Bulgaria Visa Requirements 2026Entry Rules & Visa-Free Access by Passport

Visa-free nationalities
94
Visa on arrival
0
eTA / e-Visa
0
Total streamlined
94
Visa required in advance
104

Bulgaria's visa policy is moderately open relative to other destinations worldwide. If your nationality is not listed as visa-free, you will need to apply for a Bulgaria tourist visa in advance at an embassy or consulate.

Visa-free

Countries Whose Citizens Can Visit Bulgaria Visa-Free (94)

Passport holders from these countries can enter Bulgaria without a visa - no embassy appointment, no advance fee.

Show all 94

Fees

Bulgaria Visa Fees (updated 2 Jul 2026)

  • Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) - tourism/visit

    Up to 90 days in any 180-day periodofficial sourcemfa.bg ↗

    EUR 90 (~$102)

  • Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) - business

    Up to 90 days in any 180-day periodofficial sourcemfa.bg ↗

    EUR 90 (~$102)

  • Airport transit visa (Type A)

    Airport transit onlyofficial sourcemfa.bg ↗

    EUR 90 (~$102)

Compare official tourist-visa fees across every destination →

Applications are handled via VFS Global - a service fee applies on top of the visa fee and varies by country and centre.

Transit

Bulgaria Transit Visa

Bulgaria publishes a transit visa product for travellers passing through to another destination. Whether you need one depends on your nationality and whether you stay airside - see how transit visas work.

Visa A - Airport Transit Visa

Permits transit through the international transit areas of Bulgarian airports without entering the Schengen territory. Required for certain nationalities transiting through Sofia Airport.

~$97

Fee is EUR 90 (approx. USD 97) following the Schengen visa fee increase effective 11 June 2024 (raised from EUR 80); see European Commission notice (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/schengen-visa-fee-increased-11-june-2024-2024-06-13). Only required for nationals of countries listed in Annex IV of the Schengen Visa Code (Regulation (EC) 810/2009 as amended). Must be applied for at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in person. Processing standard is 15 calendar days; may extend to 30 days in individual cases.

Apply here ↗

FAQ

Bulgaria Visa Requirements FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit Bulgaria?

It depends on your nationality - the lists above show every nationality that can enter Bulgaria visa-free. If your country is not listed, you will likely need to apply for a Bulgaria tourist visa in advance at an embassy or consulate.

Which countries can visit Bulgaria without a visa?

94 countries can visit Bulgaria without a visa in 2026, including: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia. Use Earth Visa to check whether your specific passport grants visa-free access to Bulgaria.

How do I apply for a Bulgaria tourist visa?

If your nationality is not eligible for visa-free entry to Bulgaria, you typically need to apply at a Bulgaria embassy or consulate in your home country. Requirements generally include:

  • Valid passport
  • Completed application form
  • Passport-sized photos
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of onward travel
  • Travel insurance
  • Proof of sufficient funds

Processing times and fees vary by nationality and visa category - see the visa types and fees on this page for the exact figures.

How long can I stay in Bulgaria without a visa?

The maximum visa-free stay duration in Bulgaria varies by nationality. Common allowances are 30, 60, or 90 days. See the visa-free country list above for specific stay durations per nationality.

By nationality

Bulgaria Visa Guides by Nationality

Step-by-step Bulgaria visa requirements, fees and document checklists for travellers from these countries. Nationalities in the access lists above link straight to their own guides.

Show all 104

Check your specific visa requirements for Bulgaria

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