Bulgaria visa and entry requirementsSchengen Short-Stay Visa
- Fee
- 90 EUR
- Processing
- up to 45 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says children aged 6 to under 12 are exempt from the visa fee (the Visa Code rate for them is EUR 45), as are applicants under 6.
Bulgaria visa and entry requirements
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria has been part of the Schengen area since 31 March 2024, when checks at internal air and sea borders were abolished, and that checks at internal land borders were lifted on 1 January 2025. Its visa table marks no visa for ordinary-passport holders from countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan; nationals of the countries in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 are visa-free for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. EU nationals travel with a passport or ID card. The EU Visa Code sets the Schengen visa fee at EUR 90.
Every fact on this page verified on or after: Aug 26, 2026· How this site works
Check requirements for your passport
Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.
How long you can stay
90 days in any rolling 180-day period
90 days in any rolling 180-day period, counted across the whole Schengen Area rather than per country. The day you arrive counts as the first day and the day you leave counts as the last. Leaving and coming back does not reset the allowance: on any given day, days already spent anywhere in the area during the preceding 180 still count against the 90.
- Leaving and re-entering does not start a fresh allowance.
- The day you arrive counts as a full day.
- The day you leave counts as a full day.
This limit is the one set for travellers who need permission to enter. It does not cap a stay you make under freedom of movement.
Work out your own dates in the stay calculator · Compare every country
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Article 4(1) · archived copy Jul 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)Visas & entry authorisations
Schengen Short-Stay Visa — European Union and Armenia visa facilitation agreement
- Fee
- 35 EUR
- Processing
- up to 30 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
Set by the EU–Armenia visa facilitation agreement instead of the Visa Code's EUR 90; waived for pensioners and children under 12, among other listed categories.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa — European Union and Azerbaijan visa facilitation agreement
- Fee
- 35 EUR
- Processing
- up to 30 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
Set by the EU–Azerbaijan visa facilitation agreement instead of the Visa Code's EUR 90; waived for pensioners and children under 12, among other listed categories.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa — European Union and Belarus visa facilitation agreement
- Fee
- 35 EUR
- Processing
- up to 30 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
Set by the EU–Belarus visa facilitation agreement instead of the Visa Code's EUR 90; EUR 70 when the applicant asks for a decision within two days and the consulate agrees; waived for children under 12, among other listed categories. Council Decision (EU) 2021/1940 suspended certain provisions for members of Belarusian official delegations, governments, parliaments and high courts.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa — European Union and Cabo Verde short-stay visa agreement
- Fee
- 67.5 EUR
- Processing
- up to 45 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
Set by the EU–Cabo Verde visa facilitation agreement as amended in 2021 at 75% of the fee charged under domestic legislation (the Visa Code fee is EUR 90); children aged 12 to 17 are charged 50% of the applicable fee, and children under 12 pay nothing, among other listed categories.
Schengen Short-Stay Visa for Russian nationals
- Fee
- 90 EUR
- Processing
- up to 45 days
- Stay per entry
- 90 days
The Visa Code fee of EUR 90; Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says children between 6 and under 12 are exempt. The EU–Russia visa facilitation agreement has been suspended in whole for Russian citizens since 12 September 2022 (Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500). The European Commission said on 7 November 2025 that Russian nationals will no longer be able to receive multiple-entry visas and will have to apply for a new visa each time they plan to travel to the EU, with exceptions for limited and justified cases such as independent journalists and human rights defenders.
Long-Stay Visa (Type D)
- Fee
- 100 EUR
- Processing
- —
- Stay per entry
- 180 days
- Entries
- multiple
Under article 15(1) of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act the visa is issued for up to 6 months with a right to stay of up to 180 days; a long-stay visa under article 15(2) — up to one year, with a stay of up to 360 days — costs EUR 200.
Entry requirements
Passport validity
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says visa applicants need a passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from Bulgaria, issued within the last 10 years and with at least 2 blank pages. The UK government gives British visitors the same 3-month and 10-year rules for the Schengen area.
