The Foreign Office has issued a new warning to Brits planning to travel to a popular European destination as they could unknowingly break the law. Failing to adhere to these rules could result in a prison sentence.
In recent years, Bulgaria has become a sought-after destination, with around a quarter of a million tourists from the UK now visiting annually.
However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urged people to check its safety and security advice before jetting off.
In an update on May 29, the FCDO issued two legal advisories. One concerns a recent change in drug rules, and the other is about helping migrants.
Firstly, visitors were warned that the use of a previously legal drug is now an offence. Nitrous oxide, which is also known as laughing gas, was only banned in Bulgaria in October last year.
The gas is often sold in balloons for people to inhale. The FCDO explained: “The Bulgarian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very seriously.
“Any foreign nationals convicted of such offences can expect a prison sentence. Whilst widely available in resort areas, the use of nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas’) for non-medicinal purposes is now illegal.”
On the Bulgarian parliament website, it states that you could be fined up to 10,000 Bulgarian Lev (£4,300) for selling nitrous oxide, and up to 20,000 Lev (£8,600) if you’re caught doing it again. The other part of the update from the FCDO warns against help illegal migrants entering the country.
It said: “Assisting people who have entered Bulgaria illegally, or who are passing through Bulgaria to claim asylum in another country, risks breaking Bulgarian laws. It makes no difference whether you are helping them for profit or not – you are still at risk of breaking Bulgarian law.
“You can be arrested, detained and charged if you are suspected of facilitating illegal entry or stay in Bulgaria, including by helping with accommodation or transport. If you travel to Bulgaria to support civil society organisations working with migrants, seek advice from local expert organisations such as the IOM, UNHCR or Bulgarian Helsinki Committee to make sure that your proposed actions do not break Bulgarian laws.”
Although not a recent update, the FCDO also warns that Bulgarian authorities take drunken behaviour “more seriously” than in the UK. It added: “Offences relating to drunken, disorderly behaviour and hooliganism may be treated more seriously than in the UK.
“Police can arrest or fine anyone for loud and boisterous behaviour or urination in public places.”
Failing to follow FCDO advice could not only put your safety at risk or see you face legal consequences, it can also invalidate your travel insurance.
For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria.
