How To Apply for Bulgaria Schengen Visa in the UK

Bulgaria is a fascinating country with a rich history and diverse landscapes, making it an increasingly popular tourist destination.

It is located in Southeast Europe, in the eastern region of the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.

As of January 1, 2025, Bulgaria has officially joined the Schengen Area. This means that travellers from outside the Schengen Zone may now need a Bulgarian Schengen visa, depending on their nationality, the purpose of their visit, and the length of their stay.

With its Schengen accession, border controls with other Schengen countries have been removed, allowing for hassle-free travel. And, along with the accession, the country gained the right to start granting Schengen visas.

Whether you’re wandering through the cobbled streets of Sofia, skiing in Bansko, or unwinding in the historic town of Nessebar, Bulgaria’s new status makes it an even more attractive and accessible destination for European travellers.

Who Needs A Visa To Bulgaria

To enter Bulgaria, travellers need a Schengen visa if their home country is not part of the EU or has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the EU. Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Schengen area countries can travel to Bulgaria without a visa. 

The countries whose citizens require a Schengen visa to visit Bulgaria:

Keep in mind that this list may change due to updated regulations or specific bilateral agreements between countries and Schengen member states. To avoid any surprises, it's always best to check with your country's consulate or embassy—as well as the embassy of your destination Schengen country—for the most up-to-date travel requirements before making your plans.

Changes for British Citizens Travelling to Bulgaria After Brexit

Since January 1, 2021, the rules for British citizens traveling to Bulgaria have changed:

• Short Visits (Up to 90 Days): British citizens can visit Bulgaria without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Their passport must be valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure.
  
• British Travel Document Holders:
  
  • Those with refugee, humanitarian protection, or stateless person travel documents now require a short-term visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • For details on short-term visas (e.g., private visits, holidays), applicants should contact the Consular Office via email.
• EU/EEA Family Member Residence Permits: British residence permits issued to EU/EEA family members no longer allow visa-free travel to EU countries, including Bulgaria.
  
• Long-Term Stays (Over 90 Days):
  
  • British citizens planning to stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days must apply for a long-term visa.
  • This applies even if they are family members of Bulgarian citizens.
  • Required passport validity: at least 18 months from the visa application date.
  • For details, applicants should contact the Consular Office, specifying the purpose of their stay (e.g., work, study, business).
• British Citizens Already Residing in Bulgaria Before Brexit:
  
  • British citizens and their family members who became residents in Bulgaria before December 31, 2020 can continue to stay under the Withdrawal Agreement if they have a valid Bulgarian residence card.
  • Family members joining after this date must register with Bulgarian Migration Authorities.
  • If a short-term visa is required, proof of relationship (apostilled marriage/birth certificate) and a copy of the residence card must be submitted with the visa application.

Determine the Type of Schengen Visa You Need

Applying for a Schengen visa requires careful attention to detail as mistakes on visa category can lead to visa rejections/denials.

Bulgaria issues three main types of visas, each serving a specific purpose:

1. Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

• Purpose: Allows travelers to pass through the international transit zone of a Bulgarian airport while en route to another destination.
• Stay Duration: Limited to the transit period; the traveller cannot leave the airport.
• Issued For: Single, double, or multiple entries within a validity period of up to 3 months.

2. Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C) – For Transit or Planned Stay

• Purpose: Issued for short-term visits, including tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or medical treatment.
• Stay Duration: Maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period from the first entry.
• Transit Visa: Allows up to three transit passages, each lasting 2 days, within a 12-month validity period.
• Multiple-Entry Visa: Available for business travelers, family members of Bulgarian or EU citizens, and transport professionals, with validity up to 5 years.

3. Long-Stay Visa (Type D)

• Purpose: Allows foreigners to stay in Bulgaria for an extended period for work, study, family reunification, or investment purposes.
• Stay Duration:
  • Up to 6 months (180 days) for general long-term stays.
  • Up to 12 months (360 days) for students, researchers, and foreign employees on assignment.
• Key Requirement: The applicant must prove they have housing, health insurance, and sufficient financial means to sustain themselves without relying on social assistance.

Required Supporting Documents For Bulgaria Schengen Visa

The following is a general list of required documents, but additional information may be requested by the Bulgarian Mission if necessary.

All documents must be recently issued within the last one month. Original documents must be presented, but applicants only need to submit photocopies unless otherwise specified.

1. Visa Application Form & Photograph
2. Valid Passport
   
   • Must be valid at least three months beyond the last planned departure from Bulgaria.
   • Must have at least two blank pages.
   • Issued within the last 10 years
3. UK Residence Permit
   
   • Endorsed in the passport, issued as a biometric card, or provided as a digital proof of immigration status (UK Home Office share code).
   • Must be valid for at least one month beyond return from Bulgaria.
   • C-type visitor visas are not accepted.
4. Proof of Employment or Student Status
   
   • For employees:
     • Recent official letter from the employer on company letterhead (must include name, position, date of issue, address, phone number, and company registration number).
     • Payslips for the last three months.
   • For self-employed individuals:
     • Letter from an accountant, banker, or solicitor confirming business ownership in the UK.
     • Letter from UK tax authorities.
   • For students:
     • Official letter from the school, college, or university confirming enrollment, study details, weekly class hours, and attendance record.
5. Proof of Sufficient Funds
   