At least 2 blank pages required. Compare every country
Vaccinations
Not officially statedNo official source we read lists a vaccination certificate required for entry.
Travel insurance
RequiredBulgaria's Foreign Ministry asks visa applicants for medical insurance valid in the EU for the whole trip, covering repatriation, urgent medical care and emergency hospital treatment, of at least EUR 30,000, as the EU Visa Code requires. Canada's travel advice says Canadian visitors must present proof of medical insurance with at least €30,000 coverage valid in the EU.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15(3) · archived copy Oct 8, 2025 (opens in a new tab)Compare every country: Countries that require travel insurance to enter
Onward or return ticket
Not officially statedNo official source we could read states that a return or onward ticket is required to enter Bulgaria. The Schengen Borders Code (Annex I) lists a return or round-trip ticket among the supporting documents that may be used to verify that entry conditions are met.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code), Article 6(1)(c)
Proof of funds
RequiredThe European Commission's table of reference amounts set by national authorities lists Bulgaria at EUR 50 per person per day, and EUR 500 per stay.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
Arrival cards & declarations
Required- EES — Entry/Exit System (biometric registration) — Non-EU travellers arriving at a Schengen border crossing point for the first time since the EU Entry/Exit System started have a photo of their face taken and/or their fingerprints scanned, and passports are not stamped. The EU says this can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance at self-service equipment or in a mobile app, where available. The UK government's travel advice says there is no cost for EES registration. (at the border on first entry) travel-europe.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — European Travel Information and Authorization System — ETIAS is the EU's new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries. It is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected; the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. (before travel, once etias starts) travel-europe.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)
Staying past your permitted stay
Fine: 500 to 5,000 BGN
A foreigner who stays in the country after the permitted period expires is fined 500 to 5,000 leva; for a repeat offence the fine is 1,000 to 10,000 leva. Return is imposed when the foreigner does not leave by the end of the permitted period. A ban on entry to and residence in the EU member states is imposed when no period for voluntary departure is granted or the foreigner fails to comply with the return obligation; it lasts up to 5 years.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: aref.government.bg (opens in a new tab) · Закон за чужденците в Република БългарияCompare every country: What staying past your permitted stay costs, country by country
Registering your presence after arrival
Requiredwithin 3 days of arrival. Done by the accommodation.
A natural or legal person who gives shelter to a foreigner must notify the foreigners' administrative control service or the local Interior Ministry office in writing within 3 days, giving the foreigner's names, date of birth, citizenship and identity-document number and series. Hotel operators register a foreign guest in the register under art. 116(1) of the Tourism Act. Failure is fined 100 to 1,000 leva for a natural person, or 500 to 5,000 leva for a legal person.
If not done: Fine of 100 to 1,000 leva for a natural person, and a property sanction of 500 to 5,000 leva for a legal person, that fails to meet the obligations of art. 28.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: aref.government.bg (opens in a new tab) · Закон за чужденците в Република БългарияCompare every country: Registering your presence after arrival, country by country
Customs & currency
The EU says cash of €10,000 or more (or the equivalent) must be declared when entering or leaving the EU.
- Arriving from outside the EU, the EU's Your Europe portal gives a duty-free allowance of 4 litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus 1 litre of spirits over 22% (or 2 litres of fortified or sparkling wine); 200 cigarettes (or 250 g of tobacco), or 40 cigarettes (or 50 g of tobacco) in countries applying the lower limit, which its indicative list says Bulgaria applies to land and sea travellers; and other goods worth up to €300, or €430 by air or sea. Under-17s get no alcohol or tobacco allowance.
- Between EU countries, the EU says each country can set guideline quantities for alcohol and tobacco, which may not be lower than 800 cigarettes or 10 litres of spirits.
