Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
| Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
| Turkey | Yes | 2 | Yes |
| Switzerland | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Other EU countries | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Germany | Yes, 1 | no | no |
| Austria | Yes, 1 | no | no |
ID cards/identity cards
[1] Citizens of EU countries and Switzerland can also enter the country with a valid identity card/identity card.
Passport information
Generally required. If a visa is required, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the stay, contain at least two free pages and must not be more than ten years old. If there is no visa requirement, the passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay, 3 months is recommended.
Visa information
A visa is generally required, except for uninterrupted and multiple stays totaling a maximum of 90 days per half year, calculated from the date of first entry, to citizens of the following countries listed in the table above: (a) EU countries and Switzerland; (b) [2] Turkish nationals holding a valid residence permit for a Schengen country or a valid Schengen visa (categories A and C) or a valid national visa (category D).
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Costs
Information about visas that may be required and their fees can be obtained from the consular representations. Visas are not issued at the borders.
Validity
Usually 3 months (single entry). Multiple-entry visas are valid for 3, 6 or 12 months for a maximum stay of 90 days per six-month period.
Transit
Transit travelers who continue their flight on the next connection within 24 hours and have valid documents for the onward journey and who do not leave the transit area do not need a transit visa. Note for Turkish nationals: Turkish nationals do not need a transit visa if they have a permanent residence permit for a Schengen country, Switzerland or Liechtenstein or have a visa for a Schengen country or a valid Schengen visa (category A or c) dispose. Turkish nationals and their accompanying children also do not need a transit visa if they are married to an EU citizen, travel together with him to or through Bulgaria and present the marriage certificate upon entry. In person or by post to the consular section of the embassy (see contact addresses). A personal application may be required. In person or by post to the consular section of the embassy (see contact addresses). A personal application may be required. In person or by post to the consular section of the embassy (see contact addresses). A personal application may be required.
Application required
(a) 1 application form (can be downloaded from the website of the competent diplomatic mission). (b) 1 recent color passport photo with a light background (3.5 x 4.5 cm). (c) Passport that is valid for at least three months after the stay and still contains two blank pages; Copy of the relevant pages. (d) Proof of sufficient funds in the amount of €50 per day (but at least €500 or hotel or package travel voucher, see (h)), an additional €200 for car trips. Excluded are the relatives of citizens of EU and EFTA countries. (e) Proof of health insurance valid in the EU covering not less than €30,000. This does not apply to relatives of citizens of EU and EFTA countries. (f) Travel Confirmation. This does not apply to relatives of citizens of EU and EFTA countries. (g) If applicable, a residence permit for Germany, Austria or Switzerland, which is still valid for at least six months after the stay; possibly copy. (h) Tourists: Receipt of pre-paid tourist services (hotels, tickets, etc.). This does not apply to relatives of citizens of EU and EFTA countries. (i) Private Visits: Certified Invitation. This does not apply to relatives of citizens of EU and EFTA countries. (j) Long-term visa category D: personal interview. (k) Business Visa: A certified letter of invitation from a Bulgarian company, a confirmation from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and a covering letter from the applicant’s company. (l) Cash Fee. If the application is submitted by post, the fee and additional processing fees must be paid in cash upon receipt of the postal item with the visaed passport. Family members of citizens of Bulgaria and EU countries are exempt from the fee. (m) Minors: Birth certificate and a notarized travel permit for minors traveling alone or with only one parent/guardian. A stamped, registered return envelope is required for delivery of the visaed passport.
Temporary Residence
EU citizens who want to stay longer than 3 months in Bulgaria must have their right of residence certified by the relevant administrative authority. Among other things, the passport is required for this.
Processing time
5-10 working days plus mail. The express processing in Munich takes 3-4 working days, in Bern 3 working days.
Proof of sufficient funds
Foreigners (except for nationals of the EU and EFTA countries and their relatives) must have sufficient funds upon entry (at least €50/day, also applies to short and transit trips, totaling no less than €500, or a voucher via prepaid services).
Legally Required Registration
Destination information upon entry: Individual travelers who are not EU citizens must indicate their destination, purpose of travel and address of their stay in Bulgaria upon entry. Travelers receive the registration form at the borders. When entering the country by air, the registration card must already be filled out on the plane. Transit travelers who leave the country within 24 hours are exempt from the registration requirement. For stays of more than 90 days, EU citizens must have their right of residence certified at the immigration office at the place of residence. EU citizens and Swiss citizens do not need a long-term visa or a work permit to work in Bulgaria for more than 90 days.
Documents required upon entry
All travelers must provide proof of health insurance valid in Bulgaria. For EU citizens, the European Health Insurance Card is sufficient, but it is strongly recommended that you also have travel health insurance with return travel insurance.
Entry with children
German: Children’s passport with photo or your own passport or identity card. Austrians: Own passport or identity card. Swiss: Own passport or identity card. Turkey: Own passport. Note: The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents. Children who require a visa need their own visa. Note: Bulgarian minors traveling alone require a parent/guardian consent form. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU). Entries of children in the parental passport are no longer possible.
Entry with pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets from EU countries and non-rabies-free third countries require an EU pet passport (pet pass), which can only be issued by authorized veterinarians, and must have an implanted microchip on their neck as an identifier. The pet passport must show that the animal has had a valid rabies vaccination and, if necessary, a valid booster vaccination against rabies. The import is limited to 5 animals. Pets under 4 months of age are exempt from the compulsory vaccination against rabies. The following additional regulation applies to dogs, cats and ferrets as well as to birds and small animals from non-rabies-free third countries: A health certificate is required for each animal. For entry into the EU area, a test for the presence of vaccinal antibodies must be carried out on pets 3 months before entry. Exception: The 3-month period does not apply to pets whose EU pet passport shows that the blood was taken before this animal left the territory of the Community and that the blood analysis showed sufficient antibodies to rabies. For dogs, cats and ferrets from rabies-free third countries (e.g. Switzerland, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Vatican City) the pet passport, which confirms a valid rabies vaccination, can also be used for import.
