🇧🇬Bulgaria Visa 2026: Entry Requirements
Europe· Updated 10/10/2026
Do you need a visa for Bulgaria?
It depends on your passport. Out of 198 nationalities documented by IziVisas, 93 enter Bulgaria visa-free and 105 must apply at a consulate before travelling.
Visa-free
93
nationalities
Consular visa
105
nationalities
Check the rule for your nationality
Pick your passport for the exact 2026 rule: fee, processing time, allowed stay and documents.
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- All nationalities
Transit visa for Bulgaria
Visa for airport or land transit.
- Stay:
- Same-day
- Fee:
- 90 EUR
Data updated on · Official source
Pick your nationality to see the rule
Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Coming up: announced entry rules
- Europe: ETIAS travel authorisationExpected by the EU in the last quarter of 2026
Visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online (€20) before entering any of the 30 countries concerned. Applications are not open yet: beware of websites already selling it. Official EU website
Insurance requiredInsurance for the Schengen visa (AXA Schengen)
If your passport needs a Schengen visa, it is a required document of the file: at least €30,000 of medical expenses. Any compliant insurer is accepted; AXA Schengen is one. Only the consulate decides whether the certificate is acceptable.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Bulgaria visa requirements by nationality
The entry regime Bulgaria applies to the passports most often checked on IziVisas. Open a row for the fee, the processing time, the documents and the allowed stay of that exact route.
Bulgaria visa types, fees and processing times
Every visa category Bulgaria publishes, with the official fee, the allowed stay and the processing time when the source states them. Eligibility depends on your nationality: open your route for the rule that applies to your passport.
| Visa | Category | Allowed stay | Official fee | Processing time | Entries | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay (tourism) | Short stay | 90 days per 180-day period | 90 EUR | 15-45 days | Portal | |
| EU Blue Card | Work | 4 years | 100 EUR | 60 days | Multiple | Portal |
| Single work permit | Work | 3 years | 100 EUR | 60 days | Multiple | Portal |
| Student visa | Study | Duration of programme | 100 EUR | 60 days | Portal | |
| Family Reunification | Family | 1 year | 100 EUR | 90 days | Portal | |
| Investor Residence | Investor | 5 years | 100 EUR | 60 days | Multiple | Portal |
| Airport transit visa | Transit | Same-day | 90 EUR | 15 days | Portal |
Visas
Visas from this country
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Information
Capital
Sofia
Population
6,700,000
Currency
Bulgarian lev (BGN лв)
Languages
Bulgarian, Turkish
Continent
Europe
Calling code
+359
Timezone
Europe/Sofia
Area
110,994 km²
Government
Unitary parliamentary republic
National day
3 March - National Liberation Day
Internet domain
.bg
About
Bulgaria is a Southeastern European country in the Balkans, an EU member since 2007. It features mountains, Black Sea beaches, and rich Thracian and Byzantine heritage. Its capital is Sofia.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Safety
Risk areas
Crime(Low)
- Avoid wearing visible valuables
- Stay vigilant in tourist areas
Terrorism(Low)
- Follow alerts from local authorities and the EU
Transport
- Use official taxis or recognized apps
Natural risks(Moderate seismic risks and seasonal floods)
- Check weather alerts in mountainous areas
Health(Adequate healthcare system but variable outside major cities)
- Standard vaccines recommended, travel insurance mandatory
Practical tips
- Register your trip with the MFA
- Have insurance covering medical care
- Respect Orthodox customs
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Cost of living
Accommodation
Food
Transport
Leisure
Health
Others
Indicative prices in USD in Sofia · estimated in October 2026
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Practical information
Electricity
Emergency numbers
Practical information
Right
unsafe
10-15% in restaurants
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Partner link: IziVisas earns a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Photos
Bulgaria
Orlin Ratchev
Bulgaria
Alex Stoev
Bulgaria
Dosio Dosev
Bulgaria
Bert Christiaens
Bulgaria
Son Tung Tran
Bulgaria
Hristofor Stoyanov
Bulgaria
Ogy Kovachev
Bulgaria
Krasimir Savchev
Bulgaria
Hristofor Stoyanov
Bulgaria
Yusuf sinan
Bulgaria
Vladislav Tsankov
Bulgaria
Ramon Karolan
Bulgaria
Denitsa Kireva
Bulgaria
Bogdan Giurca
Bulgaria
Silvana Kirilova
Bulgaria
Svetla Фотопавилион
Bulgaria
Valeria Drozdova
Bulgaria
Rainer Eck
Bulgaria
Valeria Drozdova
Bulgaria
Rainer Eck
Plan your trip
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Accommodation (Hotels.com)
Hotels and other stays, with a free-cancellation filter.
Partner links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Guides to prepare your trip
Transit visa 2026: when a simple layover requires a visa
Staying airside and crossing immigration are not governed by the same rules. When a transit visa becomes mandatory, the Schengen case, the…
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance: The 3 Official Criteria and the Pitfalls (2026)
€30,000 minimum, repatriation, full Schengen validity: what the Visa Code really requires, the mistakes that get applications refused, and…
Visa Refusal: The 10 Most Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Funds, home ties, insurance, inconsistencies… The 10 most common visa refusal reasons, how to avoid them, and your appeal options region by…
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Bulgaria?▾
It depends on your passport. IziVisas documents the entry regime for Bulgaria across 198 nationalities: 93 visa-free, 105 with a consular visa. Pick yours for the exact rule, with documents, fees and processing times.
Check by my nationality →How much does a Bulgaria visa cost?▾
Fees vary by visa type and nationality. The lowest published official fee is 90 EUR (Short-stay (tourism)). These are government fees only, providers and visa application centres add their own service charge.
Do you need a transit visa for Bulgaria?▾
Bulgaria issues a transit visa for travellers connecting or crossing the country without staying, valid Same-day. Conditions depend on your nationality, the length of the layover and whether you leave the airport's international zone.
Is it dangerous to travel to Bulgaria?▾
The overall risk level is currently rated "Overall risk level low to moderate for tourists, with urban vigilance recommended.". See the Safety tab on this page for details by topic (crime, transport, health, areas to avoid) and practical tips.
What currency is used in Bulgaria?▾
The official currency is Bulgarian lev (BGN лв). See sample prices (accommodation, meals, transport) in the cost of living section above.
What is the capital of Bulgaria?▾
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia. The main spoken languages are: Bulgarian, Turkish.
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