Belissima Marine Yacht Service would like to draw the attention of all the company's clients sailing in the region of Greece with a Bulgarian paper-based boat skipper certificate that, during an inspection, the Coast Guard may require a translation of the skipper's certificate into Greek. This warning was published by the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Athens and the Consulate General in Thessaloniki on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. According to the latest information, this requirement does not apply to yacht owners and captains holding "plastic" card-type certificates, where the information is provided in both Bulgarian and English.

We would like to remind you that, according to Greek legislation, certificates for the operation of motor vessels issued abroad to Greek or foreign nationals are recognized if they are officially issued or recognized by the authorities of the issuing state. The data must necessarily be available in English or Greek. Their authenticity can be verified online using a personal ID number (EGN) and the certificate number. Despite this, there has been an increase in sanctions imposed on Bulgarian skippers in recent weeks.

The documents required when sailing with a paper certificate are as follows:

  • An official translation of the skipper's certificate into Greek;
  • A certificate from the Embassy or Consulate of the respective country that issued the document, confirming the competencies of the state authority that issued it, or the official recognition by the state of the Certificate and the issuing authority, in case it is not part of the state administration.

On July 28, the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Thessaloniki announced that as of Monday, July 31, 2023, the issuance of a Certificate confirming the competencies of the authority that issued the boat skipper's certificate would begin. To obtain it, you must book an appointment by calling (+30) 2310829210. When appearing, you must provide your ID card and the boat skipper's certificate itself. The certificate is issued within three working days and costs 10 euros. In case you wish to place an express order (within one working day), the fee is 20 euros.

Belissima Marine would like to remind you of the main contact details for the Bulgarian Consulate in Thessaloniki and the Bulgarian Embassy in Athens:

Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Thessaloniki
Address: 12 N. Manou St., 1 E. Abbot St., 54643 Thessaloniki
Phone:
+30 2310 829 210
+30 2310 869 510
Emergency phone outside working hours: +30 2310 869 520
Fax: +30 2310 854 004
E-mail: Consulate.Thessaloniki@mfa.bg

Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Greece
Address: 33Α, Stratigou Kallari Str., 154 52 Paleo Psychiκo, Athens
Direct emergency phone: +30 210 67 48 107
Answering machine and operator: +30 210 67 48 105, +30 210 67 48 106
Ambassador's secretary: +30 210 67 13 230
E-mail: embassy.athens@mfa.bg; embassbg@otenet.gr