05.01.2023

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is not required.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Useful contacts (in Bulgarian)

________________________________________________________________________________

06.06.2022

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is not required.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Useful contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is not required.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Useful contacts (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is not required.

______________________________________________________

12.05.2022

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country

COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is no longer required.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

National health measures

Most COVID-19 health restrictions have been lifted in Bulgaria.

Providing proof of full vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test result to access public places is no longer required.

Learn more:
Bulgaria's Ministry of Health

Use of facemasks

Wearing facemasks is no longer required.

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case must quarantine for 10 days from the day of the contact. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

04.03.2022

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Documents required depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification. Details in the sections below.

Children up to the age of 12 are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Travellers from green, orange and red countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria without further restrictions if their 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) contains one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid between 15 and 270 days after the last scheduled dose of the primary vaccination series, or after the booster dose. For the primary vaccination series, the combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer) is also accepted.
  
  
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).
  
  
• Negative result to a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
  Accepted tests: molecular (PCR) test, valid 72 hours, and rapid antigen tests, valid 48 hours.

Travellers from dark red countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria if they hold a valid EUDCC with proof of full vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 (see the conditions listed above) and, in addition, they provide a negative result to a molecular (PCR) test, performed within 72 hours before travelling. Exception: travellers who hold vaccination certificates with a booster dose are not required to provide the additional test result.

Children aged between 12 and 18 travelling from dark red countries can enter Bulgaria if their EUDCC contains a negative molecular (PCR) test result, valid 72 hours.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Travellers who hold certificates equivalent to the 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) that meet the same requirements listed above for the EUDCC can enter Bulgaria at the same conditions.

For travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) who do not provide the documents required, a 10-day quarantine is imposed. They can perform a molecular (PCR) test or rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

Only Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members can enter Bulgaria from red and dark red countries without the documents required, but they must quarantine for 10 days.

If these categories of travellers come from a red country without any document, or if they come from dark red countries and only hold one of the documents required, they can perform a molecular (PCR) test or rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Coronavirus.bg

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification.

Children up to the age of 12 are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

Travellers from green, orange and red countries must hold an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC), or equivalent documents, containing one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid between 15 and 270 days after the last scheduled dose of the primary vaccination series, or after the booster dose. For the primary vaccination series, the combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) is also accepted. The document must contain: the holder's names and date of birth, dates, trade name and batch number of the relevant doses of the vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
  
  
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test). The document must contain the holder's name, contact details of the medical establishment that carried out the exam, the date of the test, and the positive result.
  
  
• Negative result to a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
  Accepted tests: molecular (PCR) tests, valid 72 hours, and rapid antigen tests, valid 48 hours.

Travellers from dark red countries can enter Bulgaria if they hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents with proof of full vaccination or of recovery from COVID-19 (see the conditions listed above) and, in addition, they provide a negative result to a pre-departure molecular (PCR) test, performed within 72 hours before travelling.

Children aged between 12 and 18 travelling from dark red countries can enter Bulgaria if they hold a negative molecular (PCR) test, valid 72 hours.

Entering Bulgaria from red and dark countries without the documents required is not allowed. Exception: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members who do not hold all the necessary documents can enter the country. However, they must quarantine for 10 days.

The following categories of travellers can shorten the quarantine if they perform a negative molecular (PCR) test or rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19:

• Travellers from green and orange countries who do not hold the documents required
• Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members, including children aged between 12 and 18, if they travel from red countries and do not hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents, or if they travel from dark red countries and only hold one of the documents required.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Coronavirus.bg

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

______________________

You can find the latest information on air travel regulations for this country on the IATA website.

You can also find information about your passenger rights on our portal for citizens.

Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays

What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?

Bulgarian citizens who are abroad, or who are planning a trip, are advised to monitor the information, warnings and advice published on the official webpages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Ministry of Health.

Country-specific advice is available at www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo

May I transit this country?

Travellers can only transit Bulgaria without providing COVID-19 documents only if their immediate departure is guaranteed. These travellers must ensure that they comply with the travel restrictions imposed in the countries they are travelling to.

General measures

Bulgarian authorities have introduced a set of restrictions (in Bulgarian) valid until 31 March 2022.

The 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC), or an equivalent document, is required to all participants in the activities listed below. It must contain one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination. Until 31 March 2022, the document is also valid between days 15 and 30 after the administration of the first dose, for vaccines requiring two doses.
• Proof of recovery. Validity: between 11 and 180 days from the first positive test result. Until 31 March 2022, proof of recovery is valid for 365 days.
• Negative test result. Validity: 48 hours for rapid antigen tests, 72 hours for molecular (PCR) tests.

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Visits to museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances and other indoor stage performances.
• Assisting to sports competitions.
• Visits to fitness centres, sports hall and clubs, swimming pools, and SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres.
• Visits to gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.
• Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions. Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).
• Organized excursions and group visits to tourist sites.

Use of facemasks

The use of facemasks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Wearing a facemask is also mandatory in crowded open spaces, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Assisting to sports competitions.

Group classes for children in language, educational, training and personal development support centres and schools are only allowed if:

• a 1.5m distance is observed
• maximum 5 people in a room
• everyone wears a facemask
• hand hygiene, regular airing and disinfection are ensured.

These restrictions do not apply to special education support centres.

The following activities are suspended:

• Group activities in children centres and clubs.
• Team buildings and professional group activities.
• Collective sports indoors, with the exception of trainings and competitions for registered athletes at licensed sport federations. Sports competitions for registered athletes at licensed sports federations are allowed.

Private gatherings (baptisms, weddings etc.) are allowed with no more than 15 participants indoors, and 30 outdoors.

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of masks or similar means that cover the nose and the mouth is mandatory on public transport. All vehicles/aircraft performing collective forms of transport are disinfected with specifically prescribed detergents. Observance of a safety distance is also mandatory.

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case shall be subject to a 10-day quarantine from the last contact with the confirmed case. The quarantine can be done at home or in another place of residence and during this period the person shall be obliged not to leave this place. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).

Tourist accommodations

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Tourist accommodations can remain open only if all guests and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Catering establishments

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to catering establishments (restaurants, bars, etc.) are allowed only if all visitors and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery, or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

The following activities are allowed only if all participants above 18 years of age, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital Covid Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents:

• Visits to libraries, museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances, concerts and other indoor stage performances.
• Indoor team sports. Exception: trainings and competitions for registered athletes and licensed sports federations. Sports competition can only take place without audience.
• Fitness centres, sports halls and clubs, swimming pools.
• Gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.

Personal care services

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

Visits to medical establishments are suspended. Exceptions: patients in terminal stage, visits to specialized institutions for social services.

Ski facilities

Find out more:

Winter season measures (in English)

Winter season measures (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists

Group visits to tourist sites in Bulgaria are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents.

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place.

Find out more:

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in English)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in German)

Other measures

Various restrictions on the physical presence in schools, childcare facilities and educational or language centers for children apply.

Teleworking is requested wherever possible, and maximum 50% of staff are physically present. 

Further details on the latest measures are available in Bulgarian on Coronavirus.bg.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

Useful Info for tourists

Before starting your journey, please check visa requirements for your destination at: The Schengen visa Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737

___________________________________________________________________________________________

19.01.2022

EU Digital COVID Certificates

Information on 'EU Digital COVID Certificates' issued in Bulgaria

Important: in Bulgaria, the 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) is required to access some public spaces, such as bars and restaurants, museums, swimming pools, large events, and some means of public transport. Please, consult the Measures section for further details. Travellers are strongly advised to carry relevant certificates at all times.

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Documents required depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification. Details in the sections below.

Entry rules:

Only the following categories can enter Bulgaria from EU or Schengen Associated countries categorised as red:

• Bulgarian citizens and their family members, and long-term or continuous residents in Bulgaria
• Citizens of EU and Schengen Associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) citizens, of the United Kingdom, of North Macedonia, of Serbia, of Israel, of Turkey, and their family members
• Medical, social and humanitarian workers, state officials and diplomats, seasonal agricultural workers and workers in the field of tourism
• Foreign students holding a type 'D' long-term residence visa for study purposes
• Persons who have received approval from the Minister of Health or a Deputy Minister.

Travellers from orange and red countries may be randomly sobject to rapid antigen tests upon arrival.

Children up to the age of 12 are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

These rules are valid between 20 January and 31 March 2022.

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria without further restrictions if their 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) contains one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid 14 days after the last scheduled dose. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer) is also accepted;
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).
• Negative result to a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
  Acceoted tests: molecular (PCR) test, valid 72 hours, and rapid antigen tests, valid 48 hours.

Travellers from red countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria only if they belong to one of the categories listed in the section above, and if their EUDCC contains one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid 14 days after the last scheduled dose. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (BioNTech and Pfizer) is also accepted;
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).

In addition, travellers from red countries must hold a negative result to a molecular (PCR) test, performed within 72 hours before travelling.

Children aged between 12 and 18 travelling from red countries can enter Bulgaria if their EUDCC contains a negative molecular (PCR) test result, valid 72 hours.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Travellers who hold certificates equivalent to the 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) that meet the same requirements listed above for the EUDCC can enter Bulgaria at the same conditions.

For travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) who do not provide the documents required, a 10-day quarantine is imposed. They can perform a molecular (PCR) test or rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

Entering Bulgaria from red countries without the documents required is not allowed. Exception: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members who do not hold any of the necessary documents can enter the country, but must  quarantine for 10 days. If these categories of travellers, including children aged between 12 and 18, only hold one of the documents required, they can perform a molecular (PCR) test or a rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Coronavirus.bg

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification.

Children up to the age of 12 are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

Travellers from green and orange countries can enter Bulgaria only if they present an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC), or equivalent documents, containing one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid from 14 days after the last scheduled dose. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) is also accepted. The document must contain: the holder's names and date of birth, dates, trade name and batch number of the relevant doses of the vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test). The document must contain the holder's name, contact details of the medical establishment that carried out the exam, the date of the test, and the positive result.
• Negative result to a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
  Accepted tests: molecular (PCR) tests, valid 72 hours, and rapid antigen tests, valid 48 hours.

