ETIAS VISA WAIVER FOR BULGARIA

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Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and is preparing to join the Schengen Zone. While Bulgaria has not yet completely implemented the Schengen accord, travellers will be subject to the ETIAS rule.

This implies that non-European citizens travelling to Bulgaria without a visa will be required to register with the European Travel Authorisation and Information System.

The ETIAS will improve border administration and security in Bulgaria and throughout the Schengen Area. All non-EU tourists, even those who do not require a visa, will be inspected before entering the country.

Bulgaria

Capital City: Sofia
Official language: Bulgarian
Currency: Bulgarian lev BGN
Population: 6.84 million
EU member state since: 1st January 2007

BULGARIA IN EUROPE: GEOGRAPHY AND BORDERING COUNTRIES

Bulgaria is a southeastern European nation with a land area of 42,855 square miles.

Bulgaria has one of Europe’s lowest populations, with a population of roughly 7 million people. The majority of Bulgarians speak Bulgarian as their first language; a lesser percentage speak Turkish or Romani as their first language.

Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and largest city; other notable cities include Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas.

COUNTRIES THAT SHARE A BORDER WITH BULGARIA

Bulgaria’s neighbouring nations are as follows:

  • Romania to the north
  • Serbia to the west
  • Macedonia to the west
  • Greece to the south
  • Turkey to the south

Bulgaria also has an eastern boundary with the Black Sea.

Travelers with a granted ETIAS visa waiver for Bulgaria will also be eligible to visit Romania and Greece. ETIAS is applicable to all Schengen nations as well as those in the process of joining (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania).

BULGARIA IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE SCHENGEN AREA

Since January 1, 2007, Bulgaria has been a member of the European Union. Bulgaria’s currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN), although it has pledged to adopting the euro whenever it passes the standards.

Bulgaria has 17 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Bulgarian government representatives attend EU council meetings on a regular basis. Bulgaria presided over the EU Council from January to June of 2018.

Bulgaria is preparing to join the Schengen Area and will eliminate internal borders with other countries. Even before Bulgaria becomes a full Schengen member, visa-free travellers will require ETIAS.

VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR BULGARIA

Although not completely implemented, Bulgaria’s visa policy is based on the Schengen acquis.

Because of Europe’s visa restrictions for Bulgaria, EU nationals do not require a visa. Other European passport holders do not require a visa to enter, reside, or work in Bulgaria.

Non-EU nationals must have a visa or an ETIAS visa waiver to enter Bulgaria.

DO I NEED A VISA TO VISIT BULGARIA?

Bulgaria follows the same visa-free regime as the Schengen Area. This implies that travellers from countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Travelers from other nations can enter Bulgaria for up to three months with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. They do not need to apply for a Bulgarian short-stay visa.

Visitors who do not have a Schengen visa must get a Bulgarian national visa. This is only valid in Bulgaria; the bearer does not have the right to enter the Schengen Area.

WHICH TRAVELLERS WILL NEED ETIAS FOR BULGARIA?

Non-EU citizens from visa-free countries will soon be required to apply for ETIAS in Bulgaria. The ETIAS rule applies to all existing Schengen countries, as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

Bulgaria does not require an ETIAS visa. Eligible travellers will still be able to enter without a visa, but they must register for ETIAS online before departure.

TRAVELLING TO BULGARIA WITH ETIAS

ETIAS allows travellers to visit Bulgaria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The visa waiver allows holders to visit Bulgaria many times with the same authorization.

A Bulgarian ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years, or until the passport used to apply expires (whichever is sooner).

ETIAS allows for tourism, business, and transportation. Before travelling on vacation or attending conferences or other activities in Bulgaria, visa-exempt tourists must register online.

Travelers possessing an ETIAS for Bulgaria can visit any Schengen nation, Croatia, Cyprus, or Romania without the need for extra permissions. Bulgaria’s nearest ETIAS neighbours are Romania and Greece.

DO I NEED MEDICAL INSURANCE TO TRAVEL TO BULGARIA?

