Mali
Last update 28 October 2025Travel advice
Risk index
Level 4: Avoid all travels (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
Select passport type
Republic of Mali
IMPORTANT: There is a very high risk of terrorist attacks in Mali, with hotels, restaurants, schools, police stations, customs offices, and military centers among the most likely targets. Terrorist groups are expanding the scope of their activities and are now operating in close proximity to the capital Bamako, while significant parts of the country, especially the northern and central regions (Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal), are already under the control of terrorist and separatist movements. Due to the control established by such groups over key infrastructure (water supply facilities and fuel transport routes), the situation in the capital Bamako is deteriorating - a highly restrictive regime of water and electricity supplies has been introduced.
Given the extremely high levels of risk, we recommend that no travel to Mali be undertaken until the security situation in the country improves significantly.
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in the capital city of Mali Bamako. For any consular issues, all Bulgarian citizens (staying either short-term or long-term) in Mali, can refer to the Bulgarian Embassy in Algeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Algeria
Address: ALGERIE, ALGER 13, bd Colonel Bougara, ALGER – CENTRE
Tel.: +213 21 23 00 14, +213 21 23 01 21
Fax: +213 21 23 05 33
Mobile Tel.: +213161 560 935
E-mail: Embassy.Algiers@mfa.bg
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/algeria
The Embassy of Mali in Rome is accredited to the Republic of Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Mali in Rome
Address: Via Antonia Bosio 200, Rome, Italy
Tel.: +39 06 44254069; +39 06 44254068
Fax: +39 06 44244029
Email: amb.malirome@tiscalinet.it
Honorary Consul of Mali in Bulgaria
Mihail MIHAILOV
1612 Sofia, Lagera, rue Dragshan 2
GSM: +359 887 715 639
E-mail: maliconsulatsofia@gmail.com
General information
Security level:
ATTENTION! There is a very high risk of terrorist attacks in Mali, with hotels, restaurants, schools, police stations, customs offices, and military centers among the most likely targets. Terrorist groups are expanding the scope of their activities and are now operating in close proximity to the capital Bamako, while significant parts of the country, especially the northern and central regions (Gao, Timbuktu, Kidal), are already under the control of terrorist and separatist movements. Due to the control established by such groups over key infrastructure (water supply facilities and fuel transport routes), the situation in the capital Bamako is deteriorating - a highly restrictive regime of water and electricity supplies has been introduced.
There is a very high level of crime, kidnapping, and pickpocketing in large cities, including Bamako. The areas north and east of the Niger River are particularly dangerous for the kidnapping of European citizens.
Given the extremely high levels of risk, we recommend that no travel to Mali be undertaken until the security situation in the country improves significantly.
Healthcare:
The level of healthcare is low. Water is not drunk, it is used for washing only after boiling. Immunisation against yellow fever is required.
For up-to-date information on mandatory and/or recommended vaccines, you can contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country. The yellow fever vaccine is administered at the following regional health inspectorates.
Legislation specifics:
Homosexuality is not banned in Mali, but it is not well accepted by the local population.
Customs requirements
In Mali, you can bring in local and foreign currency up to 25,000 francs without declaring, above which you must declare. You can import goods for personal use, including 1,000 cigarettes, 250 cigars, 2 kg of tobacco and 2 litres of alcohol, duty-free. Import of plants is prohibited. Export of local and foreign currency - allowed up to declared value.
Road traffic:
If you travel by car you need to provide your insurance at the border, when entering Mali. When taking taxis, it is advisable to negotiate the fee in advance. Travelling by car after dark should be undertaken with extra caution. Driving in the country requires possession of a Bulgarian and an international driving licence.
Climate:
The rainy season is from June to October. During hot months, drinking more fluids and eating low-fat food, as well as avoiding alcohol, is advisable.
Local currency:
West African CFA franc (XOF). You are advised to have some USD, EUR, cheques or credit cards on you.
Travel papers and visas
Entering the country requires a Passport, valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry into Mali. Bulgarian citizens travelling to Mali (holders of ordinary, official or diplomatic passports) need a visa, which they can obtain from the Embassy of Mali in Rome.
Consular service
For any consular issues, Bulgarian citizens staying either short-term or long-term in Mali can contact the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Algeria.
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 Mali.
Certifications and Legalisations:
For all Bulgarian citizens’ documents, issued by authorities in Mali, to be valid in Bulgaria and to be recognised by Bulgarian institutions, they need a stamp by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali. Then they need to be certified by the Embassy of Mali 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.