Required documents for EU citizens
Insurance Assistance when traveling abroad with assured assistance
Citizens of the European Union
If you are an EU citizen, you do not need to show your ID card or passport when traveling from one Schengen country to another.
You must show a valid ID or passport when traveling to or from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom. Although they are members of the EU, these countries do not belong to the Schengen area of free movement. Before you go, check what documents you need to have when traveling outside your country and to enter the non-Schengen EU country you plan to visit.
Even if you don't need a parsport for border checks in the Schengen area, it's still always best to carry a passport or ID card with you so you can prove your identity if needed (if you're stopped by the police when boarding aircraft etc.).
Driving licenses, bank cards, postal or tax documents are not accepted as valid travel documents or proof of identity.
You
- lost your passport or had it stolen?
- Did you realize that your passport expired during your trip?
In both situations, according to EU rules, you can only travel with a valid ID card or passport. They can still help you, as EU countries have systems in place to deal with such cases.
Conditions and procedures in individual countries differ significantly. If you are in the EU, you should first contact your country's consulate or embassy. (If you have a similar problem in a non-EU country where your country does not have a consulate or embassy, you have the right to seek consular protection in any other EU country.)
Documents for minors
In addition to having a valid passport or identity card, all children traveling:
- alone; or
- with adults who are not their legal guardians; or
- with only one parent
they may need an additional (official) document signed by their parents, other parent or legal guardian(s) allowing them to travel.
You should first check with the local embassy of the country the child is traveling to to let you know what other documents - if any - are required.
Refusal to enter a country
In very rare cases, an EU country may refuse entry to you or your family members for reasons related to "public order, public security or public health".
In such a case, the authorities must prove that you or your family members pose a "real, present and sufficiently serious threat".
You have the right to receive this decision in writing, which must state all the reasons and how and within what time frame you can appeal it.
Air passenger rights
First, they cannot ask you to pay a higher price for a ticket because of your nationality or the place you buy the ticket from.
Second, you also have rights in case something goes wrong. These relate to delays, canceled flights and duplication of seats due to which you cannot board the aircraft...
...and valid if:
depart from any airport in the EU, or
you arrive in the EU with a carrier registered in the Union or in Iceland, Norway or Switzerland.
Refund or alternative transport
If you are denied boarding, your flight is canceled or there are duplicate seats, you are entitled to:
carriage to your final destination by the use of comparable alternative transport or
a refund for the ticket and, where appropriate, a free return to your original point of departure.
Long delays - if your flight is delayed for 5 hours or more, you are also entitled to a refund of the amount paid for the ticket, but if you choose this option, the airline is not obliged to provide you with onward travel or provide you with assistance.
The airline must inform you of your rights and the reasons why you are denied boarding, the flight is canceled or there is a long delay (more than 2 hours, but the delay can be up to 4 hours for flights over 3,500 km).
Food and overnight stays
You may also be entitled to food and drink, communications (eg a free phone call) and, if necessary, hotel accommodation depending on the distance of the flight and the length of the delay.
Compensation
In addition, if you are denied boarding, if your flight is canceled or you arrive more than 3 hours late at the final destination indicated on your ticket, you may be entitled to compensation of between €250 and €600 depending on the distance you are flying .
Within the EU
- 1500 km or less - 250 euros
- over 1500 km - 400 euros
Between an EU airport and a non-EU airport
- 1500 km or less - 250 euros
- 1500 – 3500 km - 400 euros
- over 3500 km - 600 euros
If the carrier has offered you an alternative flight with a similar schedule, the compensation may be reduced by 50%.
You will not receive compensation for a canceled flight if:
the cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances, for example bad weather, or
you have been informed 2 weeks before the date of the scheduled flight, or
have offered you an alternative on the same route with a similar timetable to the original.
-
If a flight is canceled due to extraordinary circumstances, you may not be entitled to compensation, but the carrier must offer you a choice between:
refund of the amount paid for the ticket (in whole or for the part that you did not use)
alternative transportation to your final destination as soon as possible
change the reservation to a later date of your choice (if there are available seats).
Even in extraordinary circumstances, airlines must provide you with assistance when needed while you wait for alternative transportation.How to request a refund or compensation
Send an EU complaint form to your airline and remember to keep a copy for yourself.
