Palestinan
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Termination warning throughout the country (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
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Diplomatic representation of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ramalla
Address: Al Kawtar st. VIP Centre 2nd floor, Al Bireh - Ramallah
Telephone: +970 2 24 13 143
Fax: +970 2 241 3144
Out-of-hours hotlines: +972 56 941 52 60
Office hours: 8.00 - 15.00 h
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Web site: www.mfa.bg/embassies/palestina
Consular section
Address: Al Kawtar st. VIP Centre 2nd floor, Al Bireh - Ramallah
Telephone: +970 2 24 13 143
Fax: +970 2 241 3144
Office hours: Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu - 10.00 - 13.00 h
Embassy of Palestine in Sofia
Address: 1164 Sofia, 22 “James Bourchier” Blvd.
Telephone: +359 2 963 43 24, 963 31 23
Fax: +359 2 963 25 71
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Local currency
Israeli Shekel (ILS).
Crime and security
Crime is at an average level. There is some danger of collisions on political grounds.
Road traffic
The rules are identical to those in Bulgaria.
Healthcare
Healthcare is at an average level.
Travel papers and visas
In order to travel to the Palestinian territories, one needs a valid passport. The visa regime with the Palestinian territories is governed entirely by the Palestinian-Israeli agreement of 1993. No visas are required for short trips for all types of passports /diplomatic, official and ordinary/ and stay for up to 90 days total in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
For long-term residence for all types of passports /diplomatic, official and ordinary/ visa applications along with all required supporting documents must be submitted on the spot, and visas are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. Palestinian authorities do not issue visas.
Practical advice
Information and recommendations for Bulgarian citizens, wishing to travel within and to Palestinian territories
The Bulgarian citizens wishing to travel in Palestine need to know that considering the particular statute of the Palestinian territories, there are differences in the regimes for travelling, access and stay in the West bank and in the Gaza Strip.
Following the fact that during travelling, entering and exiting the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank the border control is executed by the Israeli Border Authorities, the requirements and recommendations for the travellers are the same as they are for the State of Israel. It should be considered that the risks in terms of the West Bank’s security are considerably higher /this is most prevalent for the regions of the cities Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Beita and others/. Considering these circumstances and the presence of many checkpoints between the Israeli and Palestinian territories, it is recommended for those wishing to travel to do so with an organized tourist group.
On the topic of the Gaza Strip, travelling there is highly not recommended, considering the extremely complicated checkpoint passing process and the constant risk of emergence of armed unrest and conflict. Eventual travels to the strip should only occur in cases of ultimate necessity. The procedure for travelling to Gaza requires prior agreement /online registration and waiting for an approval/ with the Israeli administration for Coordination of government activities in the territories/COGAT/, with the said procedure being additionally complicated from the fact, that on the territory of the strip the control is exerted from the widely-claimed by many countries as terrorist organization - Islamic Resistance Movement - “Hamas”.
Considering the quickly changing dynamic setting in Palestine, the Diplomatic Representative Office of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ramallah recommends that the Bulgarian citizens, wishing to travel in Palestinian territories should contact the Diplomatic Representative Office pre-emptively through the shown phone numbers or e-mail addresses, so that they can be informed in detail about the current situation, the circumstances in terms of security and the potential risks.
Competitive service
What can consular officers do for you
The Representation may validate signatures, the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, and the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. Our Representation provides assistance for the issue and extension of personal documents via the Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv. Citizens can turn to the Representation in Ramalla for information and possible cooperation on consular matters of any kind.
Certification and Legalisation
The Representation in Ramalla is validating letters of attorney, declarations and documents issued by the Palestinian Authority /birth certificates, death certificates and marriage certificates, etc. that have been already certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority.
It is also validating documents issued by the Bulgarian authorities and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Processing of files related to personal documents is performed at the Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Civil status
In connection with the registration of birth, marriage or death, the Representation validates the signature and stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority on the documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.