Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned citizens who are in, or planning to travel to, France, Italy, Belgium and Portugal to exercise increased caution. They have been advised to avoid areas where large crowds gather and central squares, and to follow instructions from local authorities.
The warning follows mass protests and unrest in several European cities. Clashes with law-enforcement officers and disruptions to traffic have been reported in Paris, Milan, Brussels and Lisbon.
The ministry said the situation in Italy is returning to normal. In France, however, tensions are expected to continue and may lead to further strikes, primarily affecting public transport. Bulgarian citizens have been advised to check transport schedules in advance and keep track of movement restrictions.
The Strike Tracker and Sortiraparis platforms can be used to follow current and planned strikes and protests in real time. Strike Tracker specializes in information about ongoing and upcoming industrial action and demonstrations, while Sortiraparis publishes official orders from the prefecture and police in France.
France has been affected by protests since September. On October 19, President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, saying that society felt “anger and shame” over the unrest and looting during protests that had spread across the country. The demonstrations have focused on rising living costs and poor conditions in educational institutions, and at least 2,400 people were arrested during the protests.
“Those who have carried out looting will have to pay for the damage, and those who have tried to bring down the Republic will be held accountable,” Macron said.
Bulgarian citizens who need consular or crisis assistance can contact Bulgaria’s diplomatic missions. The embassy in Paris can be reached at +33 1 4551 8590 and +33 6 2184 9515, or by email at Embassy.Paris@mfa.bg and consulat@ambbulgarie.fr.
The embassy in Rome is available at +39 06 322 4640, +39 06 322 4643 and +39 349 492 7764, as well as at Embassy.Rome@mfa.bg and embassy@bulemb.it. Bulgaria’s Consulate General in Milan can be contacted at +39 02 3598 7381 and +39 333 782 6043, or at Consulate.Milan@mfa.bg.
In emergency situations, assistance is also available through the round-the-clock telephone lines of the Foreign Ministry’s Situation Centre: +359 2 948 24 04, +359 2 971 38 56 and +359 893 339 616. Messages can also be sent to Crisis@mfa.bg.
The ministry recommends that Bulgarians travelling abroad, staying temporarily or living permanently outside the country register in the “I am travelling to…” section at mfa.bg/embassyinfo or through the “Travel Informed” mobile application, available at app.mfa.bg. Registration makes it easier for diplomatic missions to provide rapid and appropriate consular assistance when urgently needed.
Source: dariknews.bg
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715 | 21 Oct. 2026 | 10:17
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