Madagascar
Last update 21 April 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
Republic of Madagascar
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in the capital city of Antanarivo. For consular protection, certification of Power of Attorney, issue of ID documents etc., Bulgarian citizens staying in Madagascar can use the services of the Consular Department of the Bulgarian Embassy in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
Address: 1071, Church St., 0083 Hatfield, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
Telephone: +27 012 342 37 20; 342 79 41
Fax: +27 012 342 37 21
Office hours: 09.00 - 12.00 (Mon to Fri)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/southafrica
The Embassy of Madagascar in Moscow has been accredited for Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in Moscow, Russian Federation
Address: 5, Koursovoy Pereolok, 119034 Moscow
Tel: +70 95 290 02 32
Fax: +70 95 202 34 53
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ambamadagascar.ru
General information
general information
Local currency
Malagasy ariary (MGA)
You are advised to have some USD, EUR, cheques or credit cards on you.
Crime and security
Visitors are recommended to pay special attention to their security. Avoid travelling at night. Carry a copy of your ID document and only a small amount of cash on you. Avoid travelling in the interior of the country. The criminality rate is high, with kidnaps and thefts in cities and tourist centres. Somali pirates might be seen in Malagasy territorial waters.
Legislation specifics
Homosexuality is forbidden in Madagascar, as well as abuse of under-aged people (under 21 years of age). Such activities are punishable by law.
Customs requirements
You can bring up to 400,000 MGA and an unlimited amount of foreign currency into Madagascar, but amounts over 7,500 EUR need to be declared. You can import goods for personal use such as 500 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500g of tobacco, and 1 litre of alcohol, duty-free. The import of meat, salami and vegetables is not allowed. Expensive electronics (cameras, laptops) need to be declared.
Taking local currency over 400,000 MGA out of the country is prohibited, and the amount of foreign currency allowed to be taken out of the country is limited to the amount declared upon entry.
Road traffic
If you travel by car you need to provide your insurance at the border, when entering Madagascar. If you need to take a taxi, it is advisable that you negotiate the fee in advance. Please, be extra careful when travelling by car after dark. Besides a Bulgarian driving licence you need to have an international one as well.
Healthcare
Low level of healthcare.
Tap water is not good for drinking; it can be used for washing only after boiling it first.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens, travelling to Madagascar (holders of ordinary, official or diplomatic passports)need a visa, which they can obtain from the Embassy of Madagascar in Moscow.
In order to enter the country, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of your entry into Madagascar.
Special immunisations are not required.
The latest information on vaccines necessary for Madagascar can be obtained from the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Sofia, tel. +359 2944 69 99 221.
Practical advice
There is a danger of cyclones between January and April. Drinking more fluids and eating low-fat food, as well as avoiding alcohol, is advisable.
Children’s travel
There are no special requirements, but it is advisable for children to travel with separate passports.
Competitive service
For any consular issues, all Bulgarian citizens (staying either short-term or long-term) in Madagascar, can refer to the Bulgarian Embassy in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
For emergencies outside working hours, during official holidays or at weekends, please call mobile tel. +27 79 893 7336.
Emergency Travel Document:
In cases of emergency - damaged, lost or stolen passport - Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document from an Embassy of a Member State of the EU in Madagascar.
Certifications and Legalisations:
For all Bulgarian citizens’ documents, issued by authorities in Madagascar, to be recognised by Bulgarian institutions, they need a stamp by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar. Then they need to be certified by the Embassy of Madagascar which is accredited for Bulgaria (in this case – in Moscow). The signature and the stamps of the Consular Department are verified by the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow as well.
Thus prepared, the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorised translation agency in Bulgaria, and the translation needs to be certified by the Certifications and Legalisations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.