Note - only the following categories can enter Bulgaria from red countries:

• Bulgarian citizens and their family members, and long-term or continuous residents in Bulgaria
• Citizens of the EU and of Schengen Associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), of the United Kingdom, of North Macedonia, of Serbia, of Israel, of Turkey, and their family members travelling from these countries
• Medical, social and humanitarian workers, state officials and diplomats, seasonal agricultural workers and workers in the field of tourism
• Foreign students holding a type 'D' long-term residence visa for study purposes
• Persons who have received approval from the Minister of Health or a Deputy Minister.

Travellers who are allowed to enter Bulgaria from red countries must provide one of the following documents:

• Proof of full vaccination
• Proof of recovery

In addition, travellers from red countries must hold a negative result to a molecular (PCR) test performed within 72 hours before travelling.

Entering Bulgaria from red countries without the documents required is not allowed. Exception: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members who do not hold all the necessary documents can enter the country. However, they must quarantine for 10 days.

The following categories of travellers can shorten the quarantine if they perform a negative molecular (PCR) test or rapid antigen test 72 hours after entering Bulgaria. Quarantine ends once the negative test result is registered on the National Information System for Combating COVID-19:

• Travellers from green and orange countries who do not hold the documents required
• From red countries: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members, including children aged between 12 and 18, who only hold one of the documents required.

These rules are valid between 20 January and 31 March 2022.

Learn more:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Coronavirus.bg

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?

Bulgarian citizens who are abroad, or who are planning a trip, are advised to monitor the information, warnings and advice published on the official webpages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Ministry of Health.

Country-specific advice is available at www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo

May I transit this country?

Travellers can only transit Bulgaria without providing COVID-19 documents only if their immediate departure is guaranteed. These people must ensure that they comply with the travel restrictions imposed in the countries they are travelling to.

General measures

Bulgarian authorities have introduced a set of restrictions (in Bulgarian) valid until 31 March 2022.

The 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC), or an equivalent document, is required to all participants in the activities listed below. It must contain one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination. Until 31 March 2022, the document is also valid between days 15 and 30 after the administration of the first dose, for vaccines requiring two doses.
• Proof of recovery. Validity: between 15 and 365 days from the first positive test result.
• Negative test result. Validity: 48 hours for rapid antigen tests, 72 hours for molecular (PCR) tests.

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Visits to museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances and other indoor stage performances.
• Assisting to sports competitions.
• Visits to fitness centres, sports hall and clubs, swimming pools, and SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres.
• Visits to gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.
• Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions. Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).
• Organized excursions and group visits to tourist sites.

Use of facemasks

The use of facemasks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Wearing a facemask is also mandatory in crowded open spaces, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Assisting to sports competitions.

Group classes for children in language, educational, training and personal development support centres and schools are only allowed if:

• a 1.5m distance is observed
• maximum 5 people in a room
• everyone wears a facemask
• hand hygiene, regular airing and disinfection are ensured.

These restrictions do not apply to special education support centres.

The following activities are suspended:

• Group activities in children centres and clubs.
• Team buildings and professional group activities.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, fairs, etc.
• Collective sports indoors, with the exception of trainings and competitions for registered athletes at licensed sport federations. Sports competitions for registered athletes at licensed sports federations are allowed.

Private gatherings (baptisms, weddings etc.) are allowed with no more than 15 participants indoors, and 30 outdoors.

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of masks or similar means that cover the nose and the mouth is mandatory on public transport. All vehicles/aircraft performing collective forms of transport are disinfected with specifically prescribed detergents. Observance of a safety distance is also mandatory.

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case shall be subject to a 10-day quarantine from the last contact with the confirmed case. The quarantine can be done at home or in another place of residence and during this period the person shall be obliged not to leave this place. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).

Owners or managers of commercial/administrative activities or other sites that provide services to citizens, and whose activities are not suspended, are required to control the number of customers on the site, allowing the presence of 1 person/8m2.

When serving customers directly without the protection of a transparent partition, a distance of 1.5 metres and the use of a facemask/safety helmet is required.

Tourist accommodations

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Tourist accommodations can remain open only if all guests and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Catering establishments

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to catering establishments (restaurants, bars, etc.) are allowed only if all visitors and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery, or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

The following activities are allowed only if all participants above 18 years of age, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital Covid Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents:

• Visits to libraries, museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances, concerts and other indoor stage performances.
• Indoor team sports. Exception: trainings and competitions for registered athletes and licensed sports federations. Sports competition can only take place without audience.
• Fitness centres, sports halls and clubs, swimming pools.
• Gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.

Personal care services

OPEN WITH LIMITATIONS

Visits to SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

The following activities are suspended:

• Visits to medical establishments. Exceptions: patients in terminal stage, visits to specialized institutions for social services.
• Planned hospital admissions and surgeries. Exception: transplants of organs, tissues and cells; diagnostics and treatment of patients with oncological and oncohematological diseases, assisted reproduction activities and births (regardless of the method of delivery), abortions, rehabilitation activities, long-term treatment and psychiatric care.

Ski facilities

Find out more:

Winter season measures (in English)

Winter season measures (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists

Group visits to tourist sites in Bulgaria are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents.

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place.

Find out more:

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in English)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in German)

Other measures

Various restrictions on the physical presence in schools, childcare facilities and educational or language centers for children apply.

Teleworking is requested wherever possible, and maximum 50% of staff are physically present. 

Further details on the latest measures are available in Bulgarian on Coronavirus.bg.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

________________________________________________________________________________________

02.12.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification.

Note - only the following categories can enter Bulgaria from EU or Schengen Associated countries categorised as red:

• Bulgarian citizens and their family members, and long-term or continuous residents in Bulgaria
• EU and Schengen Associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) citizens and their family members
• Medical and humanitarian workers, state officials and diplomats, seasonal agricultural workers and workers in the field of tourism
• Foreign students holding a type 'D' long-term residence visa for study purposes
• Persons who have received approval from the Minister of Health or a Deputy Minister.

Please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for further details.

Children under 12 years of age and are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria without further restrictions if their 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) contains one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid from 14 days after the second dose, or from 14 days after the first dose if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson);
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).
• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both molecular (PCR) and Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for antigen tests.

In addition, travellers from orange countries may be subject to random rapid antigen tests upon arrival.

Travellers from red countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria only if they belong to one of the categories listed in the section above, and if their EUDCC contains one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid from 14 days after the second dose, or from 14 days after the first dose if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson);
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).
• A negative result to a molecular (PCR) test, performed within 72 hours before travelling.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria without further restrictions if they can provide one of the following documents:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid from 14 days after the last scheduled dose. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) is also accepted. The document must contain: the holder's names and date of birth, dates, trade name and batch number of the relevant doses of the vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test). The document must contain the holder's name, contact details of the medical establishment that carried out the exam, the date of the test, and the positive result.
• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both molecular (PCR) and rapid antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for antigen tests.

If travellers from green and orange countries cannot provide any of these documents, a 10-day quarantine is imposed. In this case, travellers can perform a molecular (PCR) or rapid antigen test no earlier than 72 hours after their arrival. If the test result is negative, the quarantine ends from the day following the registration of the result in the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

In addition, travellers from orange countries:

• They may be subject to random rapid antigen tests upon arrival.
• The quarantine obligation also applies to Bulgarian citizens and long-term residents.

Travellers from red countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria only if they belong to one of the categories listed in the section above, and if they hold one of the following documents, with the same requirements listed for green and orange countries:

• Proof of full vaccination
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19
• Negative result to a molecular (PCR) test, performed within 72 hours before travelling.

Entering Bulgaria from red countries without the documents required is not allowed. Exception: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members who do not all the necessary documents can enter the country, but must  quarantine for 10 days

Find out more:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Ministry of Health's Order 26 November 2021
Coronavirus.bg
Ministry of Health's Order of 1 September 2021
Practical information for tourists

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Travel alert: as of 28 November 2021, entering Bulgaria is forbidden for travellers arriving from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Only Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents in Bulgaria and their family members are exempt from this travel ban.

Entry requirements depend on the colour attributed to the country of departure, according to Bulgaria's own national classification.

Children under 12 years of age are not required to provide any COVID-19 related documents, regardless of their country of departure.

Travellers from green and orange countries (according to Bulgaria's national classification) can enter Bulgaria only if they present an 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) containint one of the following, or equivalent documents:

• Proof of full vaccination, valid from 14 days after the last scheduled dose. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) with one dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer-BioNTech) is also accepted. The document must contain: the holder's names and date of birth, dates, trade name and batch number of the relevant doses of the vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• Proof of recovery from COVID-19. Validity: between 11 and 180 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test). The document must contain the holder's name, contact details of the medical establishment that carried out the exam, the date of the test, and the positive result.
• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both molecular (PCR) and Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for antigen tests.

Note - only the following categories can enter Bulgaria from red countries:

• Bulgarian citizens and their family members, and long-term or continuous residents in Bulgaria
• EU and Schengen Associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) citizens, UK citizens, and citizens of the countries listed in this annex and their family members, when they are travelling from these categories of countries (EU, Schengen, UK, annex).
• Medical and humanitarian workers, state officials and diplomats, seasonal agricultural workers and workers in the field of tourism
• Foreign students holding a type 'D' long-term residence visa for study purposes
• Persons who have received approval from the Minister of Health or a Deputy Minister.

Please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website for further details.

Travellers who are allowed to enter Bulgaria from red countries must provide one of the following documents:

• Proof of full vaccination
• Proof of recovery
• Negative result to a pre-departure PCR test, performed within 72 hours before arrival.