If there is no result or you are not satisfied with the answer, you can lodge a complaint with the competent national authority in the EU country where the incident occurred.
If the incident happened at an airport outside the EU, but on a flight operated by an EU company, you can lodge a complaint with the competent national authority in the EU country you traveled to.
Lost or damaged baggage items
- Checked Baggage
If your checked baggage is lost, damaged or delayed, you may be entitled to compensation from the airline of up to around €1,220.
Exception - if the damage is a consequence of a defect inherent in the luggage.
Hand luggage (including personal belongings)
The carrier is responsible if it is at fault for the damage.
You must submit a claim for compensation within 7 days of receiving your baggage (or 21 days if you received your baggage late).
If you wish to use other legal remedies, you must do so within 2 years of the date of arrival of your baggage.
If you are traveling with expensive items, it is possible - for a fee - to be entitled to compensation greater than 1,223 euros by submitting a special declaration in advance to the airline at the latest when you check in for the flight. In such cases, however, it is best to take out travel insurance.
There is no standard form for the special declaration. The airlines themselves decide what it is.
Online booking - clear indication of prices
When booking a flight online, the total price of the ticket, including all mandatory items such as taxes and fees, should be visible from the start so that you can compare prices between airlines and make an informed choice.
In addition to the final price, at least the following information must be clearly indicated: cost of carriage, taxes, airport charges, other charges (eg security or fuel) or additional charges.
All optional extras must be clearly stated and offered on an optional basis only.
How to report unclear pricing
File a complaint with the competent national authority in your EU country of residence.
Passengers' rights when traveling by air (according to Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004)
Cancellation (Cancellation) of a flight
You love challenges, the unknown excites you, you dream of traveling around the world and touching everyone in the world
sights! Or maybe you are a business person and often have to travel abroad for work.
Whether you are on holiday, sightseeing, a round-the-world trip or on a business trip, one of the most essential things for your peaceful stay abroad is medical insurance.
WHO CAN BE INSURED?
The insurance is suitable for anyone who is about to travel or reside abroad for a period of no longer than 1 year.
The policy can be concluded for individual travelers or for organized groups.
ARE CHILDREN INSURED?
For children, pupils and students, the insurances are concluded under preferential conditions, with special discounts provided in
the price.
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU GET INSURANCE?
By taking out "Assistance when traveling abroad" insurance, you provide yourself with the necessary help and assistance in case of a health problem, lost luggage, need for legal protection or claims of third parties. We will provide the help from which
you need and we will pay the expenses incurred.
WHAT BENEFITS DOES THE INSURANCE PROVIDE?
If you need assistance, our associates are at your disposal 24 hours a day, including holidays and
holidays. The information can be provided to you in Bulgarian, Russian, German, French and English.
IS THE EUROPEAN HEALTH CARD CANCELED?
ABROAD INSURANCE?
The health card does not cancel "Assistance for travel abroad" insurance. Be sure to do your medical though
insurance, because in addition to the costs of medical examinations, tests and hospital treatment, it will also cover transport costs
expenses from the place of the accident (illness) to the nearest hospital, expenses for drugs and medications in outpatient
treatment as well as repatriation costs.
Object of insurance
The "Travel Cancellation" insurance is voluntary and is intended for persons who have an upcoming tourist or business trip in the territory of Bulgaria or abroad. It is taken out against the risk of a canceled or missed trip due to medical or non-medical reasons beyond the will of the insured and unforeseeable at the time of taking out the insurance.
The insurer reimburses the insured person expenses for plane tickets, hotel reservations and other tourist and business services performed in advance, which cannot be reimbursed in case of cancellation of the trip.
Covered risks
Risks covered:
- death due to an accident;
- trip cancellation costs;
- costs of shortening or interrupting the trip;
- flight delay or cancellation costs.
- The insurance must be concluded on the day of the reservation and first payment (advance or full) of the trip.
- Sum insured and premium
The insurance premium depends on the sum insured and the time remaining until the start of the trip. The insurance amount depends on the amount of the price paid for the individual or group trip and can be in BGN, EUR or US dollars.