Data Last Updated: May 18, 2021
General Information
Bulgaria has reopened its borders to tourists coming from certain countries. Travelers will have three options to be allowed entry - they can show proof of negative Covid-19 test, show proof of vaccination, or proof of recent recovery from the virus.
The list of countries whose residents are able to enter Bulgaria without restrictions is regularly updated–they include the list of EU-approved countries and EU member states.
Arrivals from the following countries are temporarily banned -India, Brazil, Bangladesh, and several other countries in Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia.
Mask Requirement
Mask is required to be worn in all public indoor, public transport and all outdoor areas.
Internal Restrictions/Closures
Authorities in Bulgaria have extended the national state of epidemic emergency and constituent measures introduced to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) until at least Nov. 30. The state of emergency makes it easier for authorities to enforce temporary extensions and restrictions.
Authorities have allowed most nonessential businesses to resume operations provided they comply with certain mandates aimed at preventing any spike in COVID-19 activity. Protective face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
While Bulgaria has previously taken steps to ease COVID-19 restrictions, authorities warned that restrictive measures could be reintroduced if disease activity in the country increases.
Airlines & Transport
Airports in the country remain open but are operating on a reduced schedule.
Since June, many airlines have resumed their flights into Bulgaria and are adding more as demand increases. There are flights coming from many European cities going to Sofia, Burgas, and Varna directly.
Status of Opening to Tourists
Information based on tourists place of residence being in that country for the last 14 days
Select Country of Residence
Open to Tourists From:
83 Countries
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Burkina Faso
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Guinea
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Japan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Mali
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Republic of Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
San Marino
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
Somalia
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Togo
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City
Test Required For Tourists From:
1 Countries
Israel
Not Allowing Tourists From:
160 Countries
Afghanistan
American Samoa
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Chile
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cuba
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eswatini
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Isle of Man
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Lesotho
Libya
Macao
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Mongolia
Montserrat
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Georgia
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos
Tuvalu
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
More Details
Bulgaria is now open to welcome tourists from select countries. As of July 16, 2020, Bulgaria also added more countries to their approved list, allowing select third-party countries to also enter without testing or quarantine.
Who Can Visit Bulgaria?
Residents of the countries on this list can enter Bulgaria for the purposes of tourism without a 14-day quarantine:
To sum it up, travelers that are coming from a country on that list and not via another ‘non-approved’ country, do not require to bring a PCR test.
Are There Any Tests/Quarantine Required For Other Countries?
These countries may enter if they have had a negative PCR test within the 72 hours prior to arrival:
On the other hand, all arrivals coming from Sweden and Portugal as well from all third-party countries other than those listed above, upon entering Bulgaria must present negative PCR test results, taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering the country. That is to say, citizens who do not provide such a document will be under a 14-day quarantine.
All tourists who are granted quarantine-free entry into Bulgaria should declare to the border health control authorities that they will comply with all anti-epidemic measures and that they are aware of the risks of COVID-19.
Other Entry Rules For Visiting Bulgaria
- Firstly, a face mask, scarf, or bandana is required in all enclosed public spaces
- Secondly, practicing social distancing of at least 1.5 metres in place
- Above all, masks must be worn on public transit at all times
What's Open in Bulgaria?
- Hotels and other accommodations
- Restaurants and cafes
- Night clubs and bars
- Museums, galleries, libraries, and theatres
- Shopping malls and markets
- Parks and gardens
- Gyms, spas, and wellness centers
Authorities have allowed most nonessential businesses to resume operations provided they comply with certain mandates aimed at preventing any spike in COVID-19 activity. Protective face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public spaces as well as the practice of social distancing.
Check Bulgaria on our live map.
Sources: Reopen Europa | Bulgaria Travel | Tourism Government of Bulgaria
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Information for Non-Tourists
Bulgaria currently allows citizens of the EU and the Schengen Area to enter the country. Additionally, all medical professionals, transport staff, foreign officials, seasonal workers, and persons traveling for humanitarian reasons are being granted entry regardless of their country of citizenship.
Moreover, EU and Schengen Area citizens traveling for humanitarian reasons or for trade, economic, and investment activities are exempt from Bulgaria's 14-day quarantine requirement, as are freight transporters, medical workers, foreign officials, and cross-border workers.
426,432
Cases18,229
Deaths61,880
Cases Per Million
Graph of COVID-19 Cases In Last 30 Days
For Bulgaria