Entering Bulgaria from red countries without the documents required is not allowed. Exception: Bulgarian citizens, permanent, long-term and continuous residents and their family members who do not hold all the necessary documents can enter the country, but must quarantine for 10 days.

Find out more:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - travel info
Ministry of Health's Order of 26 November 2021
Coronavirus.bg
Ministry of Health's Order of 1 September 2021
Practical information for tourists

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 phone: +359 2 948 24 04 and email: crisis@mfa.bg
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules if I go abroad from this country, and when I return from abroad?

Bulgarian citizens who are abroad, or who are planning a trip, are advised to monitor the information, warnings and advice published on the official webpages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Ministry of Health.

Country-specific advice is available at www.mfa.bg/bg/embassyinfo

May I transit this country?

Travellers can only transit Bulgaria without providing COVID-19 documents only if their immediate departure is guaranteed.

May I fly to this country?

You can find the latest information on air travel regulations for this country on the IATA website.

You can also find information about air passenger rights on our portal for citizens.

General measures

Bulgarian authorities have introduced a set of restrictions (in Bulgarian) valid until 31 March 2022.

The 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC), or an equivalent document, is required to all participants in the activities listed below. It must contain one of the following:

• Proof of full vaccination. Until 31 March 2022, the document is also valid between days 15 and 30 after the administration of the first dose, for vaccines requiring two doses.
• Proof of recovery. Validity: between 15 and 365 days from the first positive test result.
• Negative test result. Validity: 48 hours for rapid antigen tests, 72 hours for molecular (PCR) tests.

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Visits to museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances and other indoor stage performances.
• Assisting to sports competitions.
• Visits to fitness centres, sports hall and clubs, swimming pools, and SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres.
• Visits to gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.
• Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions. Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).
• Organized excursions and group visits to tourist sites.

Use of facemasks

The use of facemasks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Wearing a facemask is also mandatory in crowded open spaces, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following activities are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent documents:

• Congresses, conferences, seminars, trainings, competitions, exams etc.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, etc.
• Group visits (including for schools) to dance, art and music centres.
• Face-to-face group classes for adults in language, educational and training centres and schools.
• Assisting to sports competitions.

Group classes for children in language, educational, training and personal development support centres and schools are only allowed if:

• a 1.5m distance is observed
• maximum 5 people in a room
• everyone wears a facemask
• hand hygiene, regular airing and disinfection are ensured.

These restrictions do not apply to special education support centres.

The following activities are suspended:

• Group activities in children centres and clubs.
• Team buildings and professional group activities.
• Mass events, such as music and folklore festivals, concerts, fairs, etc.
• Collective sports indoors, with the exception of trainings and competitions for registered athletes at licensed sport federations. Sports competitions for registered athletes at licensed sports federations are allowed.

Private gatherings (baptisms, weddings etc.) are allowed with no more than 15 participants indoors, and 30 outdoors.

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of masks or similar means that cover the nose and the mouth is mandatory on public transport. All vehicles/aircraft performing collective forms of transport are disinfected with specifically prescribed detergents. Observance of a safety distance is also mandatory.

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case shall be subject to a 10-day quarantine from the last contact with the confirmed case. The quarantine can be done at home or in another place of residence and during this period the person shall be obliged not to leave this place. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops

Open with limitations

Visits to shopping malls and centres, shops with a net retail area of over 300m2, bazaars and indoor exhibitions are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

Exceptions: grocery stores, pharmacies, medical and vaccination establishments, drugstores, opticians, pet shops, banks, postal and courier service providers, insurers, payment service providers and telecommunications operators’ office (including those located inside a shopping mall).

Owners or managers of commercial/administrative activities or other sites that provide services to citizens, and whose activities are not suspended, are required to control the number of customers on the site, allowing the presence of 1 person/8m2.

When serving customers directly without the protection of a transparent partition, a distance of 1.5 metres and the use of a facemask/safety helmet is required.

Tourist accommodations

Open with limitations

Tourist accommodations can remain open only if all guests and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Catering establishments

Open with limitations

Visits to catering establishments (restaurants, bars, etc.) are allowed only if all visitors and personnel above 18 years of age hold a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate (EUDCC) or similar document for completed vaccination, recovery, or negative 48 hours rapid-antigenic test or 72-hours PCR test.

Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions

Open with limitations

The following activities are allowed only if all participants above 18 years of age, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital Covid Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents:

• Visits to libraries, museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres, circus performances, concerts and other indoor stage performances.
• Indoor team sports. Exception: trainings and competitions for registered athletes and licensed sports federations. Sports competition can only take place without audience.
• Fitness centres, sports halls and clubs, swimming pools.
• Gambling halls, casinos and certain catering and entertainment establishments.

Personal care services

Open with limitations

Visits to SPA, wellness, thalassotherapy and balneotherapy (medical SPA) centres are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid EUDCC or equivalent document.

The following activities are suspended:

• Visits to medical establishments. Exceptions: patients in terminal stage, visits to specialized institutions for social services.
• Planned hospital admissions and surgeries. Exception: transplants of organs, tissues and cells; diagnostics and treatment of patients with oncological and oncohematological diseases, assisted reproduction activities and births (regardless of the method of delivery), abortions, rehabilitation activities, long-term treatment and psychiatric care.

Ski facilities

Find out more:

Winter season measures (in English)

Winter season measures (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists

Group visits to tourist sites in Bulgaria are allowed only if all participants, including staff, hold a valid 'EU Digital COVID Certificate' (EUDCC) or equivalent documents.

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place.

Find out more:

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in English)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in German)

Other measures

Various restrictions on the physical presence in schools, childcare facilities and educational or language centers for children apply.

Teleworking is requested wherever possible, and maximum 50% of staff are physically present. 

Further details on the latest measures are available in Bulgarian on Coronavirus.bg.

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

_______________________________________________________________________________________

07.09.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Depending on the epidemiological situation, countries of origin are classified in green, orange and red.

As of 01 September 2021:

The "Green" countries list comprises Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, Norway, the Vatican City State, Czechia, Luxembourg and Romania.

The "Orange" countries list comprises all EU and EEA Member States that are not listed in the Green or the Red list. 

The "Red" countries list includes Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Provisional information subject to further revision and confirmation from National Authorities

In order to be valid to enter Bulgaria, the EUDCC should contain one of the following:

• Proof of vaccination, valid from 14 days after the second dose, or from 14 days after the first dose if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson);

• Proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid 180 days (at least 11 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).

• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both PCR and Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for RAT tests

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the testing or quarantine requirements.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Green" countries can enter Bulgaria. In the absence of a valid EUDCC, a 10-day quarantine applies. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Orange" countries can enter Bulgaria without being subject to quarantine, but they may be randomly tested upon arrival with a Rapid Antigen test. Bulgarian citizens and persons with permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria (including their family members), who do not present a valid EUDCC or a similar document, must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Holders of a valid EUDCC for vaccination or recovery, who are nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, other EU or EEA countries, or Switzerland, arriving from “Red” countries, can enter Bulgaria upon presentation of a negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival. The following exceptions are foreseen:

• Nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, who present only one of those two documents, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.
• Nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, who do not present either of those two documents, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine.
• Other EU, EEA or Swiss nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members), who do not present a valid EUDCC for vaccination or recovery, but only a negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine.
• 12-18 years old kids can enter Bulgaria upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Those, who do not present such document, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked for kids of Bulgarian nationality or for kids with permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Depending on the colour zone of the country of origin, travellers who enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, regardless of their nationality, shall be admitted upon presentation of one of the following documents:

• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19 is required. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the certificate must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test is required. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the document must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
• For travellers coming from "Green", "Orange" and "Red" countries, a document showing a negative result of a PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a negative result of a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country.

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirement to present a negative result of a PCR or antigenic test.

Find out more:
Practical information for tourists

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-733 of 27.08.2021 (in Bulgarian)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All persons arriving from non-EU and EEA countries, and not coming from "Red" countries, are considered to arrive from "Orange" countries and are admitted to the territory of the country only upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate, or of a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate, namely:

• a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered and name of the issuing competent authority;
• a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result;
• a document showing a negative result of a COVID-19 test (PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country, or a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country).

Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals from "Red" countries holding a valid certificate for vaccination or recovery can enter Bulgaria only in specific exceptional cases and upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test, done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

As of 01 September 2021, the "Red" countries list comprises:

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Seychelles, Namibia, Zambia, Oman, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Suriname, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Fiji Georgia, Israel, Eswatini, Iran, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, the United States of America, Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Find out more:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-733 of 27.08.2021 (in Bulgarian)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

Partially

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. 

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is requested for at least 50% of staff, whenever possible. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in crowded open public places, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following measures apply for gatherings: 

• Cultural and entertainment events (namely film screenings, theatre shows, stage events, concerts, exhibitions, dance classes, creative and musical arts, etc.) can be held using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues.
• The holding of indoor public events (e.g. conferences, seminars, competitions, etc.) is allowed provided that a maximum capacity of up to 30% of the total available space is used and with no more than 30 participants. 
• Training and educational courses (language, dance, music, etc.) can be held using up to 30% of the total capacity of the venues and with no more than 10 participants.
• Group children’s activities, such as kids’ clubs and courses, are suspended. 
• Teambuilding activities are suspended.
• Indoor group sports activities are suspended, except for registered professional athletes.
• Private gatherings (baptisms, weddings, etc.) are allowed with no more than 30 participants indoors and 60 participants outdoors.
• Professional sports competitions can be held without audience indoors and with up to 30% of the total capacity of the venues outdoors.

The restrictions in the capacity of venues and in the number of participants may not be applied if 100% of the staff and 100% of the participants have been vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 or have had a negative result from a PCR test taken 72 hours before the event or an antigenic test taken 48 hours before the event.

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of masks or similar means that cover the nose and the mouth is mandatory on public transport. All vehicles/aircraft performing collective forms of transport are disinfected with specifically prescribed detergents. Observance of a safety distance is also mandatory.