- The UK Foreign Office says you cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries, with some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and foods required for medical reasons.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: europa.eu (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Country in a nutshell
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €)
- Cards & payments
- Canada's travel advice says Bulgaria's economy is primarily cash-based, though most businesses also accept major credit cards and ATMs are widely available. The UK Foreign Office says major credit and debit cards are accepted in most banks and hotels.
- Safety — Generally safe
- The UK Foreign Office warns of pickpockets and bag thefts in tourist areas, on buses and trains and at major transport hubs, and of an increase in unlicensed taxis from Sofia airport overcharging passengers; it advises taking an official, licensed taxi from the booking office in the arrivals hall.Verified Oct 6, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
- Power plugs
- C, F · 230V 50Hz
- Emergency numbers
- General emergencies: 112
- Languages
- Bulgarian
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (UTC+3 in summer)
- International Driving Permit
Bulgaria is a party to the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic (UN Treaty Collection). Canada's travel advice says Canadians can drive with a Canadian driver's licence for up to 90 days after arrival and must carry an international driving permit for longer stays. No Bulgarian official source we could read states the rule for visitors driving on a foreign licence.
Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: treaties.un.org (opens in a new tab) · Convention on Road Traffic · archived copy Aug 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) Compare every country- Motorway vignette — electronic, tied to the number plate
Mandatory · national road network. Vehicles up to 3.5 t and M1 motor caravans.
- Daily€5.30
- Weekend€6.60
- Weekly€10.00
- Monthly€19.90
- Quarterly€35.90
- Annual€64.50
Bulgaria's Road Infrastructure Agency says the e-vignette's validity can be checked on bgtoll.bg by entering the vehicle registration number and country of registration. New prices took effect on 1 August 2026. Buy from bgtoll.bg, the mobile app or the official partner network at the designated price without additional fees, or at staffed desks at the main border crossings and the regional road administrations or self-service terminals; online, an e-vignette can be bought up to 30 calendar days before it starts.
Without one: €46.50 — Compensatory fee for vehicles up to 3.5 t and M1 motor caravans, from 1 August 2026.
Buy on the official site (opens in a new tab)
Verified Oct 7, 2026 · Source: bgtoll.bg (opens in a new tab) Compare every country- Tap water
- not for drinking. Use bottled
Best time to visit
No official source we could read gives a best time to visit Bulgaria.
Tips & warnings
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria has been part of the Schengen area since 31 March 2024 and that checks on persons at internal land borders were lifted on 1 January 2025. It says the 90-days-in-180 short-stay allowance is counted from the moment of entry into the Schengen area, including for Bulgaria.
The UK Foreign Office reports an increase in unlicensed taxis from Sofia airport overcharging passengers and advises taking an official, licensed taxi from the booking office in the arrivals hall and checking that the meter is working.
The UK government says the euro became Bulgaria's currency on 1 January 2026 and that the lev was still accepted until 31 January and can be exchanged for euros free of charge at Bulgarian banks until 30 June 2026; Canada's travel advice says outdated leva can be exchanged for free at the Bulgarian National Bank.
Once ETIAS starts, the EU says its official ETIAS website and app are where you apply; it is the only EU website that takes applications directly, at EUR 20, and any additional fee charged by an intermediary goes to that intermediary.
