Last checked: October 2026
Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen Area, so one set of rules covers it and the rest of Schengen. Many visitors, including those from the US, UK and Canada, can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Others need a Schengen visa. The US State Department rates Bulgaria Level 1, exercise normal precautions, and we found no region marked ‘do not travel’.
Do you need a visa to visit Bulgaria?
It depends on your passport. Visa-exempt travellers can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, and that limit is shared across all Schengen countries, not just Bulgaria. If your nationality isn’t visa-exempt, you need a Schengen short-stay (type C) visa, which you apply for through a Bulgarian embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre. Confirm your own case with the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because lists and procedures can change.
Which group are you in?
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Passport is visa-exempt for Schengen | Travel without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180 days. Check the ETIAS start date before you book |
| Passport needs a Schengen visa | Apply in advance for a type C visa through a Bulgarian mission or visa centre |
| You hold a residence permit for another Schengen country | Check the rules for your permit; they may differ from visa-free tourist rules |
| You are only changing planes | Check airport transit rules with your airline, since some passports need a transit visa |
What are the new EU entry systems?
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) began in October 2025. It records fingerprints, a face photo and passport details of non-EU visitors on entry and exit, and it replaces passport stamping. The UK FCDO notes that border guards use entry and exit records to check you haven’t overstayed. Learn more on the official EU travel site.
ETIAS is a separate online travel authorisation planned for visa-exempt visitors to Schengen countries. Its launch date has been delayed before, so check the official ETIAS page for the date that applies to your trip, and avoid third-party sites that charge extra fees.
What documents should you carry?
- A valid passport. The US State Department says it should be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date from Bulgaria.
- Your Schengen visa, if you need one.
- Proof of accommodation and return or onward travel.
- Proof you can pay for your stay, in case officers ask.
- Travel insurance details. Many visa applications require it, and it’s sensible for every visitor.
- Any ETIAS approval, once it applies to your passport.
How long can you stay?
Visa-free and Schengen visa stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. Count days in all Schengen countries, including time you spent elsewhere in Europe. A multi-entry visa doesn’t reset your 90 days, so keep a day-by-day log. Overstaying can lead to fines, entry bans and problems with future visas, and EES now records exactly how long you stayed.
For stays over 90 days, you need a national long-stay (type D) visa for purposes such as work or study, and you must apply before you travel.
Can you work or study on a tourist stay?
No. Tourism and short business visits are allowed, but working or studying needs the right visa and permission. Check with a Bulgarian mission before you plan remote work or a longer stay.
Safety and entry notes
- Carry your passport or a copy, and keep the original locked in your hotel when you don’t need it.
- Use bank ATMs inside branches. The US State Department’s OSAC lists ATM skimming and card fraud among common threats.
- Expect petty theft in crowded tourist areas, and use licensed taxis or ride apps.
- Check the current US and UK advice before you go, including the US advisory and the UK entry requirements page.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the 90 days restart in each Schengen country.
- Booking before checking the ETIAS start date for your passport.
- Paying a third-party site for an ETIAS or visa that you could apply for directly.
- Forgetting travel insurance for a visa application.
- Arriving with a passport that’s close to expiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Bulgaria if I already have a Schengen visa?
A valid Schengen short-stay visa lets you enter Bulgaria, but your 90 days in 180 still apply across all Schengen countries. Check the dates and number of entries on your visa.
Is Bulgaria the same as Romania for visa rules?
Both are Schengen countries, so the same 90 in 180 rule applies. Check the latest border information, since controls and procedures can change.
Do children need their own documents?
Yes. Every traveller, including children, needs a valid passport, and may need a visa or ETIAS depending on nationality. Carry proof of parental consent if a child travels with only one parent.
Can I enter Bulgaria by land from a non-Schengen country?
Yes, at official border crossings, where the Entry/Exit System applies. Expect queues at busy borders such as those with Turkey or Serbia.