Places of worship

Open

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case shall be subject to a 10-day quarantine from the last contact with the confirmed case. The quarantine can be done at home or in another place of residence and during this period the person shall be obliged not to leave this place. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

Non-essential (other than medicine and food) shops

Open with limitations

Owners or managers of commercial/administrative activities or other sites that provide services to citizens, and whose activities are not suspended, are required to control the number of customers on the site, allowing the presence of 1 person/8 square metres.

When serving customers directly without the protection of a transparent partition, a distance of 1.5 metres and the use of a facemask/safety helmet is required.

Tourist accommodations

Open

Catering establishments

Open with limitations

Visits to catering establishment (restaurants, bars, etc.), gambling halls and casinos are allowed between 7.00 and 23.00, observing a distance of 1.5 m between the backs of the chairs on the adjacent tables and with no more than 6 people at the same table.

Cinemas, museums and indoor attractions

Open with limitations

Cultural and entertainment events (namely film screenings, theatre shows, stage events, concerts, exhibitions, dance classes, creative and musical arts, etc.) can be held using up to 50% of the total capacity.

Cultural and entertainment events (film screenings, theatre shows, stage events, concerts, exhibitions, etc.) can be held using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues.

Visits to museums and galleries can be held if no more than 1 person per 8 sq. m. is admitted.

Personal care services

Open with limitations

Visits to fitness centres, gyms and swimming pools are allowed, using no more than 30% of their total capacity. The same applies in the case of visits to SPA, wellness and thalassotherapy centres.

Outdoors areas and beaches

Open

Ski facilities

Find out more:

Winter season measures (in English)

Winter season measures (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place.

Find out more:

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in English)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in Bulgarian)

Health protocols for tourism services and tourists (in German)

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

Useful Info for tourists

Before starting your journey, please check visa requirements for your destination at: The Schengen visa Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737

______________________________________________________________________________________

18.08.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Depending on the epidemiological situation, countries of origin are classified in green, orange and red.

As of 18 August 2021:

The "Green" countries list comprises Austria, Germany, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, Croatia, Italy, Norway, San Marino, the Vatican City State, Czechia, Luxembourg and Romania.

The "Orange" countries list comprises all EU and EEA Member States that are not listed in the Green or the Red list. 

The "Red" countries list includes Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Spain.

Free entry on a reciprocal basis for Romanian citizens and persons with the status of permanent or long-term residence in Romania and members of their families.

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Provisional information subject to further revision and confirmation from National Authorities

In order to be valid to enter Bulgaria, the EUDCC should contain one of the following:

• Proof of vaccination, valid from 14 days after the second dose, or from 14 days after the first dose if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson);

• Proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid 180 days (at least 11 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).

• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both PCR and Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for RAT tests

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the testing or quarantine requirements.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Green" countries can enter Bulgaria. In the absence of a valid EUDCC, a 10-day quarantine applies. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Orange" countries can enter Bulgaria without being subject to quarantine, but they may be randomly tested upon arrival with a Rapid Antigen test. Bulgarian citizens and persons with permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria (including their family members), who do not present a valid EUDCC or a similar document, must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Holders of a valid EUDCC for vaccination or recovery, who are nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, other EU or EEA countries, or Switzerland, arriving from “Red” countries, can enter Bulgaria upon presentation of a negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival. The following exceptions are foreseen:

• Nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, who present only one of those two documents, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.
• Nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members) of Bulgaria, who do not present either of those two documents, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine.
• Other EU, EEA or Swiss nationals, permanent or long-term residents (including their family members), who do not present a valid EUDCC for vaccination or recovery, but only a negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine.
• 12-18 years old kids can enter Bulgaria upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival. Those, who do not present such document, are admitted to the country and must undergo a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked for kids of Bulgarian nationality or for kids with permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Depending on the colour zone of the country of origin, travellers who enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, regardless of their nationality, shall be admitted upon presentation of one of the following documents:

• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19 is required. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the certificate must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test is required. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the document must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
• For travellers coming from "Green", "Orange" and "Red" countries, a document showing a negative result of a PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a negative result of a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country.

Children under 12 years old are exempted from the requirement to present a negative result of a PCR or antigenic test.

Romanian citizens travelling to Bulgaria, as well as Bulgarian citizens arriving from Romania, do not need to provide a negative result of a PCR or antigen test, nor a document of full vaccination.

Find out more:
Practical information for tourists

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-645 of 28.07.2021, Order № RD-01-673 of 02.08.2021 and Order № RD-01-701 of 13.08.2021 (in Bulgarian)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All persons arriving from non-EU and EEA countries, and not coming from the "Red" countries, nor from countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation, are considered to arrive from "Orange" countries and are admitted to the territory of the country only upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate, or of a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate, namely:

• a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered and name of the issuing competent authority;
• a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result;
• a document showing a negative result of a COVID-19 test (PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country, or a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country).

Non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals from "Red" countries holding a valid certificate for vaccination or recovery can enter Bulgaria only in specific exceptional cases and upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test, done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

As of 18 August 2021, the "Red" countries list comprises:

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Seychelles, Namibia, Zambia, Oman, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Suriname, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Fiji Georgia, Israel, Eswatini and Iran.

Find out more:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-645 of 28.07.2021, Order № RD-01-673 of 02.08.2021 and Order № RD-01-701 of 13.08.2021 (in Bulgarian)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

Partially

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. 

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is recommended whenever possible. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in crowded open public places, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following measures apply for gatherings: 

• The holding of public events (e.g. conferences, seminars, competitions, etc.) is allowed provided that a maximum capacity of up to 50% of the total available space is used.
• All cultural and entertainment events (namely film screenings, theatre shows, stage events, concerts, exhibitions, dance classes, creative and musical arts, etc.) can be held using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues.
• Visits to gambling halls and casinos are allowed when using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues. 
• Visits to discos, bar clubs, piano bars, and night bars are allowed when using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues. 

Safety measures for public transportation

The use of masks or similar means that cover the nose and the mouth is mandatory on public transport. All vehicles/aircraft performing collective forms of transport are disinfected with specifically prescribed detergents. Observance of a safety distance is also mandatory.

Places of worship

Open

Quarantine

All close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case shall be subject to a 10-day quarantine from the last contact with the confirmed case. The quarantine can be done at home or in another place of residence and during this period the person shall be obliged not to leave this place. If no symptoms of COVID-19 appear until the expiry of the prescribed period, the quarantine can be terminated. If symptoms of COVID-19 appear (fever, cough, difficult breathing, loss of sense of smell and taste, etc.) individuals shall contact their GP or the relevant regional health inspectorate, in order to receive appropriate instructions.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

___________________________________________________________________

22.07.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Depending on the epidemiological situation, countries of origin are classified in green, orange and red, as well as countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation.

The "Green" countries list comprises:

Austria, Germany, Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Slovenia, France, Norway, San Marino, Monaco, the Vatican City State, Switzerland and Czechia.

The "Orange" countries list comprises all EU and EEA Member States that are not listed in any other category.

Countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation: Portugal.

As of 19 July 2021, the "Red" countries list includes Cyprus, Spain and the United Kingdom. 

Free entry on a reciprocal basis: Romania. 

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Provisional information subject to further revision and confirmation from National Authorities

In order to be valid to enter Bulgaria, the EUDCC should contain one of the following:

• Proof of vaccination, valid from 14 days after the second dose, or from 14 days after the first dose if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson);

• Proof of recovery from COVID-19, valid 180 days (at least 11 days after the positive result to a COVID-19 test).

• Negative result to a COVID-19 test.
  Both PCR and Rapid Antigen tests (RAT) are accepted.
  Validity: 72 hours prior to arrival for PCR tests, 48 hours prior to arrival for RAT tests

Children under 12 years old coming from "Green" or "Orange" countries are exempted from the testing or quarantine requirements.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Green" countries can enter Bulgaria. In the absence of a valid EUDCC, a 10-day quarantine applies. Quarantine may be revoked upon submission of a document showing a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test taken within 24 hours from entering the country.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Orange" countries can enter Bulgaria without being subject to quarantine, but they may be randomly tested upon arrival with a Rapid Antigen test. 

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation can enter Bulgaria only upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

Holders of a valid EUDCC arriving from "Red" countries can enter Bulgaria only in specific exceptional cases and upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Depending on the colour zone of the country of origin, travellers who enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, regardless of their nationality, shall be admitted upon presentation of one of the following documents:

• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19 is required. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the certificate must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test is required. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result. For travellers coming from "Red" countries, the document must be combined with a negative pre-departure PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
• For travellers coming from "Green", "Orange", "Red" countries and countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation, a document showing a negative result of a PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country.
• For travellers coming from "Green" and "Orange" countries, a document showing a negative result of a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country.

Children under 12 years old coming from "Green" or "Orange" countries are exempted from the requirement to present a negative result of a PCR or antigenic test.

Romanian citizens, as well as Bulgarian citizens arriving from Romania, do not need to provide a negative result of a PCR or antigen test, nor a document of full vaccination.

Find out more:
Practical information for tourists

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-597 of 16.07.2021 (in Bulgarian)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

Documents you need to travel in Europe
Health cover for temporary stays

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

All persons arriving from non-EU and EEA countries and not coming from the "Red" countries, nor from countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation, are considered to arrive from "Orange" countries and are admitted to the territory of the country only upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate, or of a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate, namely:

• a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered and name of the issuing competent authority;
• a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 11 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result;

• a document showing a negative result of a COVID-19 test (PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country, or a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country).

Travellers from countries with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation can enter Bulgaria only upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test, done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

Travellers from "Red" countries holding a valid certificate for vaccination or recovery can enter Bulgaria only in specific exceptional cases and upon presentation of a valid negative pre-departure PCR test, done up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

As of 19 July 2021, the "Red" countries list comprises:

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Brazil, South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Seychelles, Namibia, Zambia, Tunisia, Oman, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Suriname, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Fiji and Kuwait.

