Philippines
Last update 28 March 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of the Philippines
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have an embassy in Manila. The country is served by the embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi
Address: No 5 Nui Truc str., Van Phuc Hanoi; P.O.Box 10
Telephone: +84 24 3845 2905
Fax: +84 24 3846 0856
Working hours of the Consular Office: Mon – Fri, 9:00 – 12:00
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/vietnam
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria in Philippines
Mr. Rico Paolo Ledesma
Manila, Consular District territory of the Republic of the Philippines
Address: UG 29 Cityland Condominium, 6264 Calle Estacion Street, Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati City, Metro Manila Philippines
Opening hours: Monday - Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 (by appointment)
Office Manager: Mrs. Agnes Arro
Telephone: +63 917 842 0624; +632 87143610
Fax: +63 2 812 8895
Е-mail: [email protected]
The Embassy of the Philippines in Bucharest is accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Bucharest, Romania
Address: Strada Carol Davila nr 105-107, etajul 5, Apt. 10 and 11, Sector 5, 050456, Bucharest, Romania
Tel.:+40-21-319-8252, +40-21-319-8254, +40-21-319-8256
Fax:+40-21-319-8253
E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]
Honorary Consul of the Republic of the Philippines in the Republic of Bulgaria
Mr. Ognyan Trayanov
Office: 1421 Sofia, 46 Chervena Stena St.,
Telephone: +359 888 799 319 (Mon–Fri, 10:00 –16:00)
Fax: +359 2 986 92 15
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
General information
Security level:
Most journeys are accident-free, but the risk of street attacks, terrorism and kidnappings should be considered. Increased caution to personal safety should be paid in all parts of the country. The instructions of the local authorities regarding order and security should be observed. Travel to the Sulu archipelago and the western regions of the Mindanao island should be avoided. Increased caution is required when participating in street and road traffic, as well as monitoring the forecast and weather changes. The Philippines offers many opportunities for holidays, cultural, ecotourism and more. The information summarized below is intended to draw the attention of citizens to potential risks and certain specifics in the country to raise their awareness for a full and smooth stay in the Philippines.
Healthcare:
It is recommended that citizens have full insurance. Before departure, you should check whether the insurance also covers medical emergencies. It is important to read and check all the details of the health and travel insurance. Treatment not covered by insurance can be very expensive and is at the expense of the person affected.
There are sporadic cases of infectious diseases. More information on necessary vaccinations and other health issues can be found on the World Health Organization's website at: https://www.who.int/ and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/home.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
Maintain a high level of personal hygiene. We advise travellers to wash their hands frequently, be careful when eating raw foods and drink only bottled water. There are no requirements for certain vaccines. For up-to-date information on 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.
Specifics of the local legislation:
Possession or distribution of drugs, as well as sexual offences, can lead to extremely serious sentences. It is strongly advised not to accept packages or other goods from unknown persons. Luggage must be packed personally and not left unattended. Conditions in detention facilities and prisons are harsh.
Customs requirements:
Customs requirements for the Philippines can be found here: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/ph-philippines-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm
Practical advice:
Bulgarian citizens should take good care of their passports, which should always be with them, or in the hotel checkout. It is highly recommended that citizens always carry a photocopy of the passport page with their personal details, visas and stamps. Citizens should pay attention when choosing a tour operator and to safety conditions when choosing cruises, excursions and similar trips. Particular care should be taken when choosing ferries. They should strictly adhere to all requirements of the Philippine authorities, including compliance with any restrictions placed.
Local currency:
The official currency of the Philippines is the Philippine peso. Credit and debit cards can be used for payments in the cities. In banks, airports, hotels and some shops, euros and US dollars can be exchanged into pesos.
Climatic characteristics:
Travellers are advised to check the current weather forecast. It is necessary to monitor weather conditions at the places of visit. Typhoons and tropical storms occur between June and December, which can cause flooding and landslides and pose health risks. In severe cases, individual islands and settlements may remain isolated for days. The forecast for typhoons and strong tropical storms can be monitored at: www.tropicalstormrisk.com.
the Philippines are located in an earthquake zone. There are a number of active volcanoes. Information on earthquakes, volcanic activity and tsunami warnings can be monitored at: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php.
Travel papers and visas
Citizens of Bulgaria are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa as tourists with a 30-day stay entitlement under the following conditions:
- Their passport shall have a validity of at least six (6) months after the planned date of departure from the Republic of the Philippines.
- Have a return ticket to their country of origin or departure to another country within 59 days from the date of entry into the Republic of the Philippines.
- All passengers must check in via the eGovPH app in the etravel system within 72 hours before their flight. The app is available for both Apple and Android and can be downloaded to your phone from the app store. You must first register an account with the Philippine Travel Information System and then log into the Travel tab to fill out your information for your upcoming trip. You can also do this through https://etravel.gov.ph. You are advised to do it at least 48 hours in advance from a place with good internet. Your profile can be created earlier, while travel information can only be entered into the system within 72 hours of your flight. You may be denied boarding if you do not check in.
These requirements apply to tourists as well as visits for business, conferences, sports, training, etc. After the 30-day period, tourists can extend their stay up to 59 days on the spot at a local Immigration Office branch.
*Vaccines are not required or recommended, and proof of Covid-19 vaccine is also not required.
Registration requirement for eTravel - Philippine One-Stop Electronic Travel Declaration System
Travellers should register through the eGovPH app in the etravel system within 72 hours before their flight. To fill in your information for the upcoming trip, you may also do so through https:etravel.gov.ph. You are advised to do this at least 48 hours in advance from a location with good internet. Your profile can also be created earlier, while travel information can only be entered into the system within 72 hours before your flight. You may be denied boarding if you do not check in.
Consular service
The country is serviced by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Hanoi.
Bulgarian identity documents:
Applications for passports, Emergency Travel Documents, driving licences and identity cards shall be made in person by the interested citizens. Under Bulgarian legislation, no exceptions to personal appearance at the Embassy are allowed. Citizens should be informed about the possibilities and conditions for submitting an application through the Automated Information System for Electronic Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the following link: https://e-usluga_bds.mfa.bg/ ] . Please note that in order to receive the ready documents requested through the Automated Information System for Electronic Services, you must appear in person at the Bulgarian embassy you have indicated.
In cases of a damaged, lost, stolen or expired passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) at an embassy of an EU Member State in Manila. The ETD is issued only for the purpose of a single trip to Bulgaria or the country of permanent residence.
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to serve before the Bulgarian authorities, documents issued by the authorities in the Philippines must be provided with an Apostille by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. No subsequent legalization at the Embassy in Hanoi is required. To be used before Bulgarian institutions, the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator in the Republic of Bulgaria.
All fees for consular services are payable in euros by bank transfer.