Bulgaria tourist visa (Schengen type C)

Nationals of countries on the EU visa list need a Schengen visa to visit Bulgaria for tourism. Since Bulgaria joined Schengen fully in January 2025, the rules are the same as for other Schengen states: one visa covers travel to all of them, and days spent anywhere in the area count towards the 90-day limit.

If Bulgaria is the only destination or the one where you will spend most nights, apply to Bulgaria. If you will spend equal time in several Schengen states, apply to the state you enter first.

The consulate looks at the purpose of the trip, your accommodation, your means of subsistence and the likelihood that you will leave before the visa expires. Hotel bookings or a host’s invitation, a return ticket reservation and recent bank statements are the usual evidence. Employment letters, student certificates, property deeds and earlier Schengen visas used correctly help show ties to your home country.

Medical insurance is required for the whole trip and must cover emergency treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation. Consulates may ask for additional documents or call you for an interview.

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs collects EUR 90 for each short-stay visa application unless a law, treaty or EU act provides otherwise, and the charge is kept if the visa is refused. If a visa service centre collects applications for the mission, it may add its own service fee.

Apply no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before the trip; an appointment may be needed. The normal decision period is 15 days and can be extended to 45 days when the file needs closer examination.

Article 27 of the Foreigners Act allows the validity or length of stay of a Schengen visa to be extended up to the 90-in-180 limit only when you prove extraordinary circumstances, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons. A tourist visa cannot be turned into a long-stay residence permit; for a longer stay you need a D visa from a Bulgarian mission.

A refusal is given on the standard EU form with the reasons and information on how to appeal. Border guards can also refuse entry to a visa holder who does not meet the entry conditions; under Article 16 of the Foreigners Act such refusals can be challenged under the Administrative Procedure Code.