The Republic of Bulgaria has applied the Common Visa Policy of the European Union since 1 January 2007 under conditions stipulated in the Act of Accession.
According to Art. 2 of Council Decision (EU) 2024/210, further elaborated in recital 8 of its preamble, short-stay visas for the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania nationals that were issued before 31 March 2024 will continue to be valid until the end of the term stated in those short-stay visas. But the people carrying these national short-stay visas will not have a provision for travelling to other Schengen Member States, but to the Republic of Bulgaria, Romania and even to Cyprus.
Those who have a national short-stay visa of the Republic of Bulgaria or Romania and want to come to the other Schengen member states will be required to obtain a Schengen visa.
long-stay visas and residence permits
The Republic of Bulgaria will continue to issue residence permits and long-stay visas that will remain in force after March 31, 2024. Throughout their validity, as it has been provided in Art. 2 of Council Decision (EU) 2024/210.
Article 39 of the Schengen Borders Code, as published in Annexe 22 to the Practical Guide on border guards that they remain valid after 31 March 2024.
will be able to enter visa-free short stay in the other Schengen countries (not exceeding 90 days within any 180 days) after 31 March 2024 and during the validity of such authorisations, checks at the internal land borders.
Kinds of visas
- Visa A (airport transit visa or ATV).
- Visa C (with a short stay on transit or with an intended stay).
- Visa D (long stay).
Entry requirements in the country
A foreigner can move to the Republic of Bulgaria provided that he/she possess a regular foreign travel document or any other document that is equivalent and a visa where it is necessary.
Visa issuing
A foreign national who wants to apply for a Bulgarian visa will possess a usual travel document and should have the following requirements:
- It loses its validity no later than 3 months following the planned date of leaving the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria
- In case of repeated entries, not later than the latest planned date of leaving the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
- Has at least 2 blank pages to have an entry visa.
- It was issued in the past 10 years.
Visa applications
Application forms for visas are filed not more than 3 months in advance of the date of the travel or via an authorised agent, except for humanitarian cases.
Applications for visas for minors or judicially disabled individuals will be made by their legal representatives or by those who are authorised by the authorities.
Conditions for filling in visa applications
All the fields on the application are to be completed in typed letters that are legible. Latin letters (in which they are spelt in the foreign travel passport) shall be used in filling out the names. The other information will be completed in either English or Bulgarian. The applicant will be required to sign the application personally. The relatives in the family of European Union citizens will answer only those sections of the application form for the visa that are related to the family ties.
Mandatory personal interview to obtain a type 2 visa
There will be no exemption to the necessity of a personal interview when applying for a long-stay visa.
A list of documents that should be submitted together with the visa:
- A duplicate of the first page of a foreign travel document.
- Photocopy of the preceding Bulgarian and Schengen visas or the UK and the US visas, in case of their presence
- Medical insurance covering all expenses in case of repatriation and in case of emergency medical care.
- Emergency hospital treatment is payable under an insurance policy issued by an insurance organisation authorised to operate in the EU member states and valid throughout the time the trip takes.
- Tickets (copy or original) or ticket booking confirmation, or money.
- Technical passport copy of the car for the trip.
- In the case of underage children travelling without their parents or guardians, the following documents are to be submitted:
- Birth certificate copy.
- A photocopy and original of a Power of Attorney notary signed by both parents/trustees or one parent trustee stating that he/she agrees that his child is allowed to travel alone without him/her.
You can also view these posts;
Finding a job in Bulgaria as an expat
Assessing social benefits and welfare as an immigrant in Bulgaria
Preparing for the immigration interview in Bulgaria
