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Bulgaria has officially reopened its borders once again in May 2021, allowing tourists from 80+ countries to come visit for a holiday.
Below you will find all of the Covid-19 Entry Requirements for Bulgaria, including testing rules, exemptions for vaccinations, which countires are allowed, and more.
Countries that can currently visit Bulgaria:
(accurate as of May 5, 2021)
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Burkina Faso
- Canada
- Central Africa
- Chad
- China
- Congo
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guiea-Bissau
- Guinea
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liberia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Mali
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- UAE
- UK
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- USA
- Vatican
Tourists from the above countries can now enter Bulgaria for the purposes of non-essential leisure travel.
Testing Rules For Bulgaria
Much like neighbors Greece and Croatia, Bulgaria is giving visitors 3 choices on how to enter: A negative covid-19 test, proof of recovery, or proof of vaccination.
Negative Covid Test: PCR or Antigen accepted. The passenger will need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, or a negative Antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival
or
Proof of Recovery: The passenger can show a positive PCR or Antigen test, taken 15-180 days before entry to prove a recent recovery from the virus.
or
Proof of Vaccination: 14 days must have passed from the final shot. Passengers can be fully vaccinated with: J&J, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik, and Coviesheild.
Quarantine Rules for Bulgaria
If the passenger fulfills one of the 3 options above, there are no quarantine periods when entering Bulgaria.
If a passenger is showing symptoms or tests positive, they could be subject to a 10-day quarantine.
What Are The Rules For Visiting Bulgaria?
If you are one of the approved tourists to visit Bulgaria this summer, here are the current health and safety protocols in place:
- A face mask is required in all enclosed public spaces
- Social distancing of at least 1.5 metres in place
- Masks must be worn on public transit at all times
- Children under 6 do not have to wear masks
What’s Open in Bulgaria?
- Many hotels and inns
- Museums, galleries, and libraries (see list)
- Restaurants and cafes
- Shopping malls, markets, and departments stores
- Parks and gardens
- Gyms, spas, and wellness centers
Have Flights Resumed to Bulgaria?
Yes. Throughout June many airlines have resumed their flights into Bulgaria and are adding more as demand increases. You can fly from many European cities into Sofia, Burgas, and Varna directly.
Is Bulgaria a Popular Tourist Destination?
Yes. Almost 12% of Bulgaria’s GDP comes from the tourism sector and Bulgaria had almost 12 million foreign visitors in 2017.
Bulgaria has been rising in popularity due to its affordable prices, beautiful sunny beaches, incredible landscapes and amount of interesting historic sites.
Sources: Bulgaria Tourism Board / Visit Sofia.bg / Minister of Tourism /
Read More:
See the complete list of countries worldwide reopen for tourism and everything you need to know before you go.
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Disclaimer: Bulgaria’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry before traveling.
Originally posted June 13, 2020 with updates
No name
Monday 24th of May 2021
Is that possible to enter Bulgaria from Albania with an Israeli passport?
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 25th of May 2021
Considering that both Albania and Israel are permitted to enter Bulgaria there should be no issue
Bulgarian
Monday 17th of May 2021
This is the official government order (in Bulgarian but can be translated). In effect till May 31, 2021. (link). Rules are very flexible.
Ahmed
Friday 14th of May 2021
Has Bulgaria opened to US citizens? The US Embassy in Bulgaria's site mentions it has. Planning to move from Serbia to Bulgaria next week hopefully. Thanks for the great site!
Ahmed
Sunday 16th of May 2021
@Kashlee Kucheran, thanks! I noticed that it wasn't 100% clear on the US embassy site, but this official bulgarian site seems pretty clear (link) - there's 87 countries that can enter Bulgaria with an antigen, including the US citizens. I'll be headed there next week :) Thanks again for the great updates 🙏
Kashlee Kucheran
Friday 14th of May 2021
The US embassy site says US can travel 'IF' they fit into a list of exceptions, like: Residents, foreign workers, students, athletes, etc. You still need a valid reason to enter, so it would be best to check with border police.
Andrew
Sunday 7th of March 2021
So can you go from Turkey to Bulgaria as an American without a turkish residence permit and be allowed to enter Bulgaria or is this unknown at the moment?
Precha
Thursday 22nd of April 2021
@Kashlee Kucheran, My husband is a USA citizen but has a residency permit in Turkey. Will he be permitted to enter?
Andrew
Sunday 14th of March 2021
@Kashlee Kucheran, I dug deeper into their order and I believe it says that travelers from 3rd countries are eligble with PCR test....I google translated their website (https://coronavirus.bg/bg/675) "6 . All persons who are allowed to enter the country under item 2 and who arrive with a starting point of departure from all third countries other than those referred to in items 5 and 8 are admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria upon submission of a document showing a negative result of conducted up to 72 hours before entry into the country polymerase chain reaction test for the detection of COVID-19, as of the date of the study entered in the document."
Kashlee Kucheran
Sunday 7th of March 2021
They state it as 'nationals of....Turkey" so I am not sure if being in Turkey for 14 days prior to entering Bulgaria will work or not for a USA citizen/resident. You will have to ask border police to be sure
phillip
Monday 1st of March 2021
I have an Australian passport and Portuguese residency - and am planning to come to Bulgaria via motorhome. Does that fulfill criteria for entry?
Kashlee Kucheran
Monday 1st of March 2021
With the info we have: Passengers with a residence permit issued by Portugal are permitted to enter. You will need a 72-hour pCR test as well