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Bulgaria has officially reopened its borders in June allowing tourists from select countries to come in for a holiday.

On July 16, 2020 Bulgaria made the decision to add more countries to the ‘approved' list, now allowing select third-party countries to also enter without testing or quarantines. 

bulgaria open to tourists

As of July 16 2020, the Minister of Tourism in Bulgaria announced that tourists from all EU/Schengen nations (plus select third-party nations), with the exception of Sweden and Portugal, can visit without being placed under a 14-day quarantine.

Updated: On September 1st, the list was updated to include 50 nations that can now enter Bulgaria with no 14-day quarantine and no PCR Test. They are as follows:

  1. The Republic of Austria
  2. The Kingdom of Netherlands;
  3. The Federal Republic of Germany;
  4. The Republic of Poland;       
  5. Hellenic Republic;      
  6. The Kingdom of Denmark;
  7. Romania;
  8. The Republic of Estonia;
  9. The Slovak Republic
  10. The Republic of Slovenia;    
  11. Hungary;       
  12. The Republic of Finland;   
  13. The Republic of Cyprus;
  14. The French Republic;     
  15. The Republic of Latvia;
  16. The Republic of Croatia;    
  17. The Republic of Lithuania;
  18. The Czech Republic;
  19. The Portuguese Republic;
  20. Grand Duchy of Luxemburg;
  21. Iceland;
  22. The Kingdom of Norway;
  23. Switzerland;
  24. The Principality of Liechtenstein;
  25. The Republic of San Marino;
  26. The Principality of Andorra;
  27. The Principality of Monaco;
  28. The Vatican City State;
  29. The Republic of Malta
  30. Italian Republic
  31. The Kingdom of Spain
  32. The Republic of Ireland;
  33. The Kingdom of Belgium;
  34. Kingdom of Sweden;
  35. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
  36. Australian Union;
  37. Canada;
  38. Georgia;
  39. Japan;
  40. New Zealand;
  41. Republic of Rwanda;
  42. Republic of Korea;
  43. Kingdom of Thailand;
  44. Republic of Tunisia;
  45. Eastern Republic of Uruguay;
  46. United Arab Emirates;
  47. Ukraine;
  48. Republic of Belarus
  49. Republic of Serbia
  50. Republic of Turkey
bulgaria reopens border to tourists

Residents of those above countries can enter Bulgaria for the purposes of tourism without a 14-day quarantine period, as long as they are coming from a country on that list and not via another ‘non-approved’ country. They also do not require to bring a PCR test.

Bulgaria says this list will be continuously reviewed and adjusted if necessary.

bulgaria reopens beaches

Third-Party Country Updates Sept 1:

Citizens of 8 nations may enter if they have had a negative PCR test within the 72 hours prior to arrival.

The nations are as follows:

  1. The Republic of Northern Macedonia;
  2. The Republic of Albania;
  3. Kosovo;
  4. Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  5. Montenegro;
  6. The Republic of Moldova;
  7. Israel;
  8. Emirate of Kuwait.
bulgaria open tourists

All tourists who are granted quarantine-free entry into Bulgaria will be required to declare to the border health control authorities that they will comply with all anti-epidemic measures, and that they are aware of the risks of Covid-19.

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, scarf, or bandana 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
bulgaria tourism

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 centres
bulgaria open for tourists from EU

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.

bulgaria reopens for tourism june

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.

bulgaria beach tourism

Sources: Bulgaria Tourism Board / Visit Sofia.bg / Minister of Tourism /

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.

Read More: 
See the complete list of countries worldwide reopen for tourism and everything you need to know before you go.

For the latest re-opening Travel News and discussions, join our: Facebook Community

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30 Responses

  3. Muhammad RAMZAN Reply

    what about EEA FAMILY MEMBER from pakistan ???

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hello – You will have to contact local authorities in Bulgaria to ask, as we do not know the answer to this question

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hi! Great question, but I really don’t know! 😉
      Canada is permitted, but Serbia is not without a 72 hour PCR test. Adding in the land border crossing on bike and I am stumped!
      You will have to ask local authorities

  6. Martina Ilieva Reply

    Hello! I have a question,
    Can Macedonians enter in Bulgaria and if so, how the process goes?
    Thank you

  8. Nasir Uddin Reply

    Hello kashlee
    I m in Croatia for the last 21 days . I m an American citizen and I was wondering if there is any possible way I could enter Bulgaria since I m already in Croatia. I really need to go to Bulgaria. Your information and any ideas would be highly appreciated.

    Thank you
    Nasir

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hello Nasir – with the info I have, Bulgaria is not accepting residents of the USA and is only accepting residents of approved countries.

    • Nakul K

      Hi Nasir,

      Did you make it? Just wondering as I am in the same position

  9. Michal Reply

    I’m wondering if its allowed to enter from Thailand (which is on the list) but for Filipino national (not on the list)… Anyone knows?

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      We are not sure if Bulgaria is basing entry on ‘residency + location’ or just ‘location’.
      You will have to get ahold of the consulate to find out for sure

    • Christian

      From how I understand it, the list of approved nations are based on residency, not nationality, is that right? So, if as a US citizen I have a residency in Turkey, I could actually travel to Bulgaria without any entry requirement, is that right?
      And here I have another questionable scenario. How about if I am a German citizen with residency in the US? Could I travel to Turkey, and go from there to Bulgaria without entry requirement just because I am presenting my German passport? Usually border agents don’t ask for residency cards, only passports.

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      Hello Christian.
      Yes, entry requirements are based on residency + location. If you are a resident of Turkey, coming from an approved nation, you should be good to go.

      As for the 2nd question, it seems like it would make sense to me, but of course I cannot predict what might happen at customs

  10. Sarah Reply

    Can an American enter if they’ve been in Australia for the last 6 months?

  11. Sam Reply

    Hi,
    I’m an Indian, but I hold a residence permit for Bulgaria. Do I have to undergo 14 day quarantine even if I bring negative PCR test?

    • Kashlee Kucheran

      No one knows this information, sorry. Only the governments will release it when they make updates, but they won’t tell anyone in advance

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