Visa requirements by nationality
| Passports | Visas & entry authorisations | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Embassy visa | — |
| Albania | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Algeria | Embassy visa | — |
| Andorra | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Angola | Embassy visa | — |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Argentina | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Armenia | Embassy visa | — |
| Australia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Austria | Free movement | — |
| Azerbaijan | Embassy visa | — |
| Bahamas | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Bahrain | Embassy visa | — |
| Bangladesh | Embassy visa | — |
| Barbados | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Belarus | Embassy visa | — |
| Belgium | Free movement | — |
| Belize | Embassy visa | — |
| Benin | Embassy visa | — |
| Bhutan | Embassy visa | — |
| Bolivia | Embassy visa | — |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Botswana | Embassy visa | — |
| Brazil | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Brunei | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Bulgaria | Free movement | — |
| Burkina Faso | Embassy visa | — |
| Burundi | Embassy visa | — |
| Cabo Verde | Embassy visa | — |
| Cambodia | Embassy visa | — |
| Cameroon | Embassy visa | — |
| Canada | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Central African Republic | Embassy visa | — |
| Chad | Embassy visa | — |
| Chile | Visa-free | 90 days |
| China | Embassy visa | — |
| Colombia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Comoros | Embassy visa | — |
| Costa Rica | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Embassy visa | — |
| Croatia | Free movement | — |
| Cuba | Embassy visa | — |
| Cyprus | Free movement | — |
| Czechia | Free movement | — |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Embassy visa | — |
| Denmark | Free movement | — |
| Djibouti | Embassy visa | — |
| Dominica | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Dominican Republic | Embassy visa | — |
| Ecuador | Embassy visa | — |
| Egypt | Embassy visa | — |
| El Salvador | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Equatorial Guinea | Embassy visa | — |
| Eritrea | Embassy visa | — |
| Estonia | Free movement | — |
| Eswatini | Embassy visa | — |
| Ethiopia | Embassy visa | — |
| Fiji | Embassy visa | — |
| Finland | Free movement | — |
| France | Free movement | — |
| Gabon | Embassy visa | — |
| Gambia | Embassy visa | — |
| Georgia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Germany | Free movement | — |
| Ghana | Embassy visa | — |
| Greece | Free movement | — |
| Grenada | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Guatemala | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Guinea | Embassy visa | — |
| Guinea-Bissau | Embassy visa | — |
| Guyana | Embassy visa | — |
| Haiti | Embassy visa | — |
| Honduras | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Hong Kong | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Hungary | Free movement | — |
| Iceland | Free movement | — |
| India | Embassy visa | — |
| Indonesia | Embassy visa | — |
| Iran | Embassy visa | — |
| Iraq | Embassy visa | — |
| Ireland | Free movement | — |
| Israel | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Italy | Free movement | — |
| Jamaica | Embassy visa | — |
| Japan | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Jordan | Embassy visa | — |
| Kazakhstan | Embassy visa | — |
| Kenya | Embassy visa | — |
| Kiribati | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Kosovo | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Kuwait | Embassy visa | — |
| Kyrgyzstan | Embassy visa | — |
| Laos | Embassy visa | — |
| Latvia | Free movement | — |
| Lebanon | Embassy visa | — |
| Lesotho | Embassy visa | — |
| Liberia | Embassy visa | — |
| Libya | Embassy visa | — |
| Liechtenstein | Free movement | — |
| Lithuania | Free movement | — |
| Luxembourg | Free movement | — |
| Macau | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Madagascar | Embassy visa | — |
| Malawi | Embassy visa | — |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Maldives | Embassy visa | — |
| Mali | Embassy visa | — |
| Malta | Free movement | — |
| Marshall Islands | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Mauritania | Embassy visa | — |
| Mauritius | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Mexico | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Micronesia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Moldova | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Monaco | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Mongolia | Embassy visa | — |
| Montenegro | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Morocco | Embassy visa | — |
| Mozambique | Embassy visa | — |
| Myanmar | Embassy visa | — |
| Namibia | Embassy visa | — |
| Nauru | Embassy visa | — |
| Nepal | Embassy visa | — |
| Netherlands | Free movement | — |
| New Zealand | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Nicaragua | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Niger | Embassy visa | — |
| Nigeria | Embassy visa | — |
| North Korea | Embassy visa | — |
