Bulgaria
General visa requirements for travelling to Bulgaria. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.
Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.
Transit visa (Visa-Free Transit (Annex II Countries))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Visa free
- Maximum stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
- Validity
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Entry
- Single entry
Nationals of Annex II countries can transit through Bulgaria without a visa as part of their 90-day visa-free allowance within the Schengen area.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Must hold a passport from an EU Regulation 2018/1806 Annex II listed country
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
Transit visa (Schengen Short-Stay Transit Visa (Type C))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Processing time
- 15 calendar days
- Fee
- EUR 90 (adults), EUR 45 (children 6-11), free (children under 6)
- Validity
- 90 days in any 180-day period
- Entry
- Single entry
Short-stay visa for land or sea transit through Bulgaria to a third country. For Annex I nationals who are not on the airport transit visa list but need to pass through Bulgarian territory. Allows entry into Bulgarian territory for transit purposes.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Nationals of Annex I countries transiting through Bulgarian territory by land or sea
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: 35mm x 45mm, color, light background, face covering 70-80% of photo
-
Travel insurance
Coverage area: All EU/Schengen member states; Minimum coverage: EUR 30,000
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: No
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Schengen Visa Application Form; Form url: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/bgr/
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 90
How to apply
-
Online application
Fill in the Schengen visa application form specifying transit purpose
-
Document gathering
Collect passport, photos, travel insurance, confirmed travel tickets, and valid visa for destination country
-
Fee payment
Pay EUR 90 visa fee
-
Appointment booking
Schedule appointment at VFS Global or Bulgarian consulate
-
Document submission
Attend appointment and submit documents
-
Processing wait
Processing takes approximately 15 calendar days
-
Visa collection
Collect passport with visa sticker
Transit visa (Airport Transit Visa (Type A))
Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026
Embassy required
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Processing time
- 15 calendar days
- Fee
- EUR 90 (adults), EUR 45 (children 6-11), free (children under 6)
- Validity
- 90 days
- Entry
- Single entry
Airport transit visa for nationals of specific countries who need to pass through the international transit area of a Bulgarian airport. Cannot be granted at the border or on arrival. Valid for single, double, or multiple entries within 3 months. Only allows access to the transit zone, not entry into Bulgarian territory.
Eligibility
-
Nationality
Required for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka transiting through Bulgarian airports
Documents you need
-
Passport
Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 3
-
Photo
Count: 2; Specifications: 35mm x 45mm, color, light background, face covering 70-80% of photo
-
Flight reservation
Provide flight booking or itinerary evidence when the route asks for travel plans.
Must be confirmed: Yes; Must show return: No
-
Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Schengen Visa Application Form (Transit); Form url: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/are/en/bgr/
-
Visa fee payment
Accepted methods: Cash, bank transfer; Amount: EUR 90
How to apply
-
Online application
Fill in the Schengen visa application form specifying airport transit purpose
-
Document gathering
Collect passport, photos, confirmed onward flight ticket, and valid visa for destination country if required
-
Fee payment
Pay EUR 90 visa fee
-
Document submission
Submit application in person at Bulgarian embassy or consulate before travel
-
Processing wait
Processing takes approximately 15 calendar days
-
Visa collection
Collect passport with transit visa sticker