Mandatory "green certificate" for visits to restaurants and shopping centres, along with other restrictions, is being introduced in Bulgaria from 21 October 2021

A new wave of coronavirus cases has led to new restrictions being introduced in Bulgaria from 21 October. The main idea is to allow unrestricted visits to shopping centres, cinemas and restaurants only to holders of a green certificate. What is the essence of the restrictions, what exactly is a green certificate, how do you obtain one and will the absence of one affect plans to buy property in Bulgaria – the experts of Bulgaria Avenue agency provide the answers.

New restrictions in Bulgaria in connection with the spread of COVID-19

On 21 October 2021 the Bulgarian government adopted new measures against the spread of coronavirus in the country. This time it was decided not to announce another lockdown, but to use a more flexible measure – "green certificates" for entry to places where large numbers of people gather. 

A valid document must be held by every person over 18 years of age when visiting the following establishments:

• Shops with an area of more than 300 sq m, for example, shopping centres, large sports and DIY stores;
• Theatres, cinemas, museums;
• Sports halls, swimming pools, fitness centres;
• Courses, universities;
• Discos, casinos, nightclubs;
• Restaurants 

Without a green certificate it will not be possible to take part in competitions held in indoor halls. At the discretion of event organisers, the document will be checked for spectators of competitions held outdoors, such as at football matches. 

All staff of hospitals, dialysis centres, oncology centres and care homes for the elderly must be vaccinated. The same applies to university students who wish to attend in-person classes.

Without certificates it will still be possible to go to food shops, supermarkets and small household goods stores. It is not compulsory to present the document when visiting banks or administrative offices. 

However, the introduction of green certificates is only one of the measures adopted by the Bulgarian authorities. Another restriction concerns the educational process in schools:

• Pupils living in towns and regions where the number of people with a positive coronavirus test reaches 750 per 100,000 will switch to distance learning;
• Where the incidence rate is between 500 and 750 per 100,000, online learning will be introduced for 50% of pupils;
• Where the incidence rate is between 250 and 500 per 100,000, if 30% of pupils are in quarantine and 20% are ill, half of the pupils will also be moved to remote study.

What is a "green certificate" ("green passport")

The official document that lifts restrictions on visiting restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and fitness centres is the "green certificate". It is recognised in all countries of the European Union, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. It is issued in two languages – English and the language of the country in which it was issued.

A green certificate can be obtained free of charge if you:

• Have completed a full course of vaccination with EU-approved coronavirus vaccines (among them Janssen, Astrazeneca, Moderna, Pfizer). It is expected that in Bulgaria from 22 October it will be possible to obtain a certificate after the first dose of the vaccine. It will be valid for 1 month, i.e. until the day on which the second dose is due to be administered.
• Have had coronavirus, and have official confirmation in the form of an antigen test. Such a certificate will be valid from the 15th to the 180th day from the date on which the test was carried out and a positive result obtained. It is likely that from 22 October the validity period of the certificate will be extended – it will be available to everyone who has produced a positive antigen or PCR test after 1 December 2020. 
• Have taken a PCR test and received a negative result. Such a certificate will be valid for 72 hours from the moment the test was carried out.
• Have taken an antigen test with a negative result. The period of validity is 48 hours from the moment of testing.

The certificate is issued at immunisation centres and laboratories where coronavirus testing has been carried out. The document indicates the name of the holder, date of birth, the document number and date, and full information on the vaccine or the day on which the tests were performed. Each digital certificate contains an embedded QR code and a digital signature. This has been done to protect against forgery. 

How the new measures will affect the purchase or sale of property

The new restrictions introduced in connection with the spread of Covid-19 apply only to places where large numbers of people gather. They do not apply to notaries, city and district administrations, banks or business organisations.

You can freely come to Bulgaria and buy or sell an apartment. Entry restrictions apply only to citizens of countries that are in the red zone, for example, India, South Africa, Nepal, Chile, Brazil and Mongolia.

Therefore when purchasing property you can come to view the options at a time convenient for you, choose the best apartment and buy it in accordance with the established procedure. The specialists of Bulgaria Avenue, working in strict accordance with the adopted anti-epidemic measures, are ready to help you with this. 

Another option for purchasing property is to arrange an online viewing of the apartment and grant a power of attorney to the managers of Bulgaria Avenue. The specialists will take part in the transaction on your behalf and provide you with all the necessary documents

If you are the owner of an apartment in Burgas, Pomorie, Sunny Beach and so on, you can also sell it remotely. On the basis of a power of attorney, the managers will prepare the documents and carry out the transaction. 

The new restrictions related to the spread of coronavirus in Bulgaria concern the need to present a green certificate at places where large numbers of people gather. This process does not prevent Apart Estate from fully carrying out its work. As always, we are ready to offer you the best property options by the sea in Burgas, Sveti Vlas, Sozopol and Sunny Beach.