Travelers to Bulgaria may need to purchase medical insurance. This is determined by their nationality and the sort of admission permission they have.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR ETIAS BULGARIA

It is not necessary to have health insurance to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver for Bulgaria. Applicants just need a valid passport from a nation that qualifies. It is, nonetheless, advisable to obtain medical insurance before travelling to Bulgaria or any other foreign country.

HEALTH INSURANCE FOR BULGARIAN VISAS

Travelers holding a multiple-entry Schengen visa must have medical insurance in order to visit Bulgaria. Applicants for a Schengen visa must provide proof of at least €30,000 in health insurance.

Medical insurance may also be required for Bulgarian national visa applications. Applicants for visas should examine the particular conditions.

BULGARIA PORTS OF ENTRY WITH ETIAS

ETIAS will be accepted at Bulgaria’s international airports, seaports, and land borders.

Sofia Airport (SOF) is the principal international airport in Bulgaria and one of the largest in Eastern Europe. Flights to Sofia arrive from all around Europe and the rest of the world.

Burgas International Airport on the Black Sea Coast, for example, serves international destinations such as Greece and Turkey.

Bulgaria has international train connections to Romania, Hungary, Greece, and Turkey. Alternatively, motorists with a visa can drive to Bulgaria from neighbouring ETIAS nations Romania and Greece.

TOURIST INFORMATION ABOUT BULGARIA

Tourists may go to Bulgaria on vacation with ETIAS. The travel authorization includes leisure activities such as sightseeing and visiting friends and family.

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the most visited city. The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a must-see for visitors. In addition, there are various museums and other cultural attractions.

Plovdiv, a mediaeval town with fortifications, amphitheatres, and cobblestone lanes, is another site to visit in Bulgaria. Bansko is a prominent Bulgarian winter resort, with good skiing and other mountain sports.

Beach vacations are also available in Bulgaria. Burgas, Nesebar, Sozopol, and Varna are among the Black Sea coastal towns.

EUROPE’S ETIAS VISA WAIVER FOR BULGARIA

ETIAS for Europe will be operational from November 2023.

Non-EU citizens who do not have a visa must apply for ETIAS in order to go to Bulgaria. The electronic application is entirely online and just takes a few minutes to complete.

Applicants must fill out the ETIAS Bulgaria form with personal information and passport information. This data is automatically validated against Schengen security systems.

The majority of ETIAS applications for Bulgaria will be rapidly processed and granted. After approval, the ETIAS is electronically connected to the passport and you are ready to travel Bulgaria.

ETIAS FOR BULGARIA FAQS

Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Area, although it is in the process of becoming one. Despite not being a full member, Bulgaria’s visa policy is modelled on the Schengen zone.

This implies that nationals of various non-EU countries can visit Bulgaria without a visa for a limited period of time. Travelers will be able to get ETIAS to visit Bulgaria visa-free beginning in late 2023.

The EU visa waiver regulation also applies to countries in the process of joining the Schengen Area: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

The paperwork needed to go to Bulgaria are determined on your nationality.

Citizens of the rest of the EU can visit Bulgaria with a valid passport or ID card.

If you are a non-EU citizen from a visa-exempt nation, you will require a valid passport and, beginning in late 2023, ETIAS. Brazil, Canada, and the United Kingdom are among the nations that do not require a visa.

Bulgaria does not issue Schengen visas, although Schengen visa holders are permitted to enter and stay in Bulgaria for up to 90 days without the need for an additional Bulgarian visa. Holders of valid Croatian, Cyprus, and Romanian visas and residency permits can also stay for up to 90 days.

If none of the following apply, you must get a Bulgarian national visa for your travel.

Bulgaria shares land borders with Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. ETIAS will be valid for travel to Romania, which is also preparing to join Schengen. To go to other surrounding countries, you must first verify the visa requirements.

Bulgaria is well connected to other EU and Schengen nations. There are flights to countries across Europe including Greece, Hungary, and Italy.

Travellers with ETIAS will be allowed to utilise the same authorization to visit any Schengen countries as well as Bulgaria for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.