Palestinan
Last update 27 January 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Avoid all travels (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
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The State of Palestine
IMPORTANT: Due to the dynamic security situation in the Middle East in recent days, we recommend Bulgarian citizens to travel to Israel and Palestine only in cases of urgent necessity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges our compatriots who are currently in the territories of the above-mentioned countries to follow the recommendations published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo/israel) and to register at our diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv or Ramallah, providing their current contact details if necessary.
Diplomatic mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ramallah, the Palestine National Authority
Address: Al Kawtar st. VIP Center 2 floor, Al Bireh - Ramallah, Palestine National Authority
Telephone: +970 2 24 13 143
Fax: +970 2 241 3144
Emergency hotline: +972 56 941 52 60
Working hours: 08:00 – 15:00
Opening hours: 11:00 – 13:00 (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: http://www.mfa.bg/embassies/palestina
Consular Office:
Address: Al Kawthar st. - VIP Center - 2nd floor, Al Bireh – Ramallah, Palestine
Telephone: +970 2 24 13 143
Fax: : +970 2 241 3144
Opening hours: Sun, Mon, Tue, Thu, 10:00 – 13:00
Embassy of the State of Palestine in Sofia, the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 1164 Sofia, 22 James Bourchier Blvd.
Telephones: +359 2 963 43 24, 963 31 23
Fax: +359 2 963 25 71
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
In regard to the deteriorating security environment in the Middle East region, the Foreign Office recommends:
- Bulgarian citizens on the territory of the country to strictly adhere to the security instructions of the local authorities, additionally avoiding places where events involving large crowds are held, as well as places of religious significance. Citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria who are in the territory of the State of Palestine are kindly requested to report their location to the e-mail addresses of the consular office in Ramallah: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
- not to travel to the Lebanese Republic except in cases of extreme necessity;
- Bulgarian citizens in the territory of the Lebanese Republic to leave the country as soon as possible, unless their stay in Lebanon is absolutely necessary.
Bulgarian citizens can contact the following Emergency hotlines for assistance:
• Crisis Center Directorate: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56 or email: [email protected];
• Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut: +961 5452883; +961 71266985 or email: [email protected];
• Bulgarian State Department in Ramallah: +970 2 24 13 143 or email: [email protected]; [email protected].
The land border crossing points with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan currently function as follows:
• Jordan Valley Crossing Checkpoint (opening hours 08:00 to 20:00, except Fridays and Saturdays 09:30 to 18:00);
• Wadi Araba checkpoint ( opening hours 06:30 to 20:00, except Fridays and Saturdays 08:00 to 20:00);
• King Hussein Bridge/ Allenby Bridge checkpoint is closed.
Security level:
Crime is at an average level. There is a danger of certain conflicts on political grounds.
Healthcare:
Healthcare is at an average level.
Customs requirements:
Customs requirements for Palestine can be downloaded from HERE.
Road traffic:
The traffic rules are identical to those in Bulgaria.
Practical advice:
Bulgarian citizens who wants to travel to Palestine should be aware that, given the special status of the Palestinian territories, there are differences in the travel, access and stay regimes in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
Given the fact that when travelling in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank, border controls at entry and exit are carried out by the Israeli border authorities, the requirements and recommendations for travellers are the same as for the State of Israel. It should be borne in mind, however, that security risks in the West Bank are considerably high (this applies most to the areas of Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Beita, etc.). Given these circumstances and the presence of numerous checkpoints between the Israeli and Palestinian territories, those wishing to travel are advised to do so with organised tour groups where possible.
With regard to the Gaza Strip, travel there is highly inadvisable, given the extremely complicated crossing regime and the constant risk of armed incidents and conflicts breaking out. Any travel to the Strip should be undertaken only in cases of extreme necessity. The procedure for travel to Gaza requires prior coordination (online registration and waiting for permission) with the Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), and is further complicated by the fact that the territory of the Strip is controlled by the Islamic Resistance Movement — Hamas, declared a terrorist organization by many countries.
In view of the rapidly changing dynamic situation in Palestine, the Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ramallah recommends Bulgarian citizens wishing to travel to the Palestinian territories to contact the State Department in advance at the indicated telephone numbers or e-mail addresses in order to be informed in detail about the current situation, the security situation and possible risks.
It is recommended that the situation in Palestine be monitored through the mass media and that if assistance is needed, an attempt be made to contact the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Ramallah.
All Bulgarian citizens present on the territory of the Gaza Strip can voluntarily register their passport details and contact telephone numbers, which will be used in case of humanitarian emergency.
For registration our compatriots can contact the Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ramallah:
Address: Al Kawtar st. VIP Center 2 floor, Al Bireh - Ramallah, Palestine National Authority
Telephone: +970 2 24 13 143; Fax: +970 2 241 3144 ;
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Website: http://www.mfa.bg/embassies/palestina
Working hours: 08:00 – 15:00
Out-of-hours hotline: +972 56 941 52 60
Registration can also be made at the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tel Aviv at:
e-mail address: [email protected]
Telephones: 9:00 – 17:30: + 972 3 696 13 78
from 9:00 to 9:30 and from 14:00 to 17:30: + 972 3 696 13 61
Local currency:
Israeli shekel (ILS).
Travel papers and visas
You must travel with an international passport in Palestine. The visa regime with Palestine is fully regulated by the 1993 Palestine-Israel Agreement. Visas are not required for short-term travel on all types of passports (diplomatic, official and regular) and stays of up to 90 days in total in Israel and Palestine.
For long-stay visas for all types of passports (diplomatic, official and regular), visa applications, together with all required supporting documents, are submitted on the spot and issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. The Palestinian authorities do not issue visas.
Consular service
The Mission may certify signatures, the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine, as well as the seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria. Our mission shall assist in the issuance and extension of identity documents through the Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv. Citizens can contact the office of the Mission in Ramallah for information and possible assistance in consular matters of any nature.
Civil status:
In connection with the registration of births, marriages or deaths, the Mission shall certify the signature and seal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine on documents issued by the Palestinian authorities.
Certifications and legalizations:
The office of the Mission in Ramallah certifies powers of attorney, declarations and documents that are issued by the Palestinian authorities (birth and death certificates, civil marriage certificates, etc.) that are certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine.
Documents issued by the Bulgarian authorities and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria shall also be certified.
The processing of files related to personal documents is carried out at the Bulgarian Embassy in Tel Aviv.