Bulgaria

🇧🇬

Phone Code

+359

Capital

Sofia

Population

6.4 Million

Native Name

България

Region

Europe

Eastern Europe

Timezone

Eastern European Time

UTC+02:00

On This Page

Money & CurrencyVisa OverviewVisa TypesImportant NotesTravel GuideCitiesEmbassies abroadEmbassies in country

Bulgaria is a Balkan country and EU member known for Black Sea beaches, ancient Thracian heritage, Orthodox monasteries, and affordable ski resorts. Sofia, the capital, features Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, and Soviet architecture. Visitors are drawn to Rila Monastery (UNESCO site), Plovdiv's ancient Roman theater and Old Town, sunny Black Sea coast (Varna, Burgas, Golden Sands), Bansko ski resort, rose valley perfume production, and rich folk traditions. Bulgaria offers excellent value, diverse landscapes, and deep historical roots at budget-friendly prices.

Visa Requirements for Bulgaria

As an EU member state, Bulgaria offers visa-free entry to EU/EEA nationals and Swiss citizens who can enter with just a valid ID card or passport for unlimited stays. Citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries can enter visa-free for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Bulgaria also accepts valid Schengen visas (Type C, double or multiple entry) for stays up to 90 days within 180 days. Those requiring Bulgarian visas should apply through Bulgarian embassies or consulates, providing application forms, photographs, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and financial means. Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area for air and sea borders in March 2024 and for land borders in January 2025, becoming a full Schengen member.

Common Visa Types

Visa-Free Entry (EU/EEA/Swiss)

Unlimited stay; can enter with valid national ID card or passport; freedom of movement rights apply; can work without permit.

For EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens for tourism, work, residence, or any purpose without restrictions.

Visa-Free Entry (Third Countries)

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period; passport must be valid 3 months beyond stay; proof of accommodation and funds may be requested.

For tourism or business for citizens of US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other eligible nationalities.

Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C)

Up to 90 days within any 180-day period; valid for the entire Schengen Area; single, double, or multiple entry; apply through any Schengen state's embassy where most of the trip will take place; minimum €30,000 travel insurance required.

For visa-required nationalities for tourism, business, cultural events, or family visits — Bulgaria is now a full Schengen member, so a single Schengen visa covers Bulgaria and the rest of the area.

Bulgarian National Visa (Type D)

Beyond 90 days; requires purpose-specific documentation (employment contract, university enrolment); leads to a residence permit; apply at a Bulgarian embassy.

For long stays beyond 90 days — work, study, family reunification, or residence in Bulgaria.

Important Travel Information

Schengen status: Bulgaria became a full Schengen member in January 2025 (air and sea borders since March 2024). Schengen 90/180 rules apply; combined days across the Schengen Area count toward the same limit.

Passport validity: Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure. Ensure you have blank pages for entry stamps.

90/180 rule: Maximum 90 days in any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, including Bulgaria. Days in Bulgaria, France, or Italy all count toward the same total.

Travel Overview

Bulgaria rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Rila Monastery, the spiritual heart of Bulgarian Orthodox Christianity, sits in a fir-forested valley at 1,147 metres — its courtyard arcaded with some of the most vivid medieval fresco cycles in the Balkans. Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe (settled since 4000 BCE), with a Roman amphitheatre still used for summer concerts, an Ottoman-era old town of 19th-century merchants' houses on cobbled streets, and a contemporary arts scene that earned it the title of European Capital of Culture in 2019. The Black Sea coast stretches for 380 kilometres: Varna is an elegant port city with a superb archaeological museum housing the world's oldest worked gold (the Varna Gold Treasure, 4500 BCE); Nessebar is an ancient city on a Black Sea peninsula with over 40 medieval churches (UNESCO). The Rose Valley between Kazanlak and Karlovo produces around 85% of the world's rose oil — in May the fields bloom into an extraordinary fragrant sea. In winter, Bansko and Borovets ski resorts offer serious mountain skiing in the Pirin and Rila ranges at a fraction of what comparable Alpine resorts cost. Bulgaria remains one of the EU's most underrated travel destinations.

