Greece Visa RequirementsFor Bulgaria passport holders
Bulgarian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Greece under EU free movement rules. Greece is the most popular international destination for Bulgarian tourists.
Great news! Bulgaria passport holders can enter Greece without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa required. A Bulgarian passport or national ID card is sufficient. The land border crossings at Kulata-Promachonas and Zlatograd-Exohi are the most popular. For driving, note that the E79 and E79/A3 motorway are the main routes from Sofia to Thessaloniki and Athens. Greece has toll roads.
Greece is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid Bulgarian Passport or National ID Card
Either is sufficient for entry to Greece as an EU citizen. ID cards are recommended for land border crossings.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Recommended
Covers emergency state healthcare in Greece as an EU country.
Vehicle Green Card Insurance Recommended
Required if traveling to Greece by personal vehicle.
Vehicle Registration and Driver's License Recommended
Required for road travel; Bulgarian licenses are valid throughout the EU.
Current Travel Situation
Bulgaria to Greece: What You Need to Know
Bulgaria and Greece share a land border and are both EU member states. Greece is consistently the top international destination for Bulgarian tourists. Bulgarian citizens need only a passport or national ID card to enter Greece. Greece is a Schengen member and uses the Euro. Bulgaria completed its full Schengen accession with land borders joining in January 2025. The shared border means road trips are very popular and practical.
How to Get There
By car from Sofia to Thessaloniki is approximately 4 hours (340 km). Sofia to Athens is about 8 hours. Overnight buses and direct flights are very popular for the Athens and island routes. Ferry connections from Thessaloniki and Kavala serve Greek islands.
Money & Banking
Greece uses the Euro (EUR). Bulgaria uses the Lev (BGN), pegged to the Euro at 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR. EUR can be obtained at Bulgarian banks before travel. Cards are widely accepted at tourist areas, though smaller tavernas and shops may prefer cash.
Practical Tips
Direct flights from Sofia to Athens (ATH), Thessaloniki (SKG), Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO), and other Greek airports operate throughout the year. By road, Thessaloniki is about 4 hours from Sofia. Athens is about 8 hours by road. Regular bus services (including overnight buses) connect Sofia to Thessaloniki and Athens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa for Greece?
No. Bulgaria and Greece are both EU members. Bulgarians can enter Greece visa-free with a passport or national ID card.
Can I drive from Bulgaria to Greece?
Yes. The land border at Kulata-Promachonas is the most popular crossing. Sofia to Thessaloniki is about 4 hours, and to Athens about 8 hours.
Are there direct flights from Bulgaria to Greece?
Yes. Many direct flights operate from Sofia, Varna, and Plovdiv to Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, and other Greek airports throughout the year.
What currency does Greece use?
Greece uses the Euro (EUR). Exchange BGN to EUR at Bulgarian banks before travel, or use international payment cards in Greece.
Is Greece the most popular destination for Bulgarians?
Yes. Greece is consistently the top foreign holiday destination for Bulgarian tourists due to its proximity, beaches, culture, and affordable travel options.
Is Greece in the Schengen zone?
Yes. Greece is a Schengen member. Bulgaria completed its full Schengen accession with land borders joining in January 2025.
Can I use the European Health Insurance Card in Greece?
Yes. Your Bulgarian EHIC covers emergency state healthcare in Greece. Obtain it free from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Bulgaria before traveling.