At The Custom
Foreigners can import an unlimited amount of either Bulgarian or foreign currency - but it has to be declared at the border if the total amount exceeds 8000 Lev. or equivalent. You're not allowed to export more money than you import. You can bring 200 cigarettes and one liter of spirits into the country, but as both nicotine and alcohol are relatively cheap here, there's little point in importing such things unless you're bringing in a particular brand of whiskey as a gift for your hosts.
When entering Bulgaria by car you have to present a document of ownership.
You're not allowed to export antiques, artworks or coins of numismatic value unless you have a permit issued by the Ministry of Culture.
Due to fears about child trafficking, travelers with small children may be asked for documentary evidence of their parental relationship before being allowed to leave the country.
Visas
Nationals of the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and Switzerland can stay in the country visa-free for 30 days in any six month period. Citizens of EU countries other than the UK can stay in Bulgaria without a visa for 90 days. Nationals of other countries should contact the Bulgarian embassies and consulates in their home countries about visa arrangements.
Note that visas cannot be obtained at the border. If you want to stay longer than the 30 or 90 days allotted, you're advised to obtain a "type D" visa from the Bulgaria embassy in your home country before traveling.
Bulgaria's currency
Bulgaria's currency is called Lev (BGN), plural: Leva. One Lev is made up of 100 stotinki.
A currency board, in which the national currency is tied to the EURO and all foreign investments are strictly monitored by the IMF, has been in effect since July 1997. The exchange rate is fixed at BGN 1.95583/EURO 1.
