Since its accession to the European Union on 1 January 2007, the Republic of Bulgaria adheres to the EU’s General Visa Policy, as stipulated by the terms of its EU Accession Treaty.
Currently, Bulgaria issues national visas exclusively. These visas do not permit entry into the Schengen Zone.
The responsibility for issuing visas lies with the diplomatic and consular officials of the Republic of Bulgaria or with officials from another EU member state that Bulgaria has entered into an agreement with. This agreement covers the submission and processing of visa applications, along with the actual granting of visas.
The types of visas available are categorized as follows:
1. Airport transit (visa type “A”);
2. Short-term visit (visa type “C”);
3. Long-term visit (visa type “D”).
For detailed information regarding the visa application process, necessary documentation, and the location of consular offices, visitors are encouraged to consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website at www.mfa.bg
Border control is implemented upon entering or exiting Bulgaria. The following border control checkpoints (BCCP) operate at the borders of the country. Along the Bulgaria-Serbia border are checkpoints BCCP Bregovo, BCCP Vrashka Chuka, BCCP Kalotina, BCCP Strezimirovtsi, BCCP Oltomantsi; along the Bulgaria-Macedonia border are the checkpoints BCCP Gyueshevo, BCCP Stanke Lisichkovo, BCCP Zlatarevo; along the Bulgaria-Turkey border are the checkpoints BCCP Malko Tarnovo, BCCP Lesovo, BCCP Kapitan Andreevo; along the Bulgaria-Greek border are the checkpoints BCCP Kulata, BCCP Ilinden, BCCP Kapitan Petko Voyvoda, BCCP Ivaylovgrad, BCCP Zlatograd; along the Bulgaria-Romania border are the checkpoints BCCP Vidin – ferryboat, BCCP Oryahovo – ferryboat, BCCP Ruse – Danube bridge, BCCP Silistra, BCCP Kardam, BCCP Durankulak; at the river ports are BCCP Vidin, BCCP Lom, BCCP Somovit – Nikopol, BCCP Svishtov, BCCP Ruse, BCCP Tutrakan, BCCP Silistra; at the sea ports there are BCCP Balchik, BCCP Varna, BCCP Burgas, BCCP Tsarevo; and at the airports are BCCP Sofia Airport, BCCP Plovdiv Airport, BCCP Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport, BCCP Varna Airport, and BCCP Burgas Airport. Verification of documents and inspection of motor vehicles, freight, and personal effects is performed at these checkpoints, and complete documentation is conducted for persons who enter or exit the country, including verification of names, passport data, final destination of the trip, and the purpose of the visit. Depending on the location of the checkpoint, people and luggage may be examined with an X-ray scanner or metal detector, and video recording equipment may be employed.
