Does mountain insurance cover foreigners who come to ski or bike in Bulgaria?

Many foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria for winter or summer tourism are often interested in whether local mountain insurance covers them in the event of an accident.The issue is especially relevant when participating in ski weekends, bike festivals or individual treks around Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes.Mountain insurance offered by Bulgarian insurers can cover foreigners if the policy is issued in their name, is valid for the relevant activity and is active for the period of stay.🚵

Is the Bulgarian mountain insurance valid for foreigners?

Yes, but under certain conditions.Foreigners can take advantage of Bulgarian policies if:

• pthe license is issued with accurate personal data;
• pthe opening coincides with the actual period of stay;
• eentity is explicitly included;
• hand EU citizens no additional registration is required;
• nsome companies also offer policies in English.

Without valid insurance, the costs of a rescue operation or hospital treatment in Bulgaria are not automatically covered, even in the presence of a European health card.Lookthe official website about mountain insurance!

What does mountain insurance cover for foreigners?

It covers rescue operations in the mountains, medical expenses in the event of an accident, hospital stay in Bulgarian medical facilities, 24/7 telephone helpline, transport to hospital and compensation in case of temporary incapacity.For more extreme activities, extended coverage is required.

❌ What doesn't it cover?

Off-track driving without special cover, participation in competitions without a declaration, accidents involving the use of alcohol or drugs and chronic illnesses if not declared are not covered.It is important for all tourists to read the terms and conditions carefully, including the exclusions and territorial coverage of the policy.

📊 Comparison of options for foreigners visiting Bulgaria

Insurance option	Suitable for	Average price per day	Coverage	Activation	Policy language
Bulgarian mountain insurance	Short stay	BGN 4-6	Yes.	Onsite/online	Bulgarian / English
Home country insurance	Tourists from the EU	BGN 6-10	Partially.	Before traveling	English, German, etc.
International Tourist Policy	Long stay, groups	BGN 8-15	Yes.	Online	Multilingual
No insurance	Risky	BGN 0	No.	8211	8211

What do insurers recommend?

• For short ski weekends or mountain biking in Bulgaria:

Issue Bulgarian mountain insurance with accurate coverage and clearly described risks.

• For organized sports groups or clubs:

It is better to take out group international insurance with high coverage.

• For tourists from non-EU countries:

Must have valid insurance with emergency medical assistance and rescue expenses included.

How is mountain insurance issued for foreigners in Bulgaria?

1. A passport or identity card must be presented;
2. For EU citizens – the EHIC is not enough;
3. Online ordering via platforms;
4. Possibility of issuing directly on site at the resort or at a travel agency;
5. It is recommended that the policy is in English if the tourist does not understand Bulgarian.

In the event of an accident, foreigners must call the national emergency number: 112, the mountain rescue service: 1470 or the telephone specified in the insurance.Without valid insurance, the costs of helicopter rescue can reach over BGN 5,000, and hospital treatment – ​​several thousand BGN.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners take out Bulgarian mountain insurance?

Answer: Yes, Bulgarian insurers issue mountain insurance to foreign citizens as well.It is necessary that the policy is issued with accurate personal data from an identity document.It must be active for the duration of the stay.The service is often also available in English.

Does the insurance cover accidents while skiing and hiking?

Answer: Yes, if the activity is specifically included in the policy.Mountain insurance covers accidents while skiing, snowboarding, hiking and cycling.For riskier activities, an additional extension is required.The list of included sports should always be checked.

Is the European Health Insurance Card enough?

Answer: No, the EHIC only covers emergency medical care in hospitals.It does not cover mountain rescue, helicopter transport or search.Mountain insurance is therefore highly recommended even for EU citizens.Without it, the costs can be significant.

What expenses does mountain insurance cover for foreigners?

Answer: Costs for search and rescue, transport to hospital and treatment are covered.A stay in medical facilities in Bulgaria is also included.Some policies offer 24/7 assistance.Benefits also cover temporary incapacity.

What does the insurance not cover?

Answer: Accidents involving the use of alcohol or drugs are not covered.Off-piste driving without additional coverage is generally excluded.Competitions and professional activities may also not be covered.Chronic diseases are also an exception if they are not declared.