Bulgaria Travel Guide

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Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by foreign citizens traveling to Bulgaria.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents - EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
1. nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for tourist stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements.

Types of Visa and Cost

Entry visas (airport, transit, short-stay) generally cost £46. However fees do vary from country to country.

Working Days Required

Applications can take from 10 to 30 days depending on the type of visa applied for.

Travel Warnings

Most visits to Bulgaria are trouble-free but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate international terrorist attacks, which could be against civillian targets, including placed frequented by foreigners.

Organized criminal groups are active in casinos, nightclubs, prostitution and elsewhere. Serious crime is rare and people unconnected with these groups have not been specifically targeted. You should be aware that, on occasion, tourists have been the subject of overcharging in some late night bars and clubs.

There are reports of several incidents of British nationals being robbed in the tourist resort of Sunny Beach, where in some cases intimidation and force has been used. There have also been incidents in the residential areas of Sofia, Pleven and Topolovgrad in which properties belonging to British nationals were broken into.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

If European visitors or any of their dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to Bulgaria, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All nationals are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Vaccinations