Gambia
Last update 13 September 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
Select passport type
We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
Republic of the Gambia
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Banjul, the capital of the Gambia. The Republic of Gambia is serviced by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Working hours: 09:00– 17:30
Opening hours of the Consular Office: 09:00 – 12:00 by a preliminary scheduled appointment
Telephone: +234 803 307 8578
Е-mail of the Embassy: [email protected]
E-mail of the Consular Office: [email protected]
Emergency only out-of-hours hotline: + 234 903 000 0275
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
The Republic of Gambia does not have an Embassy accredited to Bulgaria. To obtain visas for Gambia, Bulgarian citizens can apply to the Embassy of the country in Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium.
Embassy of the Republic of Gambia in Brussels, Belgium
Address: Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt 126, B-1050 Brussels
Telephone: +32 2 640 10 49
Fax: +32 2 646 32 77
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.gambiaembassy.be
General information
General Information
Security level:
Overall, the political situation is calm but volatile. The level of crime is relatively high. Particular caution is needed for individual travels in the country.
Security forces checkpoints have been set up along all the main streets in the capital. It is recommended that foreigners visiting the country carry photocopies of their personal documents and leave the originals at the hotel.
Healthcare:
There is a high risk of AIDS infection in the country. Strict personal hygiene is recommended. Particular care should be taken when consuming fresh fruit and vegetables. Water should be boiled or bought bottled.
The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory. For up-to-date information on other mandatory and/or recommended vaccines you may contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country.
Specifics of the legislation:
Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country. It is therefore necessary to observe norms and customs typical of Muslim countries. Refrain from taking photographs. Homosexuality is prohibited and punishable under local law.
Customs requirements:
The import of sums not exceeding 300,000 dalasi is allowed. Violations shall be sanctioned. There are no customs restrictions on the export of local or foreign currency as well as various types of goods.
Road traffic:
Taxis are mainly used in the capital. You need to ask to be told the price in advance as most taxis do not have meters. At the border, it is mandatory to take out insurance for those travelling by car.
Local currency:
The local currency is dalasi.
Travel papers and visas
An international passport valid for at least the duration of your stay in the Gambia. Bulgarian citizens travelling to Gambia for tourism purposes may stay up to 30 days without a visa. For more information, please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Gambia in Brussels and the airline you will be travelling with.
Attention!
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
Bulgarian citizens residing in the Republic of Gambia 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.
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 Banjul, the capital of Gambia.
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 Gambia to Bulgarian citizens must bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Gambia. Then, they need to be certified by the Embassy of Gambia in Brussels. The Consular Office at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Brussels can authenticate the seals of the Gambian Embassy in the Belgian capital. Once the documents have been so prepared, they must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized company in Bulgaria and certified by the Department of Certifications and Legalizations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.