Data Last Updated: February 21, 2021
General Information
Bulgaria has reopened its borders to tourists, allowing travelers from the EEA to enter.
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 Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Albania, Moldova, Israel, and other third countries must present a negative Covid-19 test and sign a health declaration.
Bulgarian authorities imposed an emergency travel ban on all arrivals from the U.K. and Northern Ireland. This was put in place on 23 December and will stay in place until 30 April.
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
Test Required For Tourists From:
23 Countries
Albania
Australia
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada
Georgia
Israel
Japan
Kosovo
Kuwait
Macedonia
Moldova
Montenegro
New Zealand
Rwanda
Serbia
South Korea
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Not Allowing Tourists From:
221 Countries
Afghanistan
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Monaco
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Congo
Réunion
Romania
Russia
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos
Tuvalu
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
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.
390,911
Cases15,518
Deaths56,601
Cases Per Million
Graph of COVID-19 Cases In Last 30 Days
For Bulgaria