BulgariaBusiness and self-employment

Bulgaria business visa (Schengen type C)

Uniform Schengen visa for business trips (short-stay visa, type C)

In short

Business travellers visiting Bulgarian companies, trade fairs or conferences for up to 90 days in 180 use the uniform Schengen visa, type C. The fee is EUR 90 and frequent travellers can be issued multiple-entry visas. A business visa covers meetings and negotiations, not paid work for a Bulgarian employer.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Validity
Single or multiple entry; multiple-entry visas can be valid for longer periods for regular travellers.
Fee
€90Ministry of Foreign Affairs fee for short-stay visas, not refundable (fee page checked 2026-10-24).
Processing time
15 days as a rule, up to 45 days.
Work
Business activities such as meetings and negotiations only; no employment.
Where to apply
Bulgarian mission responsible for your place of legal residence.

When a business visa is the right choice

Use the business visa for short trips to negotiate contracts, attend trade fairs and conferences, meet suppliers or clients, or visit a branch of your own company. The stay counts towards the Schengen limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Installing equipment, providing services on a Bulgarian site or working for a Bulgarian employer is employment. Posted workers and staff transferred within a group need an Employment Agency or Ministry of Interior permit and usually a D visa; seasonal work of up to 90 days has its own registration procedure.

Business evidence

Besides the standard Schengen documents, bring an invitation from the Bulgarian company or the fair organiser stating the purpose, dates and who pays costs, and a letter from your own employer confirming your position and the reason for the trip. A trade registry extract of your company, previous contracts or invoices with the Bulgarian partner and fair registration confirmations strengthen the file.

For a multiple-entry visa, show a history of regular trips and lawful use of earlier Schengen visas.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area, issued within the last 10 years, with blank pages for the visa.
  • Completed and signed Schengen visa application form and a photo meeting ICAO standards; fingerprints are taken at submission.

Money

  • Company or personal bank statements showing that travel costs are covered.

Work

  • Invitation from the Bulgarian company, institution or fair organiser with dates, purpose and who covers costs.
  • Letter from your employer confirming your position, salary and the business purpose of the trip; trade registry extract for business owners.

Insurance

  • Travel medical insurance covering emergency care, hospital treatment and repatriation, including in the event of death.

Fee, timing and processing

The visa charge is EUR 90 and is not refunded after a refusal. Apply between six months and 15 days before the trip; the standard decision time is 15 days and may be extended to 45 days. If a visa centre handles the appointment it may charge a separate service fee.

Refusals

Common reasons are an unclear purpose, doubts about the authenticity of the invitation, insufficient means or doubts about your intention to leave. The refusal form explains the reasons and how to appeal.

Moving from business trips to a company in Bulgaria

A business visa cannot be changed into residence in Bulgaria. Foreigners who want to manage or own a Bulgarian trading company need a D visa and a residence permit on a specific legal ground: Article 24(1)(2) of the Foreigners Act requires the commercial activity to create at least 10 full-time jobs for Bulgarian citizens per partner or manager, and representatives of a foreign company’s registered trade representation (up to two per representation) can obtain residence after certification by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Investor and start-up routes are described on the investor page.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Obtain the invitation from your Bulgarian partner or the event organiser.
  2. Book an appointment at the Bulgarian mission responsible for your residence.
  3. Fill in the Schengen application and gather the business and financial documents.
  4. Submit in person, give fingerprints and pay EUR 90.
  5. Collect the visa and keep the invitation with you when travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sign contracts in Bulgaria on a business visa?

Yes. Negotiating and signing contracts and attending meetings are typical business-visit activities. Paid work for a Bulgarian client on site is not.

Can my company send me to Bulgaria to provide a service?

Posted workers need a permit. The Employment Agency issues a work permit for posted staff on the request of the Bulgarian host, for up to one year, at a fee of BGN 400 (EUR 204.52).

How long is a business visa valid?

For the dates of the trip, or longer as a multiple-entry visa; each stay still counts towards 90 days in 180.

Does the trip need to be mainly in Bulgaria?

Yes, if you apply to Bulgaria. Apply to the Schengen state where you will spend the longest time.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Bulgaria

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Residence permit for up to one year, renewable; 18 months for the final year of studies.
  • Researcher visa Maximum stay: Permit for the length of the hosting agreement, up to one year at a time, renewable.

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Three years, or the duration of the employment contract if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Maximum stay: Up to 5 years, at least 24 months; for contracts shorter than 24 months, the contract length plus three months.
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days (registration) or 90 days to 9 months within any 12 months (permit).
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: One year, extendable once by one more year.

Family

Residence

  • Golden visa and residence by investment Maximum stay: Long-stay residence: up to one year at a time, renewable while the investment is maintained. Permanent residence: indefinite.
  • Retirement visa Maximum stay: Up to one year at a time, renewable.
  • Permanent residence Maximum stay: Indefinite. The EU long-term residence card is valid for 5 years and renewed on application.

Protection

Bulgaria visa guide