| North Macedonia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Norway | Free movement | — |
| Oman | Embassy visa | — |
| Pakistan | Embassy visa | — |
| Palau | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Palestine | Embassy visa | — |
| Panama | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Papua New Guinea | Embassy visa | — |
| Paraguay | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Peru | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Philippines | Embassy visa | — |
| Poland | Free movement | — |
| Portugal | Free movement | — |
| Qatar | Embassy visa | — |
| Republic of the Congo | Embassy visa | — |
| Romania | Free movement | — |
| Russia | Embassy visa | — |
| Rwanda | Embassy visa | — |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Saint Lucia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Samoa | Visa-free | 90 days |
| San Marino | Visa-free | 90 days |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Embassy visa | — |
| Saudi Arabia | Embassy visa | — |
| Senegal | Embassy visa | — |
| Serbia | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Seychelles | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Sierra Leone | Embassy visa | — |
| Singapore | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Slovakia | Free movement | — |
| Slovenia | Free movement | — |
| Solomon Islands | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Somalia | Embassy visa | — |
| South Africa | Embassy visa | — |
| South Korea | Visa-free | 90 days |
| South Sudan | Embassy visa | — |
| Spain | Free movement | — |
| Sri Lanka | Embassy visa | — |
| Sudan | Embassy visa | — |
| Suriname | Embassy visa | — |
| Sweden | Free movement | — |
| Switzerland | Free movement | — |
| Syria | Embassy visa | — |
| Taiwan | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Tajikistan | Embassy visa | — |
| Tanzania | Embassy visa | — |
| Thailand | Embassy visa | — |
| Timor-Leste | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Togo | Embassy visa | — |
| Tonga | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Tunisia | Embassy visa | — |
| Turkey | Embassy visa | — |
| Turkmenistan | Embassy visa | — |
| Tuvalu | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Uganda | Embassy visa | — |
| Ukraine | Visa-free | 90 days |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa-free | 90 days |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free | 90 days |
| United States | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Uruguay | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Uzbekistan | Embassy visa | — |
| Vanuatu | Embassy visa | — |
| Vatican City | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Venezuela | Visa-free | 90 days |
| Vietnam | Embassy visa | — |
| Yemen | Embassy visa | — |
| Zambia | Embassy visa | — |
| Zimbabwe | Embassy visa | — |
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czechia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
ZimbabweStay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
Neighboring countries
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Bulgaria?
The EU says EU nationals can travel freely in the EU and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with a valid passport or national ID card. Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry visa table marks no visa for ordinary-passport holders from countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan; nationals of countries in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 are visa-free for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. Nationalities the table marks as needing a visa, such as China, apply for a Schengen visa; the EU Visa Code fee is EUR 90.
Is Bulgaria in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry says Bulgaria has been part of the Schengen area since 31 March 2024, when checks at internal air and sea borders were abolished, and that checks on persons at internal land borders with and between Bulgaria and Romania were lifted on 1 January 2025. It says time spent in Bulgaria by holders of a valid Schengen visa counts towards the 90 days allowed in the Schengen area in any 180-day period.
What currency does Bulgaria use?
The euro. The UK government says the euro became Bulgaria's currency on 1 January 2026, and Canada's travel advice says outdated leva can be exchanged for free at the Bulgarian National Bank. Canada also says the economy is primarily cash-based, though most businesses also accept major credit cards.
Is ETIAS required to enter Bulgaria?
ETIAS is the EU's new travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to enter 30 European countries, Bulgaria among them. It is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected; the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. The application fee will be EUR 20, with applicants under 18 or over 70 exempt from paying.
How do I stay in Bulgaria longer than 90 days?
Apply for a long-stay (type D) visa at the Bulgarian diplomatic or consular mission for your country of permanent residence; a personal interview is obligatory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets the application charge at EUR 100, or EUR 200 for applications under article 15(2) of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act.
