Bulgaria
Warnings and insurance
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:
- advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
- information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
Update history
2024-09-05 13:12
Information on the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), planned to be introduced from November 2024 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-07-11 15:03
This travel advice was reviewed for style and accuracy. Advice about race-related incidents added (see ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-31 00:21
Information on Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area from 31 March
2024-02-08 11:57
Information on the penalties for drink driving in Bulgaria (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-02-02 15:28
Bulgaria will partially join the Schengen zone on 31 March 2024. This includes arrivals by air and sea but not land where border checks will remain in place (‘Entry Requirements’ page).
2023-09-06 16:27
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-06-22 10:31
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2022-11-30 11:09
Updated information on the COVID-19 regulations in Bulgaria (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-09-08 14:39
Updated information on the continuation of COVID-19 regulations in Bulgaria (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-26 17:09
Updated information on extension of COVID regulations until 31 August and that the requirement to wear masks on public transport has now ended (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-18 16:32
Updated information on reduced COVID-19 isolation period from 10 days to 7 days if you have tested positive and from 7 days to 5 days if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-11 15:55
Updated information on face mask requirements (‘Coronavirus’ page).
2022-08-03 16:26
Updated information on face mask requirements in Sofia (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-05-12 15:17
Clarification about current passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-29 22:46
End of COVID entry rules from 1 May 2022 (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-04 16:06
Restrictions updated on 1 April due to the end of the ‘Epidemic Emergency’ (‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-24 14:44
Changes to domestic requirements for access to public areas (‘Coronavirus’ page)
2022-03-02 13:14
Updated information on entry requirements to Bulgaria (‘Entry requirements’ page)