As of 08 July 2021, Russia is classified as a country with a significant negative change in the epidemic situation.

Find out more:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (travel info)

Order № RD-01-597 of 16.07.2021 (in Bulgarian) and Order № RD-01-553/05.07.2021 (in English)

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

Partially

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. 

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is recommended whenever possible. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in crowded open public places, whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor and outdoor meetings, public or private gatherings and events

The following measures apply for gatherings: 

• The holding of public events (e.g. conferences, seminars, competitions, etc.) is allowed provided that a maximum capacity of up to 50% of the total available space is used.
• All cultural and entertainment events (namely film screenings, theatre shows, stage events, concerts, exhibitions, dance classes, creative and musical arts, etc.) can be held using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues.
• Visits to gambling halls and casinos are allowed when using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues. 
• Visits to discos, bar clubs, piano bars, and night bars are allowed when using up to 50% of the total capacity of the venues. 

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

Useful Info for tourists

Before starting your journey, please check visa requirements for your destination at: The Schengen visa Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737

EU Digital COVID Certificates

This country is already connected to the Gateway and is issuing and/or verifying at least one EU Digital COVID Certificate (Vaccination, Recovery, Test)

Information on "EU Digital COVID Certificates" issued in Bulgaria

_________

The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation entered into force on 01 July 2021. EU citizens and residents will now be able to have their Digital COVID Certificates issued and verified across the EU. National authorities are in charge of issuing the certificate. 

The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from Covid-19, or test result. Despite the European Digital COVID Certificate, each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what is required to enter upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your destination. 

Find out more: 

Information on the "EU Digital COVID Certificate" 

Press Release 

Questions & Answers 

Factsheet 

Further information: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BGR/7001

17.06.2021

What are the rules to enter this country from an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Entering this country with the EU Digital COVID certificate

Information not yet available.

Entering this country without the EU Digital COVID certificate or with a certificate not compliant with national requirements

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Travellers who enter the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, regardless of their nationality, shall be admitted upon presentation of one of the following documents:

•  a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered and name of the issuing competent authority;
• a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 15 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result;
• a document showing a negative result of a COVID-19 test (PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country, or a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country).

Children up to 5 years old are exempted from the requirement to present a negative result of a PCR or antigenic test.

Romanian citizens, as well as Bulgarian citizens arriving from Romania, do not need to provide a negative result of a PCR or antigen test, nor a document of full vaccination.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Find out more:
Order № RD-01-374 of 27.05.2021 (in Bulgarian)
Practical information for tourists

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Travellers from 97 countries are allowed to enter Bulgaria for tourism purposes. The full list of countries, and the relative entry rules, are available in this communication of the Ministry of Tourism.

Travellers from one of those countries shall be admitted upon presentation of one of the following documents:

•  a certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19. A complete vaccination is reached 14 days after the last scheduled dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The combination of one dose of Vaxzevria/ AZD1222 vaccine with one dose of Comirnaty/ BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine) is also considered a complete vaccination. The document must contain the names of the person, date of birth, dates of the relevant doses of vaccine, trade name and batch number of the COVID-19 vaccine, name of the manufacturer/holder of the market authorisation, country where it was administered and name of the issuing competent authority;
• a document showing a positive result of a PCR or rapid antigen test for COVID-19 for persons who have recovered from COVID-19 between 15 and 180 days from the date of the positive result to the test. The document must contain the names of the person, details of the medical establishment that carried out the examination (name, address or other contact details), the date on which the test was carried out, and positive result.

Additionally, for a limited set of countries, a document showing a negative result of a COVID-19 test (PCR test carried out within 72 hours before entering the country, or a rapid antigenic test carried out within 48 hours before entering the country) is also accepted.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Find out more:
Practical information for tourists (in Bulgarian)
Order № RD-01-278 of 29.04.2021 on the rules and conditions for entry into the territory of Bulgaria, in force from 1 May (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

PARTIALLY

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for the people who are also allowed to enter the country:

(a) Nationals of the EU or a Schengen country and their family members;

(b) Nationals of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Belarus, Kuwait. Furthermore, nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

c) All the other categories of people listed under point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-196 of 31.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian).

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is recommended whenever possible. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in open public places, in crowded areas and whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Information on Tourism at National level

National website with coronavirus-related information for TOURISM

Tourism Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Tourism Bulgaria (in English)

Bulgaria travel (available in English, German, Russian and Bulgarian)

EU Digital COVID Certificates

THIS COUNTRY IS ALREADY CONNECTED TO THE GATEWAY AND IS ISSUING AND/OR VERIFYING AT LEAST ONE EU DIGITAL COVID CERTIFICATE (VACCINATION, RECOVERY, TEST)

Information on "EU Digital COVID Certificates" issued in Bulgaria

_________

The EU Digital COVID Certificate (available as of 1 July 2021) provides proof that a person has either:

• been vaccinated against COVID-19 (vaccine type and manufacturer, number of doses, date of vaccination);
• received a negative test result, PCR or rapid antigen, with the name of the test, date and time of test, test centre and result (self-tests are not valid);
• recovered from COVID-19 (positive PCR test result valid for 180 days).

When travelling, holders of the EU Digital COVID Certificate will have the same rights as citizens of the visited Member State who have been vaccinated, tested or recovered.

The certificate provides a standardised recognition of the holder's status related to vaccination, recovery from COVID or test result. Each country continues to be responsible for the definition of its own entry requirements and rules, which are not standardised at the EU level. This means that what you will be eligible for, upon presentation of this certificate, depends on the measures and entry rules in place at your country of destination.

How does it work:

1. Member States issue a certificate automatically or upon request, which is issued either digitally or on paper, and has a QR code with an electronic signature;
2. Citizens store the certificate in their digital app or wallet and can use it when they travel;
3. When the verifier asks the citizen for the certificate, the QR code is shown and the digital signature is verified.

Find out more:
Information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate

Press Release
Questions & Answers
Factsheet

04.05.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

PARTIALLY

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

All travellers, regardless of their citizenship and the country of origin, are allowed entry upon presentation of one of the following documents:

• a certificate of vaccination, with the last dose of vaccine administered at least 14 days before entry
• a document showing a positive test result (PCR or antigen test) for people who recovered from Covid-19 in the period between 15 and 180 days before entry.

Is a coronavirus test required?

Bulgarian citizens, citizens of EU member states, Schengen countries and their family members are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative COVID-19 (PCR or antigen) test.

The test must be taken within 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen test) before departure.

Is a quarantine required?

Bulgarian citizens, permanent or long-term residents in Bulgaria and their family members, who do not present the negative result of a COVID-19 test, must complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

The quarantine period may be ended upon the presentation of a document showing the negative result of a COVID-19 test performed within 24 hours from the entry.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Find out more:
Order № RD-01-278 of 29.04.2021 on the rules and conditions for entry into the territory of Bulgaria, in force from 1 May (in Bulgarian)

Practical information for tourists

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

As of 1 May, travellers coming from India, Bangladesh, Brazil and some countries and territories in Africa are not allowed to enter Bulgaria, except Bulgarian citizens and permanent or long-term residents in the country (including their family members), to which a 10-day quarantine applies.

All other travellers, regardless of their citizenship and the country of origin, are allowed entry upon presentation of one of the following documents:

• a certificate of vaccination, with the last dose of vaccine administered at least 14 days before entry
• a document showing a positive test result (PCR or antigen test) for people who recovered from Covid-19 in the period between 15 and 180 days before entry.

Is a coronavirus test required?

A pre-departure negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) is required for travellers arriving from the following countries:

• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• South Corea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Israel
• Belarus
• Kuwait
• Turkey
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• North Macedonia
• Kosovo
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Serbia

The test must be taken within 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen test) before departure.

Is a quarantine required?

Bulgarian citizens, long-term and permanent residents in Bulgaria and their family members, who do not present a negative result of a COVID-19 test, are subject to a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be ended upon presentation of a document showing the negative result of a PCR test performed within 24 hours from the entry.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Find out more:
Practical information for tourists
Order № RD-01-278 of 29.04.2021 on the rules and conditions for entry into the territory of Bulgaria, in force from 1 May (in Bulgarian)

May I transit this country?

PARTIALLY

As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restriction.

EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.

Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.

Additionally, for Bulgaria, the following rules apply:

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for the people who are also allowed to enter the country:

(a) Nationals of the EU or a Schengen country and their family members;

(b) Nationals of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Belarus, Kuwait. Furthermore, nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

c) All the other categories of people listed under point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-196 of 31.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian).

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is recommended whenever possible. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in open public places, in crowded areas and whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BGR/7001

31.03.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

NO

Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Is a coronavirus test required?

All travellers are subject to the requirement for a pre-departure negative PCR test.

The test must be taken within 72 hours before departure.

The same applies to travellers who are allowed to enter according to point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-167 of 12.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian), while some exceptions to this requirement are specified in point n. 7 of the same Order.

Is a quarantine required?

Bulgarian citizens and permanent or long-term residents in Bulgaria, as well as their family members, who do not present the negative result of a PCR test, must complete a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

The quarantine period may be ended upon the presentation of a document showing the negative result of a PCR test performed within 24 hours from the entry.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Find out more:
Order № RD-01-167 of 12.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)
Practical information for tourists

Contact Point for Bulgaria:
Important telephone numbers and contacts (in Bulgarian)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Is a coronavirus test required? 

Citizens of the following countries can enter the territory of Bulgaria, provided that they show the negative result of a PCR test not older than 72 hours (with some exceptions):

• Australia
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• South Corea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• United Arab Emirates
• UK
• Israel
• Belarus
• Kuwait
• Turkey 
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• North Macedonia
• Kosovo
• Bosnia and Herzegovina

The same applies to travellers who are allowed to enter according to point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-167 of 12.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian), while some exceptions to this requirement are specified in point n. 7 of the same Order.

