Bulgaria visa for Iranian citizens

Bulgaria’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Processing time, as Bulgaria states it: 15 calendar days as a rule; up to 45 days if more checks or documents are needed. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Bulgaria has 1 mission in Iran, with its embassy in Tehran.

In 2025, Bulgaria’s embassy and consulates in Iran (Tehran) received 1,068 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 768. 18.7% of applications were refused. In 2024 it had been 26.2%: the rate fell by 7.5 points, a clear improvement for applicants. Applications fell by 37% compared with 2024 (1,698).

For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 29.1% of the applications lodged in Iran that year, from 16.6% at the consulates of Romania to 46.2% at those of Austria. Bulgaria’s consulates worldwide refused 12.5%. Bulgaria was the 14th most applied-for Schengen state in Iran.

You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. Bulgaria only began issuing Schengen visas on 31 March 2024, so its 2024 figures cover part of the year. The figures cover applications lodged in Iran, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.

Iranian citizens planning a trip to Bulgaria can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the US State Department rates Bulgaria at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 8 October 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Bulgaria (updated 11 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Bulgaria (updated 13 October 2026).

How long Iranian citizens can stay in Bulgaria

How long Iranian citizens may stay in Bulgaria is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.

How Iranian citizens apply

In Iran, applications go to the Bulgarian embassy in Tehran, or to a visa centre acting for Bulgaria; fees, documents and processing times are published by Bulgaria.

Bulgaria and the Schengen area

A Schengen visa issued by Bulgaria lets Iranian citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Bulgaria when it is the main destination of the trip.

Bulgaria’s neighbours for Iranian citizens

Turkey admits Iranian citizens visa-free. North Macedonia, Greece, Romania and Serbia require Iranian citizens to obtain a visa in advance.

Bulgarian citizens travelling to Iran

Bulgarian citizens receive their visa for Iran at the border; it covers up to 30 days.