Discover Bulgaria

Rila Monastery, the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, was founded in the 10th century and sits at 1,147 metres in the Rila Mountains — the country's most visited heritage site and a UNESCO World Heritage landmark since 1983. Its National Revival-era courtyard church is covered with extraordinary frescoes depicting more than 1,200 biblical scenes, painted in vivid reds, greens, and golds. Beyond Rila, Bachkovo Monastery in the Rhodopes (Bulgaria's second largest) and the Boyana Church near Sofia (UNESCO, with 13th-century frescoes considered among the earliest examples of realist portraiture in European art) form a remarkable triangle of medieval monastic art accessible from Sofia.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Ancient Heritage & Archaeology

Thracian royal tombs (Valley of the Thracian Kings), the world's oldest worked gold at Varna Archaeological Museum, Roman Philippopolis in Plovdiv, and medieval fortress ruins across the country.

Monasteries & Orthodox Art

Rila Monastery (UNESCO, vivid fresco cycles), Bachkovo Monastery in the Rhodopes, Boyana Church (UNESCO, 13th-century realist frescoes) — Bulgaria's medieval monastic heritage is among the richest in the Balkans.

Black Sea Coast & Beaches

Summer beach life at Golden Sands and Sunny Beach, the elegant port city of Varna, the medieval peninsula town of Nessebar (UNESCO), and the wetlands of Burgas with flamingos at the Atanasovsko Lake.

Rose Valley & Natural Wonders

The 85% of world rose oil produced here, the May rose bloom and Kazanlak festival, the Rhodope gorges (Trigrad Gorge, Devil's Throat waterfall), and the Seven Rila Lakes high in the Rila Mountains.

Ski Resorts — Alpine Quality, Balkan Price

Bansko (Pirin UNESCO National Park, 75 km of pistes) and Borovets (Rila, Bulgaria's oldest resort) offer serious skiing from December to April at a fraction of Swiss or Austrian resort prices.

Money & Currency

Money & Currency
Лв.

Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Currency code: BGN

Practical Money Tips

Bulgaria Adopted the Euro on 1 January 2026 — No Exchange Needed for Eurozone Visitors

Bulgaria joined the eurozone on 1 January 2026, replacing the lev (BGN) at the historic conversion rate of 1.95583 BGN per euro. Visitors from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland and other eurozone countries no longer need to exchange currency. UK, US, Canadian, and Australian travellers exchange GBP/USD/AUD/CAD to EUR at banks (UniCredit Bulbank, DSK Bank, Postbank), licensed exchange offices, or via ATMs. Some establishments still display dual prices in EUR and BGN during the transition period; from 2027 onward only EUR will be shown.

ATM Availability

ATMs (банкомат) are widely available in cities and towns. Most accept Visa and Mastercard. Use ATMs attached to banks for security. Be cautious of independent ATMs that may charge high fees. Check with your bank about international withdrawal fees before traveling.

Credit Card Acceptance

Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and larger shops in cities and tourist areas. Smaller establishments, local markets, and rural areas prefer cash. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express less so. Always carry some cash.

Tipping Customs

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, round up the bill or leave 10% for good service. Tip hotel porters 2-5 BGN, taxi drivers by rounding up the fare, and tour guides 10-20 BGN per day. Service charges are sometimes included—check your bill.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions

Cities with missions

Where this country maintains embassies or consulates

Sofia
States & Regions in Bulgaria

Explore different regions and their cities.

Diplomatic Network

Bulgaria Embassies Worldwide

Hosted missions

Embassies in Bulgaria

These foreign embassies and consulates are based here. Choose a mission to open its in-depth guide and contact details.

Key origin countries

United Kingdom in Bulgaria
United States in Bulgaria

All countries by continent

Need help checking visa requirements or applying for your trip to Bulgaria?

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