Instructions and Recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
15 June 2025 News
In light of the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria advises Bulgarian citizens located in affected countries who require assistance to contact the MFA using one of the following communication channels:
Situation Centre Directorate
Tel.: +359 2 948 24 04; +359 2 971 38 56; +359 893 339 616
Fax: +359 2 870 71 37
Email: [email protected]
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Islamic Republic of Iran
24/7 emergency phone: +98 930 568 34 09
Please be advised that Iranian airspace is currently closed. Therefore, departure from the country by air is not possible at this time. At present, evacuation is only possible via land borders:
- Via the land border with Armenia: No visa is required for Bulgarian citizens holding valid passports.
- Via the land border with Turkey: No visa is required for Bulgarian citizens holding valid passports.
- Via the land border with Azerbaijan (Astara border checkpoint): A special permit issued by the Azerbaijani authorities is required. This can be obtained with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Tehran. Bulgarian citizens considering this option must contact the embassy in Tehran or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance. Holders of ordinary Bulgarian passports require a visa for Azerbaijan. This can be obtained via the ASAN Visa online platform at https://evisa.gov.az/en/
- Via the land border with Turkmenistan: A visa is required for Bulgarian passport holders. Entry also requires presentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, to be conducted on arrival. Please note there are difficulties in purchasing flight tickets for departure from Turkmenistan.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the State of Israel
Phones: +972 54 595 4379; +972 54 463 4003
The situation in Israel remains extremely dynamic and is subject to rapid change. Bulgarian citizens are urged to follow closely the guidance issued by local authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A state of emergency is in effect, and Israeli airspace is currently closed, making departure by air temporarily impossible.
In connection with the situation and public holidays in Israel (Shabbat), no vessels are expected to depart from the ports of Haifa and Ashdod before Sunday, 15 June 2025. Options for sea departure after that date will depend on Israeli authorities’ decisions and the availability of space.
Departure from Israel via the Arab Republic of Egypt (Taba border checkpoint) is currently possible. There is no indication that the checkpoint is closed; however, this may change at any moment due to the evolving situation. A visa is required for entry into Egyptian territory. Visa-free travel through this checkpoint is only permitted for Bulgarian citizens if they are flying out of Sharm El Sheikh Airport, where an exit visa will be issued on departure.
The Jordanian authorities have announced that the King Hussein Bridge will be open on 15 June 2025 from 08:00 to 14:00. This, too, is subject to change at any moment due to the situation.
Entry into Jordan requires a visa.
Jordanian airspace remains open for civilian flights. However, many airlines have cancelled flights to and from Amman. Royal Jordanian continues to operate regular flights (e.g. to Istanbul), while Jordan Aviation is operating charter services.
For all the above-mentioned options for leaving the State of Israel, the following must be taken into account: the risks involved in moving within Israeli territory, the declared state of emergency, and the associated restrictions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its embassies in the region, continues to monitor the highly dynamic situation and will provide updated information to concerned Bulgarian citizens regarding possibilities for safe departure from the affected areas.