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THE FCDO HAS SHARED "NEW INFORMATION ABOUT ILLEGAL DRUGS AND RISKS FROM WORKING WITH MIGRANTS IN BORDER REGIONS" VIA ITS ‘SAFETY AND SECURITY’ PAGE. 08:24, 01 Jun 2025 The Foreign

Office has issued updated guidance for Bulgaria - with UK tourists warned they could face getting into trouble with the law. The FCDO has shared "new information about illegal drugs and

risks from working with migrants in border regions" via its ‘Safety and security’ page. European Union holidaymakers are being warned over the dangers of nitrous oxide. It warned:

"Bulgaria has strict penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and doing so could lead to vehicle confiscation, a prison sentence and fines. "If you receive a

penalty and do not own the vehicle, you could be required to pay a fine equivalent to the vehicle’s value." The Bulgarian authorities treat all drug-related and sex offences very

seriously. READ MORE LLOYDS BANK BRINGS IN BIG CHANGE AND ANYONE WHO IS IN A 'COUPLE' WILL BENEFIT "Any foreign nationals convicted of such offences can expect a prison

sentence," the FCDO said. It added: "Whilst widely available in resort areas, the use of nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas’) for non-medicinal purposes is now illegal." Article

continues below It added: "Assisting people who have entered Bulgaria illegally, or who are passing through Bulgaria to claim asylum in another country, risks breaking Bulgarian laws.

"It makes no difference whether you are helping them for profit or not – you are still at risk of breaking Bulgarian law. You can be arrested, detained and charged if you are suspected

of facilitating illegal entry or stay in Bulgaria, including by helping with accommodation or transport. "If you travel to Bulgaria to support civil society organisations working with

migrants, seek advice from local expert organisations such as the IOM, UNHCR or Bulgarian Helsinki Committee to make sure that your proposed actions do not break Bulgarian laws."

Article continues below Bulgaria's holiday destinations include the Black Sea coast resorts of Sunny Beach and Golden Sands, the historic city of Veliko Târnovo, and the ski resorts of

Bansko and Borovets.