purpose of robbery. It is advisable not to hire taxis together with strangers, especially at night.
Healthcare:
Medical services in the country do not meet the European standards.
Common diseases in Equatorial Guinea are malaria, cholera and diseases caused by contaminated water, about 5% of the population are carriers of AIDS.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
It is mandatory to present a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever and poliomyelitis.
Customs requirements:
In Equatorial Guinea, you can import or export up to USD 4,000 or the equivalent in local currency, which must be declared.
The import of alcohol is prohibited.
Specifics of the legislation
Narcotics use and possession is usually punishable by imprisonment.
It is strictly forbidden to photograph the presidential palace, ports, airports and military sites, for which you can be arrested. Permission from the Ministry of Information and Tourism is required to photograph any other sites.
Always carry copies of personal documents on you. Failure to do so upon inspection shall result in detention.
Road traffic:
Roads in the capital Malabo are paved, but the road network in the countryside is not well maintained.
In many places there are checkpoints at which you are required to produce your identity documents on request and to explain your reason for being in the area. Failure to follow the rules may result in detention.
For travel outside the capital city of Malabo, permission is required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The authorities often close the borders. Inform yourself about the current situation before travelling by car.
Practical advice:
Be careful when eating fruit and vegetables — after washing them, do not eat them immediately, but leave them in sunlight for 10—15 minutes.
Water should be boiled or bought bottled.
Although there are no relevant prohibitions in legislation, traditional society in Equatorial Guinea stereotypes the display of sexual orientation.
Local currency:
Central African franc (CFA franc)
Credit cards can only be used at the offices of some major airlines (AirFrance, Iberia and Lufthansa). ATMs are available in small numbers only in the capital, Malabo, and in the economic center, Bata. Not all of them accept international credit and debit cards.
Travel papers and visas
An international passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country.
Bulgarian citizens traveling to Equatorial Guinea (holders of regular, official and diplomatic passports) need a visa, which can be obtained at the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Moscow. Diplomatic passport holders can obtain a visa at any embassy of Equatorial Guinea.
Your passport must have at least one completely blank page so that the entry visa can be affixed to it. There should be no other visa stamps on the back of this page other than the border control stamps.
Competitive service
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to Bulgarian citizens must bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea.
They should then be certified either by the Bulgarian Embassy in Abuja (in this case a prior certification by the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Abuja is also required) or by the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea in Moscow (in this case the certification by the Consular Office of the Embassy of Equatorial Guinea is also certified by the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow).
Thereafter, the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized Translation Agency in Bulgaria, and the translation certified by the Department of Certification and Legalization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
European Emergency Travel Document:
In extreme situations — in case of damage, loss or theft of a passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document at an Embassy of an EU Member State in Malabo.