NOTE: This guide was last updated on 20.11.2024. Please check the authenticity and validity of the information on this website before proceeding with your visa application. Use Timatic and the official sources we provided on this page for the most up-to-date information.

Bulgaria Visa Guide

Bulgaria, the lesser-known gem of the Balkans, is the perfect travel destination for those seeking an unforgettable experience. With its delicious cuisine, distinct culture, and unique architecture, Bulgaria is the best place to bask in the Balkan atmosphere!

Bulgaria Visa Information

Fascinating with its rich cultural heritage and natural wonders, Bulgaria is among the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe, offering rich alternatives for both winter and summer tourism. If you need a Bulgaria visa to explore the country’s deep-rooted history and unique architecture, we’ve got you covered! In this Bulgaria visa guide, you can find all the information you need for a seamless Bulgaria visa application.

Bulgaria Visa

Having all the required documents and fulfilling all requirements are critical for your Bulgaria visa application. You can find the required documents, application process, and other details about the Bulgarian visa in this comprehensive Bulgaria Visa Guide that we have prepared for you.

As part of your Bulgaria visa application process, you will need to submit various documents depending on the purpose and duration of your travel. Although the flight ticket is not among the mandatory documents, reserving your flight may have a positive effect on the evaluation of your application. Therefore, you may consider booking a Bulgaria flight ticket in advance for a faster and smoother visa application process, improving the likelihood of your visa application being accepted. In addition, you can take advantage of early booking opportunities by purchasing your flight ticket beforehand and travelling to Bulgaria at advantageous prices.

Did You Book a Flight to Bulgaria?

Are you preparing for a trip to Bulgaria but haven’t bought your ticket yet? Check Pegasus Airlines’ flight tickets for an affordable and comfortable journey. Pegasus can help you with your itinerary too. Check our Bulgaria travel guide for tips and recommendations for your unforgettable trip.If you’re traveling to the capital, Sofia, or the second largest city, Plovdiv, there is a travel guide for Sofia and one for Plovdiv that might help you navigate in the city with ease.

You may also be interested in these articles:

Bulgaria Travel Guide

Sofia Travel Guide

Plovdiv Travel Guide

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Bulgaria?

Whether you need a visa to travel to Bulgaria depends on your nationality. As of March 31^st, 2024, Bulgaria became a member of the Schengen Area. In accordance with this development, Bulgaria is now able to issue Schengen Visas, which permit the visa-holder to travel throughout the Schengen Area freely. Similarly, those who obtained a long or short-term Schengen visa from another EU country can travel to Bulgaria without an additional visa.

Those who hold an EU or EEA passport can travel to Bulgaria without a visa. Plus, countries that have visa-free access to the Schengen Area might also travel to Bulgaria without applying for a Bulgaria visa.

Bulgaria Visa Types

You may need to apply for different types of Bulgarian visas, depending on the purpose and duration of your trip. So, you should determine the purpose of your travel and apply for the appropriate type of visa.

Short-term visas are usually issued for stays shorter than 90 days for tourist, commercial, family visit, and transit purposes. Long-term applications are considered within the scope of the Bulgaria D Visa, which entitles the applicant to stay longer than 90 days.

Bulgaria Schengen Visa (Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits)

Type C, or the uniform Schengen visa, is the visa applied for short-term touristic and commercial trips to Bulgaria. Citizens get the right to enter Bulgaria once or multiple times for their travels up to 90 days in 6 months with a short-term visa.

Bulgaria Type D Long-Term Visa

Type D visa is the type of visa required for travel to Bulgaria that will exceed 90 days. In addition, a long-term visa application is required for situations such as family reunification and residence permit. Bulgaria D visa grants its holder multiple entry-exit rights to Bulgaria, as long as it is valid.

The most common reasons for applying for a Category D visa are family reunification, business and work reasons, education, and immigration. The documents required for D-type visa applications are much more comprehensive, with a process that likely takes longer than the Category C visa.