Is a quarantine required? 

Bulgarian citizens, as well as long-term and permanent residents in Bulgaria and their family members who do not present the negative result of a PCR test, are subject to a 10-day quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon presentation of a document showing the negative result of a PCR test performed within 24 hours from the entry. Furthermore, all persons who are allowed to enter the country under point n.2 and who arrive from countries and territories in Africa shall be quarantined for a period of 10 days. These travellers are not required to show the negative result of a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine is revoked upon submission to the director of the regional health inspectorate of the negative result of a PCR test taken on the 10th day of the mandatory quarantine.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

To know more:

Practical information for tourists

Order № RD-01-167 of 12.03.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria

May I transit this country?

PARTIALLY

As a general rule, passengers in transit in the EU+ area are exempted from temporary travel restriction.

EU citizens entering the EU from a third country, as well as their family members, irrespective of their nationality, are exempted from the travel restrictions regardless of whether or not they are returning to their country of nationality or residence.

Passengers travelling from a non-EU country to another non-EU country may transit through the international transit area of airports located in the Schengen area. Rules regarding airport transit visa requirements continue to apply.

Additionally, for Bulgaria, the following rules apply:

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for the people who are also allowed to enter the country:

(a) Nationals of the EU or a Schengen country and their family members;

(b) Nationals of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Belarus, Kuwait. Furthermore, nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

c) All the other categories of people listed under point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-105 of 16.02.2021 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian).

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

General measures

Requirements and recommendations for hygiene and social distancing measures are in place. The use of a protective face mask is required in all closed public spaces and a safety distance of 1.5 metres is mandatory. Teleworking is recommended whenever possible and face-to-face school lessons are suspended. 

To know more:

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Health cover for temporary stays

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in open public places, in crowded areas and whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BGR/7001

22.01.2021

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

YES

Note: Bulgaria adopts its own national classification of risk areas, hence travel restrictions for Bulgaria are not based on the common "EU Traffic Lights" map.

Citizens of EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries, as well as their family members, are allowed to enter Bulgaria without restrictions.

Full details are available in the Order № RD-01-719 of 20.12.2020 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

As of 01.01.2021, travellers from the UK who are admitted to the territory of Bulgaria are required to show a negative result of a PCR test not older than 72 hours.

Full details are available in the Order № RD-01-725 of 23.12.2020 for a temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of arrivals from the United Kingdom (in Bulgarian)

____________________

Citizens of the following countries can enter the territory of Bulgaria without restrictions:

• Australia;
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• South Corea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• United Arab Emirates
• Israel
• Belarus
• Kuwait
• Turkey 
• Serbia
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• North Macedonia

The same applies to travellers who are allowed to enter and who arrive from a starting point located in one of the countries belonging to the previous list. 

All people who arrive from a starting point located in a third country not belonging to the previous list and who are authorized to enter according to point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-719 of 20.12.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian):

are admitted to the territory of Bulgaria upon submission of a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours.

Bulgarian citizens, as well as long-term and permanent residents in Bulgaria and their family members, who come from countries for which a negative PCR test is required, and who do not present such a test, are subject to a 10-days quarantine. Quarantine may be revoked upon presentation of a negative PCR test result performed within 24 hours from the entry.

May I transit this country?

YES

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for the people who are also allowed to enter the country:

(a) nationals of the EU or a Schengen country and their family members;

(b) non-EU nationals, who have a long-term residence permit in another EU Member State or in a Schengen country and their family members;

(c) nationals of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Belarus, Kuwait. Furthermore, nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

Transit is only permitted when the traveller will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

Additional details can be found on the Order № RD-01-719 of 20.12.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian).

General measures

Restrictions introduced (in Bulgarian)

Health cover for temporary stays

Use of facemasks

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is mandatory in indoor public spaces, including means of public transport, medical and health establishments, pharmacies, opticians, national centres for public health, administrative institutions, railway and bus stations, airports, metro stations, shops, churches, monasteries, temples, museums, etc. and in every condition in which it is not possible to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

The use of masks or similar means that cover nose and mouth is also mandatory in open public places, in crowded areas and whenever it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from other people. 

Exceptions to the mandatory use of masks apply in the following cases: 

• customers in restaurants and drinking establishments;
• athletes during physical activity both indoors and outdoors;
• participants in congress/conference events, briefings, press conferences and seminars, or during a speech, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres applies;
• participants (presenters and guests) in TV shows, provided that a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the other participants applies;
• children up to 6 years of age.

Find out more: 

Order № RD-01-675 of 25.11.2020 of the Minister of Health (in Bulgarian)

Physical Distancing

A physical distance of 1.5 metres from people who do not belong to the same household has to be maintained. This measure is mandatory in working and public places both indoors and outdoors.

Find out more:

Practical information for tourists

14.12.2020

From an EU Member State or Schengen Associated Country, may I enter this country without being subject to extraordinary restrictions?

Entry Restrictions

Citizens of EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries and their family members are allowed to enter Bulgaria without restrictions.

Full details are available in the Order № RD-01-680 of 27.11.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

What are the rules to enter this country from outside an EU Member State or Schengen Associated country?

Citizens of the following countries can enter the territory of Bulgaria without restrictions:

• Austrialia;
• Canada
• Georgia
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Rwanda
• South Corea
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• Uruguay
• United Arab Emirates
• Israel
• Belarus
• Kuwait
• Turkey 
• Serbia
• Albania
• Montenegro
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• North Macedonia

The same applies to travellers who are allowed to enter and who arrive from a starting point located in one of the countries belonging to the previous list. 

All people who arrive from a starting point located in a third country not belonging to the previous list and who are authorized to enter according to point n.2 of the Order № RD-01-680 of 27.11.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian):

are admitted to the territory of Bulgaria upon submission of a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours.

Bulgarian citizens, as well as long-term and permanent residents in Bulgaria and their family members, who come from countries for which a negative PCR test is required, and who do not present such a test, are subject to a 10-days quarantine.

To know more:

Practical information for tourists

Transit

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for the people who are also allwed to enter the country:

(a) nationals of the EU, a Schengen country, or the UK and their family members;

(b) non-EU nationals, who have a long-term residence permit in another EU Member State, the UK, or in a Schengen country and their family members;

(c) nationals of Austrialia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Belarus, Kuwait. Furthermore, nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

Transit is only permitted when the traveler will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

Additional details can be found on the Order № RD-01-680 of 27.11.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian).

Find out more:

Practical information for tourists

Documents you need to travel in Europe

28.10.2020

Entry Restrictions

Citizens of EU Member States + Schengen Associated countries and their family members are allowed to enter Bulgaria without restrictions.

Full details are available in the Order № RD-01-547 of 30.09.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

Transit

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for:

(a) nationals of the EU, a Schengen country, or the UK and their family members;

(b) non-EU nationals, who have a long-term residence permit in another EU Member State, the UK, or in a Schengen country and their family members;

(c) Nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

Transit is only permitted when the traveler will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

Mandatory Travel Documentation

Self-risk travel declaration available in 8 languages (BG / EN / DE / RU / FR / RO / GR / RS)

Citizens of Austrialia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Kuwait, Turkeycan enter the territory of Bulgaria without restrictions.

Third countries

All people who arrive from all other third countries and who:

- have permanent status, long-term or long-term residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (including member of their families);

- hold a Bulgarian long-stay visa type "D", as well as a residence permit in a EU+ country (including member of their families)

are admitted to the territory of Bulgaria upon submission of a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours before entry.

30.09.2020

Transit

Transit through Bulgaria to the country of residence is allowed for:

(a) nationals of the EU, a Schengen country, or the UK and their family members;

(b) non-EU nationals, who have a long-term residence permit in another EU Member State, the UK, or in a Schengen country and their family members;

(c) Nationals of Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Moldova and Turkey, as well as Kuwait and Israel, can transit to return to the country of which they are nationals.

Transit is only permitted when the traveler will immediately leave Bulgaria. Persons who are allowed to transit must submit to health inspectors at the border a declaration, regarding observation of the Ministry of Health’s anti-epidemic measures and acknowledgement of the risks of COVID-19.

Third-country national coming from outside the EU and Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein

Citizens of Austria, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Corea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, United Arab Emirates can enter the territory of Bulgaria without restrictions.

All people who arrive from all other third countries and who:

- have permanent status, long-term or long-term residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (including member of their families);

- hold a Bulgarian long-stay visa type "D", as well as a residence permit in a EU+ country (including member of their families)

are admitted to the territory of Bulgaria upon submission of a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours before entry.

EU+ comprises EU Member States plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, Vatican City State and the Republic of San Marino.

Full details are available in the Order № RD-01-488 of 31.08.2020 for temporary ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria (in Bulgarian)

1.09.2020

A temporary ban has been introduced for the entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of all persons, regardless of their nationality, through all border crossings, by air, sea, railway and road transport.

The ban does not apply to:
- Bulgarian citizens and persons with permanent status or long-term residence in Bulgaria, and members of their families;
- Nationals as well as persons holding a residence permit of Member States of the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Schengen Parties (including the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and the Vatican City State) and members of their families;
- Citizens of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel, Kuwait, Belarus and Turkey.

Is entry based on nationality, residency or location of departure?
The main driver is nationality/residency, which sets if a traveller is authorised to enter the country. Additionally, only for authorised travellers, the location of departure defines if a PCR test is required or not. For the purposes of this order, the country from which a traveller arrives is considered to be the country of departure, irrespective of his stay or transit through other countries during his journey.

All persons authorised to enter the country, and arriving from a starting point in one of the above-mentioned countries, shall be admitted in Bulgaria without the need to provide a certificate showing a negative PCR result for COVID-19.

