Bulgaria Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is strongly advising its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. The Ministry is also discouraging all travel to Lebanon until further notice.
Immediate Departure Recommended
In a statement released on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Foreign Ministry urged Bulgarian citizens to utilize all available safe options for departure, including civilian flights from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport [1]. This recommendation comes as regional tensions escalate, prompting concerns for the safety of foreign nationals.
Contact Information for Bulgarian Citizens in Lebanon
Bulgarian citizens in Lebanon who require assistance are encouraged to contact the Bulgarian diplomatic mission in Beirut. The following contact details are available:
- Embassy: +961 5 453 658
- Emergency Hotline (Outside Working Hours): +961 81 302 552, +961 76 697 766 [1]
- Consular Service Email: Consular.Beirut@mfa.bg [1]
Additional Assistance Available
For Bulgarian citizens facing disaster situations, the Situation Centre Directorate provides 24/7 support via:
Visa Requirements
Bulgarian citizens planning to visit Lebanon typically require a visa for stays of up to 30 days, which can be extended to 90 days [2].
Recent Developments
As of September 28, 2024, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry had already urged citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and advised those present to depart due to escalating violence [4]. Reports indicate increased military activity, including airstrikes by Israel in southern Lebanon and Beirut [4].
As of March 11, 2026, approximately 38 Bulgarian citizens had expressed interest in evacuation assistance, though an evacuation operation had not yet commenced [1].