   • Bank statements for the last three months.
   • Applicants must show at least €50 per day of stay (or its equivalent in another currency), with a minimum of €500.
6. Travel Medical Insurance
   
   • Must be valid in Bulgaria and all EU member states.
   • Coverage of at least €30,000 for emergency medical care, hospital treatment, and repatriation.
   • Must cover the full period of the stay.
7. Proof of Travel & Transportation
   
   • Confirmed and paid travel tickets (entry and exit tickets for air, rail, or sea travel).
   • If traveling by car:
     • Driver’s license
     • Car registration & insurance
     • Confirmed ferry/Eurotunnel tickets (showing the car registration number).
     • If the applicant is not the driver, a signed letter from the driver confirming joint travel, including proof of the driver’s passport and driving license.
8. Proof of Accommodation
   
   • Confirmed hotel booking, Airbnb, or other accommodation reservations (in the applicant’s name).
   • Property ownership documents or rental agreements (if staying in private accommodation).

Additional Requirements for Minors (Under 18)

• Declaration of Consent signed by both parents.
• Original & copy of both parents' passports.
• If one parent is absent: A power of attorney or court order proving custody must be provided.
• Original & copy of the child's birth certificate, along with a certified translation if necessary.

Important Notes for Entry into Bulgaria

• Foreign visitors must declare in writing their purpose of stay and address upon entry by filling out a registration form.
• EU/EEA citizens are exempt from this requirement.
• All foreign visitors must register their stay with local police within 48 hours:
  • If staying in a hotel, the hotel will handle registration.
  • If staying in private accommodation, the host must complete the registration at the local police station.

Where To Submit Your Schengen Visa Application in the UK

UK residents who need a Schengen Visa to Bulgaria have to submit their application via VFS Global in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.

Applicants including children/infants (below age 12), have to submit his/her visa application in person and by appointment only which needs to be booked online.

Remember that a visa will only be issued to applicants whose passport or travel document is valid for at least three months beyond the end of their intended stay in Bulgaria and contains at least two blank pages.

When booking an appointment online, applicants must select the correct visa category; otherwise, they risk being denied at the visa center.

Types of Bulgarian Short-Stay Schengen Visas (Type C)

1. Tourist Visa – For those traveling to Bulgaria purely for tourism (e.g., sightseeing, leisure, or recreation) and covering their own accommodation (hotel, hostel, B&B, camping, etc.).

2. Business Visa – For applicants who:

• Have a confirmed invitation letter from a Bulgarian business/company.
• Are attending a conference, congress, fair, seminar, or workshop as part of their job.

✅ Employees attending such events must provide an employer letter confirming the purpose of their visit.
❌ If the required documentation is not provided, the applicant must apply for a Tourist Visa instead.

3. Private (Family/Friend) Visit Visa

For those visiting and staying with family or friends in Bulgaria. Applicants must apply under the Visitor Family/Friend visa category.

4. Other Short-Stay Visas

For applicants traveling for purposes other than tourism, business, or private visits, such as:

• Medical treatment
• Sports, cultural, or artistic events
• Student & scientific exchange programs

5. Airport Transit Visa

🔹 Required for nationals of:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, DR Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.

• Allows travelers to stay in the international transit zone of the airport while changing flights.
• Holders cannot leave the airport’s transit area.

6. Transit Visa (Non-Airport) – For travellers passing through Bulgaria by road, rail, or sea en route to another destination.

Important: This visa does not apply to airport transit passengers—those travellers must apply for an Airport Transit Visa instead.

7. Family Members of EU/EEA/Swiss Nationals (Excluding Bulgarian Citizens)

Certain family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals may apply under a simplified process with fewer required documents and no visa fee:

• Spouse or civil partner
• Dependent parent(s) (including those of the spouse/partner)
• Child(ren) under 21 or financially dependent children (including those of the spouse/partner)

This exemption does not apply to family members of Bulgarian citizens.

When to submit your Schengen Visa Application

Applicants can submit their visa applications up to three months before their departure date. The minimum processing time is 15 calendar days, but delays may occur as each application must be cleared by the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry in Sofia. 

Applying less than 15 days before travel does not guarantee timely processing.

To avoid delays, it is recommended to:

• Booking an appointment as soon as travel plans are confirmed.
• Ensuring all required documents meet the Bulgarian Mission’s standards.
• Allowing extra processing time, especially around public holidays or office closures.

For applications submitted at VFS satellite centers in Manchester, or Edinburgh, an additional two days should be factored in, as these applications are first sent to VFS London before being forwarded to the Bulgarian Mission.

Additionally, the Mission may request extra documents or schedule an interview, which could further extend processing times. Applicants should plan accordingly.

Schengen Visa Fee

The Schengen visa fee for Bulgaria varies based on the applicant's age and visa type. Additional service fees may apply when applying through visa centers like VFS Global. Since visa fees are non-refundable, applicants should ensure their documents are complete and accurate before submission.

Here are the current Schengen Visa fees.

Exempt from paying the visa fee: Foreign citizens under the age of 12 at the time of their visa application and family members of Bulgarian citizens and EU citizens.

Once your application has been processed, you will receive an email notification when a decision has been made and your passport has been returned to the Bulgaria Visa Application Centre. You can either collect your passport in person or opt for courier delivery for an additional fee.

For guidance on understanding your Schengen visa, refer to our blog post. Make sure to adhere to your visa conditions to avoid penalties or cancellation.

Have you applied for a Schengen Visa? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

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