Visas to Bulgaria Print

Need / do not need a Bulgarian visa

Nationals of the United States of America, members of the European Union, nationals of Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for a short-time period.

American, Australian, UK, Irish nationals can stay in Bulgaria without a visa up to 30 days, after which they need to apply for a visa to extend their stay.

EU residents can enter Bulgaria for 90 days without a visa within a six-month period. EU nationals are required to have a national ID card or passport, valid for at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. For stays longer than 90 days foreign nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit.

Bulgarian government approved a special visa agreement with Turkey and Turkish nationals could stay in the country up to 90 days with a single or multiple transit visas.

Other foreign nationals should apply for a Bulgarian tourist or business visa in accordance with the Bulgaria embassy requirements to enter the country.

Tourist / Business visa

Tourist visa application requires to have a completed and signed visa application form, 1 passport type photograph, valid passport. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of the proposed visit is required.

Business visa needs a letter of invitation from Bulgarian host and a business letter from the sending foreign company that explains the purpose of travel and duties to be performed in Bulgaria and guarantees the financial support for the applicant while his stay in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian visas are issued by the Bulgarian embassies and consulates abroad. A visa is issued only to holders of passports or travel documents valid for Bulgaria for at least 3 months after the end of the intended stay.

Tourists on a package tour or in an organised group booked through a recognised travel agent or tour operator do not require visas.

Transit visa is given out if you are only travelling through Bulgaria on your way to another destination and is available both in single and double entry.

Registering in Bulgaria 

Visitors to Bulgaria are required to register with the local police within 48 hours of their arrival. Most hotels, hostels, campsites, or rooms rented through an agency should take care of this for you, but private stays require visitors to make this registration by themselves.