Bulgaria Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK passport holders can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area in full for air and sea travel in March 2024, and full land border integration is also now in effect.
Great news! United Kingdom passport holders can enter Bulgaria without a visa for tourism or business purposes. You can stay up to 90 days.
No visa is required. When ETIAS launches, register online before your trip to Bulgaria or any other Schengen destination. Track your total days across all Schengen countries carefully if you are on an extended European trip.
Bulgaria 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 โ
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Bulgaria: What You Need to Know
Bulgaria completed its full Schengen Area accession in 2024, meaning that travel between Bulgaria and other Schengen countries no longer involves passport checks at internal borders. For British nationals, this means days spent in Bulgaria count toward the overall Schengen 90/180-day allowance. ETIAS pre-registration will be required when the system launches.
Practical Tips
Bulgaria offers excellent value for money compared to Western Europe. Sofia has a thriving arts and food scene; Plovdiv (European Capital of Culture 2019) is a beautiful old town. The Black Sea coast (Sunny Beach, Varna, Nesebar) is a popular summer destination for UK package holidays. The Bulgarian lev (BGN) is pegged to the euro; the country plans to adopt the euro in future. Skiing in Bansko is popular and affordable. Bulgaria is one of the EU's fastest-developing tourist destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK passport holders need a visa for Bulgaria?
No. UK passport holders can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Since Bulgaria completed its full Schengen Area accession in 2024, stays in Bulgaria now count toward the collective Schengen 90/180-day allowance.
Did Bulgaria joining Schengen change anything for UK visitors?
Yes. Before Bulgaria's full Schengen accession in 2024, days in Bulgaria were counted separately from Schengen days. Now that Bulgaria is fully in Schengen, your days there count toward the 90/180-day Schengen limit. This means UK travellers on extended European trips need to track Bulgaria days alongside other Schengen countries.
Is Bulgaria good value for UK tourists?
Yes. Bulgaria offers excellent value compared to Western Europe. Eating out, accommodation, local transport, and ski passes are significantly cheaper than in Western European destinations. The Black Sea coast, Bansko ski resort, Sofia, and Plovdiv are all popular with budget-conscious UK travellers.
Will ETIAS affect travel to Bulgaria?
Yes. When ETIAS launches (expected 2025), UK passport holders will need to register online and pay a small fee before visiting Bulgaria as part of any Schengen trip. The authorisation will be valid for multiple trips over three years.