Malawi
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
Select passport type
Republic of Malawi
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Lilongwe. Malawi is serviced by the Embassy in South Africa.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pretoria
Address: 1071 Church street, 0083 Hatfield, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
Telephone: +27 012 342 37 20; 342 79 41
Fax: +27 012 342 37 21
Working hours: 08:00 – 16:30
Opening hours: 09:00 – 12:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.mfa.bg/embassies/southafrica
The Embassy of Malawi in Berlin is accredited to Bulgaria
Embassy of the Republic of Malawi in Berlin
Address: Westfealische Strasse 86, 10709, Berlin, Germany
Telephone: +49 0 308431540
Fax: +49 0 3084315430
Consular: [email protected]
Economic: [email protected]
Tourism: [email protected]
Info: [email protected]
Website: www.malawiembassy.de
General information
Security level:
Travelers are advised to pay particular attention to their personal safety.
Specifics of the legislation:
A large amount of marijuana is illegally produced and sold in Malawi.
Violations in this respect shall be severely punished according to local law. They also apply to tourists.
It is against the law to purchase rough gemstones.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malawi and punishable by up to five years in prison.
Demonstrative homosexual behaviour in public places is not tolerated, nor is free behaviour between members of the opposite sex.
Nudism is prohibited.
Healthcare:
If necessary, it is recommended to use the services of the mission hospitals only.
A number of infectious diseases are widespread, including AIDS.
Mosquitoes spread various diseases.
Be careful when using fruits and vegetables.
For up-to-date information on mandatory and/or recommended vaccines you may contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country. Yellow fever vaccine is administered at the following regional health inspectorates: Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate; Varna RHI; Burgas RHI; Pleven RHI; Plovdiv RHI; Blagoevgrad RHI and Ruse RHI.
Customs requirements:
You can bring an unlimited amount of foreign currency into the country, but it must be declared.
You can import 200 cigarettes or 225 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of alcohol, 1 litre of beer and 1 litre of wine into the country duty-free.
The import of drugs and narcotics of any kind is prohibited.
Hunting weapons may only be imported with a permit.
Exports from the country are allowed up to 3 thousand Malawian Kwacha per person.
Road traffic:
If you are traveling by car, you should present insurance at the border when entering Malawi.
Taxis are usually recommended to hire from hotels or airports.
Avoid traveling by public transport vans.
Take particular care when traveling by car in the dark.
Practical advice:
Be especially careful if you come across the central bus station in the capital Lilongwe, and if you are driving after dark.
It is recommended to have a photocopy of your personal documents.
There are no special requirements for children traveling, but it is advisable for children to travel with separate passports.
Local currency:
Malawian Kwacha (MK)
When traveling to Malawi, it is recommended that you carry US dollars or British pounds in cash or a cheque book.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens traveling to Malawi (holders of regular, official and diplomatic passports) need a visa which they can obtain at the Embassy of Malawi in Berlin.
If traveling by air, the visa can be obtained at the airport, but we advise you to check this with the Malawi Embassy in Berlin before travelling.
After entry, the visa can be extended for a stay of up to 6 months from the date of entry.
More detailed information regarding visa matters can be found HERE.
You must enter the country with an international passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry into Malawi.
Consular service
Bulgarian citizens residing in Malawi on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
For emergencies and urgent cases during off-hours, holidays or weekends, call mobile phone: +27 79 893 7336.
Certifications and legalizations
Malawi is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents.
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions all documents issued by the authorities in Malawi to Bulgarian citizens should be endorsed with the Apostille of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malawi.
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 Lilongwe.