All persons who are allowed entry into the country, and who arrive from a starting point in a third country outside the above mentioned list, shall be admitted in Bulgaria only after providing a document showing a negative PCR result for COVID-19 conducted within 72 hours before entering the country. This certificate shall contain the name of the person according to the identity document with which he is travelling, information on the laboratory carrying out the test (name, address or other contact details), date on which the examination was carried out, written in the Latin method and allowing interpretation of the document.

The Bulgarian citizens, as well as long-term and permanent residents in Bulgaria and the members of their families who come from countries for which a negative PCR test is required, and who do not present such a test, are subject to 14 days of quarantine.

Other exceptions are also identified. Full details may be found in the Order No RD-01-459 of 31.08.2020 of the Minister of Health.
Driving abroad

Source: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/BGR

09.03.2022

Important information

If you need urgent assistance in case of a problem abroad , you can contact a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in one of the following ways:

• On our duty contacts in Sofia - +359 2 948 24 04, +359 893 339 616 and email address crisis@mfa.bg
• On the duty telephones of the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Bulgaria, which are published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

We recommend that you strictly follow the instructions of local authorities - they aim to protect your health!

Regarding the entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria

Order № RD-01-126 of 09.03.2022 for determining the conditions and requirements for entry into Bulgaria and Order № RD-01-114 of 01.03.2022 for determining the conditions and requirements for entry into Bulgaria

I. I introduce the following temporary anti-epidemic measures regarding the entry of persons arriving from other countries on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, from 10.03.2022 to 31.03.2022, according to the assessment of the spread of COVID-19 in the respective country by criteria and placing countries in color zones as follows:

1. Criteria for assessing the prevalence of COVID-19 in the country concerned:

1.1. 14-day morbidity - the total number of newly registered cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days per 100,000 population in the country concerned;

1.2. weekly positivity of laboratory tests - relative share in% of positive samples in the country compared to all PCR tests and rapid antigenic tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the last week (last 7 days);

1.3. level of research in the country - number of tests performed for SARS-CoV-2 infection per 100,000 population in the last week (last 7 days);

1.4. identification of a variant of SARS-CoV-2 identified as a "worry" variant;

1.5. lack of sufficient information, periodic updating of information or a reliable source of information about a country.

2. Color zones:

2.1. Green area:

2.1.1. if, at the time of assessment, the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is lower than 75 per 100,000 population; or

2.1.2. if at the time of assessment the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is between 75 and 200 per 100,000 population and the weekly positivity of the laboratory tests performed is less than 4%.

2.2. Orange area:

2.2.1. if, at the time of assessment, the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is between 75 and 200 per 100,000 population and the weekly positivity of the laboratory tests performed is greater than or equal to 4%; or

2.2.2. if at the time of assessment the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is between 200 and 500 per 100,000 population.

2.3. Red zone:

2.3.1. if at the time of assessment the 14-day incidence per 100,000 population is over 500 per 100,000 population.

2.3.2 . There is a lack of sufficient information, periodic updates or a reliable source of information for the country concerned, or if the level of the survey is less than 300 samples per 100,000 population; or

2.3.3. if a SARS-CoV-2 variant is of concern in the country concerned, taking into account sequencing volumes and transmission levels.

2.4. If there is information about a significant negative change in the epidemic situation in the country from green, orange or red zone or in some of its territories, before the official change of the color zone of the country in relation to persons arriving in the Republic of Bulgaria may apply specific anti-epidemic measures announced in Annex № 1.

3. The list of countries and territories by color zones and countries for which a significant negative change in the epidemic situation under item 2.4 has been established is contained in Annex № 1.

3 .1 . The list under item 3 is determined on the basis of information published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) - for the Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU and EEA), the World Health Organization and the Control Center of Diseases - Atlanta, USA - for all countries and the spread of "anxiety" options.

3.2 . All countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation that do not fall into the red zone, according to the information in point 3.1, are considered to be orange countries.

3.3 . The list under item 3 shall be reviewed periodically and, if necessary, updated every 14 days, and in the event of a deterioration of the epidemic situation in the respective country, it may be updated more frequently.

3.4. The information under item 3 is monitored and prepared by the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.

4. Temporary anti-epidemic measures for arrivals, according to color zones:

4.1. Green zone - persons are admitted to the territory of the country upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing or an equivalent or similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate.

4.1.1. Persons who do not present a document under item 4.1 shall be placed under quarantine for 10 days in the home or other place of accommodation in which the person has indicated that he will reside, with a prescription issued by the director of the relevant regional health inspectorate or authorized by his deputy director.

4.1.2. The quarantined person under item 4.1.1. may carry out a polymerase chain reaction test to detect COVID-19 or a rapid antigen test of those listed in Annex № 2 not earlier than 72 hours of arrival in the country. In case of a negative result of the conducted research, the quarantine of the person shall be considered terminated from the day of registration of the result in the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

4.2. Orange Zone - Persons are admitted to the territory of the country upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing or an equivalent or similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate.

4.2.1 . Persons who do not present a document under item 4.2 shall be placed under quarantine for a period of 10 days in the home or other place of accommodation in which the person has indicated that he will reside, with a prescription issued by the director of the relevant regional health inspectorate or Deputy Director authorized by him.

4.2.2 . The quarantined person under item 4.2.1. may carry out a polymerase chain reaction test to detect COVID-19 or a rapid antigen test of those listed in Annex № 2 not earlier than 72 hours of arrival in the country. In case of a negative result of the conducted research, the quarantine of the person shall be considered terminated from the day of registration of the result in the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

4.3. Red zone - persons are admitted to the territory of the country upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing or an equivalent or similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate.

4.3.1 . Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent, long-term or long-term residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and members of their families who do not present a document under item 4.3 shall be quarantined for 10 days at home or elsewhere, in which the person has indicated that he will reside, with a prescription issued by the director of the respective regional health inspectorate or a deputy director authorized by him.

4.3.2 . The quarantined person under item 4.3.1. may carry out a polymerase chain reaction test to detect COVID-19 or a rapid antigen test of those listed in Annex № 2 not earlier than 72 hours of arrival in the country. In case of a negative result of the conducted research, the quarantine of the person shall be considered terminated from the day of registration of the result in the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

4.4. Persons arriving from Ukraine, regardless of the area in which the country arrives at the time of arrival, are admitted to the country upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing, or an equivalent or similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate. Persons who do not present such a document shall be quarantined for a period of 10 days in the home or other place of accommodation in which the person has indicated that he will reside, with a prescription issued by the director of the relevant regional health inspectorate or authorized by him deputy director.

4.5. The quarantined person under item 4.4. may carry out a polymerase chain reaction test to detect COVID-19 or a rapid antigen test of those listed in Annex № 2 not earlier than 72 hours of arrival in the country. In case of a negative result of the conducted research, the quarantine of the person shall be considered terminated from the day of registration of the result in the National Information System for Combating COVID-19.

5. COVID-19 documents shall be allowed on the territory of the country without the need to present documents, regardless of the area from which persons who are:

5.1. drivers and stewards of buses engaged in international passenger transport;

5.2 . drivers of trucks that perform or complete the international transport of goods and goods upon entering the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;

5.3 . members of the crews of vessels and the persons engaged in the maintenance of the vessels, who upon entering the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria perform their official duties;

5.4 . members of the crew of an aircraft that flies to and from airports for public use on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and the persons engaged in aircraft maintenance;

5.5 . frontier workers (persons living in the Republic of Bulgaria and traveling daily or at least once a week to a Member State of the European Union, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Serbia or the Republic of Northern Macedonia, in order to work as an employed or self-employed person, as well as persons who live in the indicated countries and travel daily or at least once a week to the Republic of Bulgaria for the purpose of exercising activity as an employed or self-employed person);

5.6 . Pupils, students and doctoral students living in the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Romania and traveling to the Republic of Bulgaria for training certified by a document from the relevant institution, as well as students and doctoral students in the Republic of Bulgaria and travel to the Republic of Greece, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Northern Macedonia and Romania for the purpose of training, certified by a document from the respective educational institution; 

5.7 . persons passing in transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the cases when the immediate departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria can be guaranteed;

5.8 . children up to the age of 12.

6. Persons, with the exception of those under item 5, shall be admitted to the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria only through the following border checkpoints (BCPs): Burgas Airport Border Checkpoint; Varna Airport Border Checkpoint; Plovdiv Airport Border Checkpoint; Sofia Airport Border Checkpoint (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2); Border Checkpoint "Port of Burgas"; Port of Varna Border Checkpoint; Vidin border checkpoint; Vrashka Chuka border checkpoint; Durankulak border checkpoint; Gueshevo border checkpoint; Zlatarevo border checkpoint; Ilinden border checkpoint; Kalotina border checkpoint; Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint; Captain Petko Voivoda border checkpoint; Kardam border checkpoint; Kulata border checkpoint; Lesovo border checkpoint; Makaza border checkpoint; Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint; Oltomantsi border checkpoint; Oryahovo border checkpoint; Ruse border checkpoint; Silistra border checkpoint; Somovit-Nikopol border checkpoint; Stanke Lisichkovo border checkpoint and Strezimirovtsi border checkpoint.

7 . The Road Infrastructure Agency determines the place where the truck and the driver must stay until the relevant ban is lifted in cases where drivers of lorries transporting goods and goods destined for other countries due to a ban by a border state of the Republic of Bulgaria, cannot leave the country.

8. When establishing a passenger with COVID-19 on board an aircraft that has landed on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the cabin crew members serving the passenger with COVID-19 shall not be planned for the next flight, as they shall be quarantined for term of 7 days with a prescription issued by the director of the respective regional health inspection or by a deputy director authorized by him.

9 . For the purposes of this order:

9.1. "State (territory) from which the person arrives" means the country (territory) - the starting point of his departure, regardless of the stay associated with his transit through other countries during his movement.

