Visas and Border Control
Since 1 January 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria has been a member of the EU and so enforces the General Visa Policy of the European Union, in keeping with the conditions of the Accession Treaty.
At present, Bulgaria issues only national visas, which do not give visitors the right to enter the Schengen area.
Visas are issued by the diplomatic and consular representatives of the Republic of Bulgaria, or by representatives of another member state of the European Union with which Bulgaria has an agreement for the presentation and acceptance of applications for visas and the issuance of visas.
Available visa types are as follows:
- Airport transit (visa type “A”)
- Short-term stay (visa type “C”
- Long-term stay (visa type “D”)
- A fee is charged for the issuance of visas, according to the Fee Tariff No 3
Useful links
Visitors can find further information on the application procedures and required documents for the issuance of visas, as well as the address of consular offices, on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Visitors can find further information and a practical information for tourists – COVID-19
Border control
Border control is implemented upon entering or exiting Bulgaria. The following border control checkpoints (BCCP) operate at the borders of the country.
- BCCP Bregovo
- BCCP Vrashka Chuka
- BCCP Kalotina
- BCCP Strezimirovtsi
- BCCP Oltomantsi
- BCCP Gyueshevo
- BCCP Stanke Lisichkovo
- BCCP Zlatarevo
- BCCP Malko Tarnovo
- BCCP Lesovo
- BCCP Kapitan Andreevo;
- BCCP Kulata
- BCCP Ilinden
- BCCP Kapitan Petko Voyvoda
- BCCP Ivaylovgrad
- BCCP Zlatograd
- BCCP Vidin – ferryboat
- BCCP Oryahovo – ferryboat
- BCCP Ruse – Danube bridge
- BCCP Silistra
- BCCP Kardam
- BCCP Durankulak
- BCCP Balchik
- BCCP Varna
- BCCP Burgas
- BCCP Tsarevo
- BCCP Sofia Airport
- BCCP Plovdiv Airport
- BCCP Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport
- BCCP Varna Airport
- BCCP Burgas Airport
Verification of documents and inspection of motor vehicles, freight, and personal effects is performed at these checkpoints, and complete documentation is conducted for persons who enter or exit the country, including verification of names, passport data, final destination of the trip, and the purpose of the visit. Depending on the location of the checkpoint, people and luggage may be examined with an X-ray scanner or metal detector, and video recording equipment may be employed.