Visitors Guide to Bulgaria

Residency, Visas and Passports

Depending upon country of origin, it is likely that visitors will not require a visa for stays up to 90 days. Passports will need to be valid for a minimum of three months from the date of entry. Visitors should check with their local embassy for any updates on entry and visa restrictions prior to visiting to ensure correct information. Visitors arriving to Bulgaria will need to show proof of a return ticket, or an onward destination, or sufficient funds for purchasing a ticket.

Non-EU visitors are required to register with the local police station within 5 days of arrival to Bulgaria however most hotels will have arranged this registration for their customers.

For visitors who have purchased a holiday home in Bulgaria and plan to only visit on occasions do not require a visa for visiting. This regulation is designed for visitors who do not plan to visit for more than 90 days at a time.

To arrange permanent residency in Bulgaria, it is required to first have lived in the country for a minimum of 5 years. Prior to obtaining a permanent residents permit, a long-term stay permit is required, this permit is valid for 1 year and renewed each year.

Getting There

Bulgaria is well connected by air, rail and road and has 4 international airports, the largest being in the capital, Sofia. Discount flights are available from the UK and Ireland with all of Bulgaria’s national airlines and the airports have bus and taxi services running to the city centres.

View Larger Map

Travelling to Bulgaria by train is possible with direct connections from Paris, Vienna, Munich and Berlin. It is also possible to travel directly by bus from Greece, Turkey, Romania, Macedonia and Serbia.

If driving a private car into Bulgaria, home licenses are valid on the condition that they comply with International laws, otherwise and international license will be required.

Local Transport

All of the major touristic destinations of Bulgaria are well connected by public transport systems, making it easier for the first time visitor to travel within the country. The large cities are well connected with public transport, as buses are the preferred mode of transport used by Bulgarians.

Taxi’s are readily available and it is advisable to check that the meter is used when beginning the journey, otherwise it is advisable to agree to the price of the journey prior to setting off, this will avoid the possibility of being over charged.

The larger cities of Bulgaria have a type of tram service that is popular, yet the smaller towns rely on buses and / or trains. The past 10 years has seen a large increase in the numbers of private cars in use within Bulgaria, increasing the traffic loads. Upgrading of highways and transport infrastructure is being implemented to cope with the current use and demand and the expected increases in future demands.

Health & Safety

Bulgaria is a safe place to visit with only small amounts of petty theft seen in the larger, more crowded areas. Parked cars, especially those with foreign license plates tend to be a target for theft.

European visitors are able to use their European Health Insurance Cards for free or reduced costs medical treatment, while visitors from outside Europe are advised to take personal medical and travel insurance to avoid the possibility of potentially costly hospital visits.

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travelling to Bulgaria, although visitors are warned to take care around stray dogs, as they may have rabies, although this disease is rarely transmitted to humans.

The mains water is safe to drink in Bulgaria, yet it tends to be heavily chlorinated, so most visitors prefer to drink bottled water due to the taste.

Investors Guide to Bulgaria
Back to Bulgaria Home