General Requirements to Apply for a Bulgaria Visa

Some of the requirements when filling in Bulgaria visa applications are:

• All fields of the application form shall be filled in legibly in typed letters and must be in Latin letters, the way they are spelt in the foreign travel passport,
• The application shall be signed by the applicant only,
• Visa applications for fully or partially judicially disabled persons and minors shall be submitted by their legal representatives or by persons expressly authorised to do so,
• The regular travel document of the applicant must have been issued within the last 10 years, and its validity must expire no sooner than 3 months after the intended date of departure from Bulgaria – the travel document must also have two blank pages,
• Those who apply for a Category D Visa must participate in the obligatory personal interview – no exceptions shall be made to this requirement.

Required Documents for Bulgaria Visa Applications

The following documents are required during the Bulgarian visa application:

• A copy of the first page of the travel document – passport,
• Copies of your last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the US, if any,
• Printed, dated, and signed Bulgaria Visa Application Form,
• A passport-size photograph that fulfils the official criteria,
• A medical insurance valid for the EU member states covering the whole trip,
• Tickets or booking confirmations,
• Bank statements and other financial documents proving that the applicant has sufficient funds to finance their trip,
  • For employees: Three months' bank statement and letter issued by the employer on the company’s official letterhead establishing the position of the employee in the company, years in service, grant of leave and salary certificate for the last three (3) months,
  • For employers and self-employed: Visa request letter on official letterhead with company registration/ownership papers, three months bank statement, and three years' Income Tax returns,
  • For retirees: Retirement certificate and three months bank statement (saving and current a/c, if applicable),
  • For students: A letter from the school/university for a grant of leave, a copy of the valid ID, and proof of sufficient funds from the applicant or a sponsor.
• A visa cover letter that includes the purpose and duration of the trip,
• A copy of the technical passport of the car for the trip, if applicable.

If the applicant is under the age of 18 and travels unaccompanied by their parents:

• A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate,
• Original and photocopy of a notary-certified power of attorney by both parents/ guardians or by one parent/guardian that they agree their child to travel unaccompanied by them.

Additional Documents Required for Bulgaria Visa;

In visa applications, further documentation might be requested according to the employment status of the applicants and the purpose of the application.

Work Visa

If you are a non-EU national travelling to Bulgaria for work purposes, you will need to obtain a Single Permit before applying for a Type D visa. In order to obtain the said permit, you will need to provide the following documentation:

• A copy of your ID – a valid passport or replacing document with pages of personal data and photo are also
• Criminal records showing that the applicant has no previous convictions,
• Evidence for stable, regular and sufficient maintenance funds without referring to the social assistance system in the amount not lower than the minimal monthly work salary,
• Proof of accommodation,
• Proof of health insurance,
• Secondary professional education or specific professional qualifications and experience corresponding to the objective requirements of the occupation if required by the employer.

Student Visa

In addition to the regular documentation, students must also submit the following documents to apply for a Bulgaria student visa:

• Proof of admission to an educational programme,
• Proof of accommodation,
• Proof of health insurance,
• Sufficient financial resources to ensure your subsistence and your return to your country of origin,
• Medical certificate.

For more up-to-date information, do not forget to check the official website of the Republic of Bulgaria Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Bulgaria Visa Fees

Official fees must be paid for Bulgaria visa applications. In addition, a consultancy service fee is charged for the execution of transactions such as photographs, photocopies, application forms and courier services at the visa application centre. These counselling fees vary according to criteria such as application period and visa type.

Current visa fees determined as of November 2024:

According to Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, current visa fees for Bulgaria are:

• Countries with Visa Facilitation Agreement:
  • Albania,
  • Armenia,
  • Azerbaijan,
  • Belarus,
  • Georgia,
  • Moldova,
  • Montenegro,
  • North Macedonia,
  • Serbia,
  • Ukraine
• Full visa exemption for:
  • Cape Verde.