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Embassy of Switzerland in Bulgaria

Embassy of Switzerland in Sofia — © FDFA

As the official representation of Switzerland, the Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic, financial and legal affairs, as well as science, education and culture.

The tasks of the embassy

Swiss National Day 2020 greetings by Ambassador Muriel Berset Kohen

Coronavirus

For information related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) kindly consult the information and directives of the local authorities
www.coronavirus.bg
www.mh.government.bg
www.mfa.bg
and the recommendations of the World Health Organization WHO

On state level, the Federal Office of Public Health of Switzerland FHPO informs in regards to the Novel Coronavirus and publishes travel advice accordingly.

The Travel Advice FDFA (in German, French and Italian) offers travelers basic information for travel preparation by informing on possible risks and certain precautions. They are to be considered as a complementary source of information.

For urgent requests, kindly contact the FDFA Helpline (Tel. +41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33) or contact the Swiss representation in Sofia.

01 / 07 / 2020 - Masks compulsory on public transport from 6 July 2020 in Switzerland

From Monday, 6 July, persons over the age of 12 will have to wear a mask in trains, trams and buses, as well as on mountain rail and cableways and on lake and river boats.

12/06/2020 - Travel to Switzerland allowed for Bulgarian citizens from 15.06.2020

From 15 June, full free movement of persons will once again apply with all EU/EFTA states and the United Kingdom.

Bulgaria will remain on the high-risk list after 15 June, which means that restrictions will continue to apply to third country nationals wishing to enter Switzerland from Bulgaria.

However, persons with rights of free movement will be allowed to enter Switzerland again from 15 June; this includes citizens of Bulgaria, their family members regardless of their nationality and third-country nationals who are posted to Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days in any year by a company based in these countries.

Further information is available on the website of The Federal council: www.admin.ch

Entry and transit through the territory of Bulgaria

EU -Citizens and citizens from the Schengen countries, coming from Switzerland, may enter Bulgaria without being put in quarantine

For more information consult our informal translation into English:

Order 341 (PDF, 384.0 kB)

29/07/2020 - Epidemic situation in Bulgaria until August 31st, 2020

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria issued four orders, which will remain in force during the epidemic situation in the country in force as of 14 May 2020 and decreed by the Bulgarian government to be in effect until August 31st 2020. The orders can be found here (in Bulgarian and English):

General measures in view of the epidemic situation

Access to public spaces and group events

Quarantine and isolation of sick persons

New order 285 / 29/ 05 / 2020 Entry and transit through the territory of Bulgaria (PDF, 449.4 kB)

Order 262 regulates the general parameters of the epidemic situation:

anti-epidemic measures to be applied until 31 August;
employers to organise home working for their employees when possible, and when not, to take all the measures such as social distancing, disinfection, not allowing sick employees to work, providing masks and other protective items;
in shops and public spaces with clients: salespersons to be protected by masks or plastic shields; disinfection at the entrance, not allowing many people at the same time;
masks are obligatory in closed public spaces and so is the social distancing of 1,5 metres in all public spaces;

Order 268 regulates in detail the access to public spaces and group events:

®Not allowed: all forms of public studying (schools, excursions, etc.) in all schools, universities. When possible, distance learning is applied. Exceptions: internships of the MFA related to public security, driving licence courses, professional driving courses, technical vehicle expert courses, courses related to training in sea fare, airfare, railroad transport;
Not allowed: all kinds of group work with children and students outside of schools, as well as closed nursery and kindergartens;
Not allowed: mass sports event either outdoor or indoor. Exception: collective training of up to 12 participants without public, in open spaces, also allowed trainings of footballers and Olympic games participants;
Not allowed: mass science events (conferences, symposia);
Not allowed: mass cultural event indoors (theatre, concert, stage events). Exception: visit to museums, galleries, libraries, cinemas, but only at 30% of their capacity);

Not allowed: any common event of groups exceeding 10 persons (exceptions: sports);
Not allowed: visits of external persons to hospitals and social homes;

Not allowed: the visits of sports and children’s playgrounds in closed public spaces;

Now Allowed: Malls and Gyms have been allowed to reopen from 18 May in strict observance of anti-epidemic measures
The activities, which are not prohibited by this order to be regulated by order No 262/14.5.