This a question that we normally get from people that are considering moving to Bulgaria, and you have to keep many factors into consideration before saying how safe is Bulgaria.

Normally we can say that Bulgaria is safe for tourist and a safe tourist destination, you can walk late at night and normally don’t be at risk, expats and regular Bulgarian population can also feel free in the country

Just be careful don’t do things that you won’t do in your home country, live unattended expensive equipment (phones or photo camera) on the street or while traveling by bus, don’t walk on the street with visible cash on your hand avoid changing money on the street, use instead change bureaus and banks.

Crime in Bulgaria

The Ministry of Interior (MOI) reported a 9.8% decrease in all registered crimes in 2018 compared to 2017, resolving 46% of cases compared to 43.7% in 2017. According to the MOI, the majority of incidents involving tourist are economic, including ATM skimming, credit card fraud, theft, robbery, and motor vehicle theft.

Corruption in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s corruption perceptions index for 2018 is 42 points, with the country score of 77th in the world ranking. In the regional ranking of the Member States of the European Union, our country continues to take the last place (the average value of the EU index is 64.6).

According to the European Cooperation and Verification Mechanism report. The Bulgarian government adopted a comprehensive reform of its anti-corruption law, as well as establishing a new unified agency for fighting high-level corruption. There is moderate to high risk of corruption for the private sector when dealing with public procurement, public services, police, tax and customs administration, and the judicial system. Cases of corruption schemes aimed at draining public money are common.

Be aware that the Bulgarian law does not permit police officers to issue spot fines or accept cash for any reason, including minor traffic violations. Requests for spot fines are always a form of extortion.

Organized crime

Bulgarian organized crime groups are involved in a wide range of activities, including drug trafficking, cigarette smuggling, human trafficking, prostitution, illicit antiquities trafficking, extortion (often under the cover of ostensible security and insurance companies), racketeering, various financial crimes, car theft, and the arms trade.

Human trafficking

Bulgaria is a source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women and children who are subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically forced prostitution and men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor.

Transportation-Safety

Over-charging by taxi drivers, poor road conditions, and aggressive driving are the most frequent road risks faced by foreigners in Bulgaria.

Cybersecurity Issues

Bulgarian criminals have a significant role in ATM and credit card skimming-related fraud around the world. Until recently, Bulgarian transnational organized criminal groups manufactured skimming devices and sent teams to other countries to skim credit cards. These groups would then send the proceeds back to their Bulgarian bosses. There was only a moderate amount of the actual skimming of credit cards occurring in Bulgaria.

ATM skimming in Sofia, Varna, and Burgas has increased. Be wary of skimming devices at high-volume ATMs, usually around tourist areas or in shopping centers. Protect your PIN, and limit the use of credit cards to trusted retailers and institutions. Closely monitor your bank statements for anomalies

Victims of crime should call 112. This number is for any kind of emergency and not only in Bulgaria, but also for the rest of Europe.

be responsible to take care of yourself follow our advice and you won’t have any problem in Bulgaria.

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