Sources & verification
Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:
- Agreement between the EU and the Federated States of Micronesia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 289, 25.10.2016, p. 4), art. 4(1)–(2): visa-free stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period; art. 8(1): entry into force and provisional application (opens in a new tab)
- Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Swiss Confederation on the free movement of persons — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Armenia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the facilitation of the issuance of visas — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Belarus on the facilitation of the issuance of visas — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cabo Verde amending the Agreement on facilitating the issue of short-stay visas — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Australian Government (Smartraveller) — Bulgaria travel advice: health (opens in a new tab)
- Bulgarian Foreign Ministry — visa regime table for ordinary passports (last update 2 July 2026): "Nauru, Republic of — Yes" (visa required) (opens in a new tab)
- Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa for Bulgaria (opens in a new tab)
- CIA World Factbook — Bulgaria: climate (Factbook discontinued in 2026; cited from its archived copy) (opens in a new tab)
- Council Decision (EU) 2021/1940 on the partial suspension of the EU–Belarus visa facilitation agreement — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Council Decision (EU) 2022/1500 — suspension in whole of the EU–Russia visa facilitation agreement (opens in a new tab)
- Council of the EU, Treaties and Agreements database — EU–Federated States of Micronesia short-stay visa waiver agreement: in force since 1 August 2017 (notifications: EU 16 February 2017, Micronesia 22 June 2017; provisionally applied from 20 September 2016) (opens in a new tab)
- Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs — list of visa fees (EUR/GBP/CZK), January 2025 (opens in a new tab)
- Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- EEA Joint Committee Decision No 158/2007 incorporating Directive 2004/38/EC into the EEA Agreement — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — Official EU website (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — Official EU website: frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab)
- EUR-Lex summary of EU legislation — Visa waiver agreements (every EU short-stay visa waiver agreement and its date of entry into force; none with Nauru) (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission — Daily News 7 November 2025: no more multiple-entry visas for Russian nationals (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission — Reference amounts required for the crossing of the external border, fixed by national authorities (opens in a new tab)
- European Commission (DG HOME) / eu-LISA — Travel to Europe: How does the EES work? (opens in a new tab)
- European Union, official ETIAS website (European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, and eu-LISA) — Who should apply: the 30 European countries requiring ETIAS, the visa-exempt nationalities that will need it, and those exempt (including nationals of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco and holders of Vatican City State or Holy See passports); ETIAS is not yet in operation (opens in a new tab)
- Government of Canada — Bulgaria travel advice and advisories (driving) (opens in a new tab)
- IEC World Plugs (International Electrotechnical Commission) — plug types, voltage and frequency by location (opens in a new tab)
- Information relating to the entry into force of the EU–Cabo Verde amending agreement (1 July 2022) — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria — Fees (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria — Long-stay visa (type D) leaflet (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria — visas for Bulgaria (opens in a new tab)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 listing the third countries whose nationals must hold a visa — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 listing visa-required and visa-exempt nationalities, consolidated text — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Road Infrastructure Agency — e-vignette prices from 1 August 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Schengen Borders Code (Regulation (EU) 2016/399), consolidated — Article 6(1)–(2) (opens in a new tab)
- State Agency for Refugees (aref.government.bg) — Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria, consolidated text (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- UK FCDO — Bulgaria travel advice: safety and security (opens in a new tab)
- UK FCDO — Bulgaria travel advice: warnings (areas where FCDO advises against travel) (opens in a new tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Bulgaria travel advice: entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — Bulgaria travel advice: getting help (opens in a new tab)
- UK Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (FCDO) — Bulgaria toponymic factfile: languages (opens in a new tab)
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949), status of parties (opens in a new tab)
- UN Treaty Collection — Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 1968), status of parties (opens in a new tab)
- United Nations — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 13(2) (opens in a new tab)
- Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009), consolidated text — EUR-Lex (opens in a new tab)
- Your Europe (EU) — alcohol, tobacco and excise duties (allowances) (opens in a new tab)
- Your Europe (EU) — travelling with cash (opens in a new tab)
- Your Europe (European Union) — Travel documents for EU nationals: EU nationals may travel freely in the 27 EU countries and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland with a valid passport or national ID card (opens in a new tab)
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