9.2. "Valid EU digital COVID vaccination certificate or similar document" means:

9.2.1. a document for completed vaccination course against COVID-19, valid from the 15th day to the 270th day from the date of the last dose. The document must contain the names of the person written in Latin, according to the identity document with which he travels, date of birth, date on which the last received dose of vaccine against COVID-19, serial number of the dose, and the total number of doses in double vaccines, trade name of the vaccine against COVID-19, name of the manufacturer / holder of the marketing authorization, country of issue and name of the issuing competent authority and, for the EU certificate, its unique identifier . The completion of a vaccination course is considered to be the appropriate number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine listed in Annex № 3.

9.2.2. a document for an additional (booster) dose of vaccine against COVID-19 after completing a vaccination course. The document must contain the names of the person written in Latin according to the identity document he / she is traveling with, date of birth, date of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine, serial number of the dose and the total number of vaccine doses, the trade name of the vaccine against COVID-19, the name of the manufacturer / holder of the marketing authorization, the country in which it was issued and the name of the issuing competent authority and, for the EU certificate, its unique identifier.

9.3."Valid EU digital COVID certificate" is a document certifying that a person has suffered from COVID-19 and which is valid for the period from the 11th to the 180th day from the date of the study entered in the document. The certificate must contain the names of the person written in Latin according to the identity document with which he is traveling, date of birth, date of the first positive result of the NAAT test or date of the first positive result of a rapid antigen test included in the Committee's approval. for health security, a common EU list of COVID-19 antigen tests performed by medical professionals or qualified testing staff and a positive result (Positive), details of the issuing authority, country in which the study was performed and its unique identifier.

9.3 . 1. A document analogous to the EU digital COVID certificate shall be a document certifying that a person has suffered from COVID-19 and which is valid for the period from the 11th to the 180th day from the date of the study entered in in the document. The document must contain the names of the person, according to the identity document with which he travels, date of birth, date of the first positive result of PCR test or rapid antigen test and positive result (Positive), data about the medical institution that performed the study , address or other contact details) or the issuing authority and the country where the study was performed.

9.4."Valid EU digital COVID test certificate" or a similar document is a document showing a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction test performed up to 72 hours before entry into the country or a negative result from a fast test conducted up to 48 hours before entry into the country. antigen test as of the date of sampling entered in the document. The document must contain the names of the person written in Latin, according to the identity document with which he travels, date of birth, type of test, written in Latin method (PCR or RAT) and negative result (Negative), date and time of collection of the test sample, trade name and manufacturer of the test (mandatory for rapid antigen tests), name of the laboratory / medical institution that performed the test, country,

10 . Equivalent to the EU digital COVID certificate are also COVID-19 certificates issued by a third country in accordance with standards and technological systems that are interoperable with the Digital COVID Trust Framework. EU certificate. The list of countries (territories) whose COVID-19 vaccination, testing and disease certificates are considered equivalent to the EU digital COVID is set out in Annex № 4.

Annex № 1 to item I, 3

List of countries and territories by color zones, and countries for which there is information about a significant negative change in the epidemic situation

Green area:

-

Orange area:

All countries outside the green and red zone.

Red zone:

Australia

Austria

Andorra

Afghanistan

Barbados

Bahrain

Belgium

Bermuda

Brunei

Bhutan

Great Britain

Vietnam

Germany

Gibraltar

Georgia

Greece

Denmark

Dominica

Estonia

Israel

Ireland

Iceland

Spain

Italy

Jordan

Cayman Islands

Cyprus

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Costa Rica

Latvia

Lithuania

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Mauritius

Maldives

Monaco

The Netherlands

New Zealand

New Caledonia

Norway

Isle of Man

Palau

Portugal

Republic of Korea

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Serbia

Tanzania

Tonga

Turkey

Ukraine

Uruguay

Faroe Islands

Finland

France

French Polynesia

Croatia

Czech Republic

Chile

Switzerland

Japan

Annex № 2 to item I, 4.1.2

Annex № 3 to item I, 9.2.1.

 Annex № 4 to item I , 10

List of countries (territories) whose COVID-19 vaccination, testing and disease certificates are considered equivalent to the EU digital COVID certificate

Albania

Andorra

Armenia

Benin

Vatican (only in respect of vaccination certificates issued)

Great Britain

Georgia

El Salvador

Israel

Iceland

Jordan

Cape Verde

Lebanon

Liechtenstein

Morocco

Moldova

Monaco

New Zealand

Norway

United Arab Emirates

Panama

Republic of Northern Macedonia

San Marino

Singapore

Serbia

Taiwan

Thailand

Togo

Tunisia

Turkey

Ukraine

Uruguay

Faroe Islands

Montenegro

Switzerland

Further information: https://coronavirus.bg/bg/

18.08.2020

Entry requirements

01 - 31 August 2020 additional rules under Ordinances of the Minister of Health apply on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria:

• Persons, arriving from the following countries are excluded from the effective temporary ban on entry on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria: EU countries, UK, the Schengen states, including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican, Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Ruanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunis, Uruguay, Jordan, Ukraine, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel, Kuwait, as well as persons possessing Type D Bulgarian Visa for long-term residence. The other exceptions from the temporary ban still include medical and transport personnel, officials, persons traveling for humanitarian (within the meaning of § 1, item 16 of the additional provisions of the Law for the Foreigners of the Republic of Bulgaria) or educational reasons, seasonal workers and workers in the field of tourism, as well as representatives of trade, economic and investment activities and persons directly related to: construction, maintenance, operation and ensuring the safety of the strategic and critical infrastructure of the Republic of Bulgaria, implementation of projects certified under the Investment Promotion Act, analyzes of projects of potential investors and other activities relevant to the country's economy, certified by a letter from the Minister of Economy or another minister responsible for the respective activity, as well as persons engaged in shipbuilding and ship repair and members of their families. The letter of the respective minister shall be submitted to the border control authorities;
• All persons, who are excluded from the temporary ban and commencing their travel from the territory of a Member State of the European Union, UK, Schengen states (including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican), Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, Jordan and Ukraine shall be allowed on the territory of Bulgaria without the requirement to present a document, proving a negative PCR test result for COVID-19.
• Excluded from the temporary ban on entry are also organizers and participants in international sports competitions - for the time of the respective sporting event, certified by a letter from the Minister of Youth and Sports, in which the names of the persons and the place (address) of their stay in Bulgaria are indicated. The letter should be submitted to the border control authorities.
• Foreign citizens, who are to receive a decree under the Bulgarian Citizenship Law for acquiring a Bulgarian citizenship, certified by a letter from the Minister of Justice are also excluded from the temporary ban.
• Transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is now allowed to persons, traveling from countries, excluded from the temporary ban, the Republic of Moldova, or citizens of the Republic of Turkey, returning to their home country.
• Persons arriving from the following countries should present a document proving a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, issued up to 72 hours before their arrival to Bulgaria: all third countries, except those excluded from the temporary ban on entry, and those, beginning their travel from a starting point from third countries other than those referred to in in the second paragraph of the current text, including Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel and Kuwait. The document should contain the names of the person according to the ID card, which they use during their travel, data about the laboratory that performed the test (name, address or other contact details), date on which the test was performed, written in English - method (PCR) and negative result (Negative), which would allow correct interpretation of the document.
• In case of a passenger with COVID-19 on board an aircraft, landed on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the cabin crew members who serviced the passenger are not to be scheduled for the next flight and will be a subject of a quarantine for a period of 14 days with a prescribe, issued by the director of the respective regional health inspection or an official authorized by him.

Start date:   01.08.2020

End date:    31.08.2020

22.07.2020

Transit through Bulgaria

Transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, upon submitting a declaration to Border Health Control Authorities, shall be granted to:

• citizens of EU Member States, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Schengen countries (including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican) and their family members in order to return to their country of residence;
• third-country nationals who hold a long-term residence permit in another EU Member State, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or a Schengen country (including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and the Vatican) and their family members in order to return to the country of residence;
• citizens of Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, Albania and Kosovo in order to return to the country of which they are nationals.

Transit shall be allowed only when immediate departure from the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is guaranteed.

Start date: 18.06.2020

End date: 30.06.2020

Further information: https://www.mh.government.bg/media/filer_public/2020/06/17/z...

More info: https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/home_en

19.03.2020

The Bulgarian Customs Agency publishes information regarding COVID-19 on its
administration’s web-site :
https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency/media-center/on-focus/covid-19 in Bulgarian and
https://customs.bg/wps/portal/agency-en/media-center/on-focus/covid-19 in English.

Mandatory 14-day quarantine (17.03.2020)

Bulgaria has issued an Ordinance N130 which establishes nationals of which countries shall be placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days. All Bulgarian nationals or foreign nationals having their permanent, long-term or extended residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and their family members arriving from certain countries shall be placed in quarantine for a period of 14 days either at their home or at a placement facility at which said persons have stated they would reside. For the list of countries and exemptions refer to the website.

Start date: 17.03.2020

End date: not available

Temporary ban on the entry of third-country nationals into the territory of Bulgaria (19.03.2020)

Bulgaria has issued an Ordinance N138 temporarily prohibiting the entry of third-country nationals into Bulgaria. The entry into the territory of Bulgaria shall be temporarily prohibited from 00:00 hours on 20 March until 17 April 2020, inclusive, to all third-country nationals at all border crossing points and with any means of transport, including aviation, maritime, rail and road. The ban on entry into the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria of persons arriving from the following EU Member States and Schengen countries shall remain in force: Italy, Spain, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, except Bulgarian citizens, family members of Bulgarian citizens and persons with permanent and long-term residence status on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. Citizens from these EU Member States and Schengen countries and their family members are allowed to transit through the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in order to return to their country of residence. For further information and possible exemptions consult the website.

Start date: 20.03.2020

End date: 17.04.2020

Contact information:

http://www.mh.government.bg/bg/novini/aktualno/ministrt-na-zdraveopazvaneto-izdade-zapoved-za-lic/