Embassy of the Netherlands in Sofia, Bulgaria; address Oborishtestraat 15, 1504, София; phone +35928160300. Head of mission: Mr. Simon van der Burg.
Head of mission: Mr. Simon van der Burg, Ambassador (as of 2023)
The Netherlands is an appealing destination for many Bulgarian travelers, thanks to its famous canals, tulip fields, windmills, and historic cities. With a mix of urban sophistication and rustic charm, it attracts millions of tourists annually. Among the 4.1 million Bulgarians who travel abroad each year, a portion may find the Netherlands particularly interesting to visit.
The Netherlands is considered one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists, including those from Bulgaria. It ranks 9th out of 40 countries for safety while walking alone at night, compared to Bulgaria's 21st place. Additionally, the Netherlands is ranked 18th out of 160 countries in the Global Peace Index, making it safer than Bulgaria, which ranks 26th. In terms of crime statistics, the murder rate in the Netherlands is lower at 0.7 per 100,000 people, compared to Bulgaria's 1.3. Female murder rates also reflect this trend, with the Netherlands at 0.4 and Bulgaria at 0.8. While both countries have similar scores for mafia presence and foreign crime, the Netherlands generally shows lower indices for state crime and various forms of trafficking. Overall, tourists from Bulgaria can feel relatively safe when visiting the Netherlands.