Welcome to Bulgaria
LevCurrency in Bulgaria
Today’s Weather
9
°C
08:44 AM
Wednesday
Basic Country Profile
Location: Eastern Balkans
Population: 7.4 million
Capital: Sofia
Major language: Bulgarian
Major religion: Christianity
Terrain: Varied
Climate: Continental with or summers and cold winters
Currency: Lev
Dial code: +359
Time zone: GMT+2
Emergency numbers:
112 – General Emergency
160 – Fire Station
150 – Ambulance
166 – Police
16 – Traffic Police
91119 or 9732121- Taxi in Sofia
Disability Legislations and Policies
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in January 2012. Although reliable and disaggregated data about persons with disabilities is not collected and processed some estimates show that persons with disabilities are about 500,000 persons, 26,000 of whom are children.
In December 2018 Parliament finally adopted the new Disability Act after years of protests by mothers of disabled children. Following the adoption of the new law, people with disabilities will receive more financial support from 2019 onward, an individual needs assessment will be introduced, and a completely new agency will be responsible for people with disabilities. A personal assistant for all people in need is included in the plans. For the first time in Bulgaria, the envisaged financial support will be linked to a given poverty line while the planned budget for the next year is 426 million BGN.
This law is also in line with the numerous requirements of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the Bulgarian country. This includes the constitution of bodies that will ensure the implementation of this law as well as monitoring.
Travel Related Information
The law requires improved access to buildings for persons with disabilities, and new public works projects take this requirement into account; however, this law is rarely enforced in older buildings. Bulgarian law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, and the provision of other state services; however, the government does not effectively enforce these provisions in practice. Societal discrimination persists against persons with disabilities.
Public transportation and general commuting in Sofia or around Bulgaria isdifficult for individuals with disabilities. Buses, trams, and trolleys are generally old and extremely crowded, and lack facilities for travelers with disabilities. Some newer vehicles claim to have access for disabled individuals, but in practice, access is extremely limited and travelers with disabilities must rely on fellow passengers to help them on and off the vehicles. The Sofia metro is the most accessible system for disabled individuals, but its reach is limited. Travelers with disabilities should consider traveling with a friend or family member who can assist them in navigating the transportation systems in Bulgaria.