Bulgaria Visa and Passport Requirements
| Passport required | Return ticket required | Visa Required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| British | Yes | Yes | No |
| Australian | Yes | Yes | No |
| Canadian | Yes | Yes | No |
| USA | Yes | Yes | No |
| EU | See below | No | No |
Passports
EU nationals: When travelling from one border-free Schengen country to another by car, you are not required to show a passport or national ID card. However, transport providers like airlines, train operators and ferry companies will require you to show your passport or ID card to prove your identity.
EU nationals can stay up to 90 days with a valid ID card in Bulgaria.
Non-EU nationals: To enter Bulgaria, you must have a valid passport issued within the past ten years and with at least three months validity left after the anticipated date of departure from Bulgaria, along with a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of stay.
Bulgaria is a Schengen country, but beware that EU members such as Cyprus and Ireland are not part of the Schengen area, so a passport or ID card is required if travelling to/from these countries.
Visas
EU nationals: You don't need a visa for Bulgaria if the stay is less than 90 day. Those who plan to stay longer will need a residence permit.
Non-EU nationals: The complete list of countries and territories whose nationals can visit Bulgaria and any other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period are as follows: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Marshal Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
• Hong Kong and Macao: holders of SAR passports do not need a visa.
• Taiwan: holders of passports issued by Taiwan which include an identity card number do not need a visa.
• Serbia: holders of biometric passports do not need a visa, excluding holders of passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate.
• Vanuatu: holders of passports issued on or after 25 May 2015 do not need a visa.
• Nationals from micro-states within an EU country (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City) also do not need a visa.
For nationals from countries not listed here, please contact the nearest embassy to check the visa requirements for Bulgaria.
Visa Note
For more information about Schengen visas, follow the link to the article A guide to Schengen visas.
ETIAS travel authorisation: From 2024 (possibly not before 2025), all visitors who currently do not need a visa to visit 30 European countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation. For more information, follow the link to the article Applying for ETIAS.
Types and Cost
Schengen visa €80 for those who are above 12 years old, €40 for children aged six to 12, and free for children below six.
Nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia pay €35.
In addition, the visa fee is waived for the following applicants:
• School pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training.
• Researchers from third countries travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.
• Representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organised by non-profit organisations.
• Family members of EU/EEA (European Economic Area) citizens, falling under Directive 2004/38.
Validity
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Transit
Citizens of some countries need an airport transit visa when transiting through international parts of any airports within the Schengen countries, whereas citizens of certain countries are only required a transit visa for some of the Schengen countries. If you are not from a Schengen visa exempt country, please check with a consulate of Bulgaria near you.
Application to
Contact the embassy, high commission or consulate.
Schengen Visas
Bulgaria is a Schengen country, so the Schengen visa scheme applies.
Temporary residence
EU nationals: Will need to obtain a residence permit before the end of your first 90 days.
Non-EU nationals: Will need a visa if the stay is more than 90 days.
Working days
Schengen visa applications usually take 15 calendar days, but sometimes up to 45 days. Be mindful of the national holidays in Bulgaria as they may affect the processing time. It is recommended to submit applications at least four weeks prior to departure.
Sufficient Funds
Schengen visa applicants must be able to provide proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay.
Extension of stay
Schengen visa holders with a visa valid for less than 90 days can only extend their visas in exceptional circumstances, such as force majeure or for humanitarian reasons.
Entry with pets
When bringing a pet from another EU country, the animal must have a microchip or tattoo, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination certificate (the vaccination must have taken place at least 21 days prior to travel).
If you are entering Bulgaria from a non-EU country, please check with the consulate for the appropriate procedures.
This page reflects our understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel to the said country. However, please note that each authority sets and forces entry rules, hence we strongly recommend that you verify critical information with the relevant embassy before travel.
Embassies and tourist offices
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the USA
Telephone: +1 202 387 0174 or 7969 (consular office: Mon-Fri 1400-1700 only).
Website: http://www.bulgaria-embassy.org
Address: NW, Dimitar Peshev Plaza, 1621 22nd Street, Washington, 20008,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1730; Mon-Fri 0900-1230 (consular section).
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the UK
Telephone: +44 20 7581 3144 or +44 20 75849400 or +44 20 7589 3763 (visa section; individual enquiries; Mon-Fri 1300-1600 only).
Website: http://www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk
Address: Kensington, 186-188 Queen's Gate, London, SW7 5HL,
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0930-1330 (consular section).
