Syria
Last update 26 October 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 4: Termination warning throughout the country (except in case of extreme necessity)
4
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We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
Syrian Arab Republic
Travel warning: Since the spring of 2011, there has been a sharp deterioration in the overall security situation in Syria. On 20 January 2012 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Bulgarian citizens residing in Syria to leave the country as soon as possible, given the ongoing destabilization of the situation and the growing threat to their security. At the moment we do not recommend Bulgarian citizens to travel to Syria.
It is not possible to use land transport towards the Republic of Turkey. Given the growing tensions in southern Syria and the fact that the border with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is still closed, this route cannot be used either. To reach the Syrian-Iraqi border, one should pass through areas of increased terrorist activity. The border with Lebanon remains closed in view of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. Damascus International Airport is operational. It currently operates domestic and cargo flights. Separate repatriation flights to Armenia, the UAE, the Russian Federation, etc. are being organized under a separate plan. All persons entering Syria are subject to a 14-day quarantine in an isolation centre in Damascus or Rif Dimashq governorate.
The activities of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Mission in the Syrian capital Damascus are limited, as it does not offer consular services!
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic
Address: Damascus, Arnus square, Pakistan street, Bld. 2213, P.O. Box 2732
Telephone: +963 944 39 02 03, +963 11 44 54 039
Fax: +963 11 44 19 854
Working hours: 09.00 – 15.00 ч.
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mfa.bg/embassies/syria
Emergency hotline: +963 944 39 02 03
*** The emergency hotline is a telephone number open only to Bulgarian citizens or citizens of EU member states who are not represented on the territory of Syria and who are in an urgent need of assistance. An emergency may be understood as incidents of any nature, such as: urgent medical need, detention or arrest, road accident, theft or loss of personal documents, death, etc.
Bulgarian citizens could receive consular assistance at the Bulgarian embassies in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Beirut, Lebanon
Address: BP 11 65 44 Beyrout, Hazmieh, Mar Takla, secteur 6, rue 44
Telephone: +961 5 452 883
Fax: +961 5 452 892
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/lebanon
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Ankara, Turkey
Address: Atatürk Cd. № 124, 06680 Kavıklıdere-Çankaya, Ankara, Republic of Turkey
(Ankara Kavekladere, Chancaya, 124 Atatürk Blvd.
Telephone: +90 312 467 20 71; +90 312 427 51 42
Fax: +90 467 25 74 (on duty); +90 468 69 56 (secretary)
Working hours: Mon – Fri, 09:00 – 17:30
Opening hours: 09:00 – 12:00
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/turkey
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Sofia
Address: 13 A Simeonovsko shose, 1700 Sofia
Telephone: +359 2 962 45 80, 962 57 42, fax: +359 2 962 43 14
Working hours: 08:30 – 15:30
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Despite the secular nature of life in Syria, religious customs and traditions should be strictly observed and respected in a country where the majority of the population is Muslim. You are reminded that you should comply with local laws in Syria! You fall within their jurisdiction during your stay there.
When crossing the Syrian border, avoid carrying belongings of third parties.
We advise you to conclude a contract for health, travel, travel or other insurance in advance.
In the event of theft or loss of your identity documents, cash, travel tickets, etc., immediately notify the nearest police office in person and in writing and ask for a copy of the record establishing the event.
Healthcare:
Foreigners arriving from regions with yellow fever prevalence should present a vaccination certificate. Those wishing to stay in Syria for more than one year should present a certificate with a negative result of a spina test carried out in a specialized medical facility in Zablatani District, city of Damascus.
Travellers with domestic animals need to present an animal health certificate in English, certified by the relevant authorities of the country of origin.
Customs requirements:
Declared imports of unlimited amounts of currency are allowed, but the amount when leaving the country must not exceed the amount declared upon entry. The import of large and expensive electrical appliances and industrial quantities of small-sized ones, narcotics, weapons and ammunition is prohibited. As of July 2013, the export of all types of goods, whether produced inside or outside Syria, is prohibited.
Road traffic:
Travellers in private vehicles are allowed temporary entry and use of the vehicle in Syria for a maximum of 15 days for a fee of USD 100 for a temporary entry card, and USD 30 for mandatory insurance. The cost of a temporary entry card for a diesel vehicle is approximately USD 200. There is a likelihood that you will not be admitted with a diesel vehicle into Syria. When leaving the country, each vehicle pays a fee of SYP 6,000 (about USD 16).
When leaving Syria via the land border, foreign nationals pay an exit fee of SYP 1,100 (about USD 3) and SYP 1,500 (about USD 4) via the airport.
Make sure your driving licence has not expired beforehand and is valid for Syria. We recommend that you obtain an international driving licence in advance.
As a result of the complicated security situation, numerous checkpoints have been established in cities and on intercity roads. In order to prevent an accident, upon spotting a post, you should stop and cooperate fully with the authorities. Prepare to present your personal and vehicle documents.
Local currency:
The local currency is the Syrian pound. It should be taken into account that the Syrian government is constantly taking measures to stabilize the Syrian pound and the exchange of currency outside the branches of the state-owned Syrian Commercial Bank, branches of private banks and licensed bureaus is considered a violation of local laws. As of July 2013, illegal currency trading has been criminalized, with penalties ranging from 3 to 10 years of imprisonment. Also, in early October 2015, a ban was imposed on the export of currency from the country without specific permission from the National Bank of Syria.
At this time there is no credit card payment option. ATMs are operational in many places in Damascus and in the larger cities, from which only Syrian pounds can be withdrawn at the official rate of the Syrian Central Bank for the day. At certain times, ATMs do not accept foreign credit cards and only work with Syrian ones. In this regard, we recommend not relying solely on funds available via credit cards in Syria.
Travel papers and visas
A valid international passport and a Syrian visa are required to enter the country.
Attention!!! There should be no marks from a visit to Israel in the passport of the person applying for the visa.
Bulgarian citizens travelling to Syria (holders of regular, official and diplomatic passports) can obtain a visa at the Embassy of Syria in Sofia. Entry visas issued by the Embassy of Syria in Sofia are valid for three and six months from the date of issue and can be single-entry or multiple-entry. Transit visas are valid for three, six and twelve months from the date of issue and can be single-entry or multiple-entry.
For stays of more than 15 days in Syria, foreigners are required to apply for a temporary residence permit at the Passports and Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, which is located in Damascus in the Baramke quarter, next to the building of the SANA agency, and in the countryside — in the regional police stations.
When leaving the country, foreign nationals with a temporary residence permit should secure an exit visa in advance from the same institution. A residence permit does not give you the right to work.
Competitive service
CONSULAR SERVICES (TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED)!
Bulgarian citizens in Syria should contact the Embassies of the Republic of Bulgaria in Lebanon or Turkey.