Bulgaria entry requirements for Ukraine passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Ukrainians can visit Bulgaria without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers tourism, business meetings, and family visits. As of 2026, the rules haven't changed — just ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of your stay | Your passport must be valid for the entire period you plan to stay in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is part of the Schengen zone, so your 90-day visa-free stay counts against the 90/180-day Schengen limit — not per country. Airlines at check-in will verify your passport validity matches your travel dates. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Bulgaria or Schengen zone | Immigration officers at Sofia Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within 90 days. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air check this at check-in too. Have a printed or digital copy ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Border officers may ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. A hotel confirmation or a letter from a host with their address is enough. Keep a copy on your phone or printed. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Bulgaria does not have a fixed minimum amount, but officers expect you to show cash, cards, or bank statements covering accommodation and daily expenses. Around €50–100 per day is a safe benchmark. Have a recent bank statement or credit card handy. | Recommended |
90-day limit applies to the whole Schengen area
Bulgaria is not yet a full Schengen member, but the 90/180-day rule still applies. Days spent in Bulgaria count toward the same 90-day limit as other Schengen countries. Keep track of all your stays in the EU.
No visa needed, but have documents ready
You don't need a visa, but border control can ask for proof of onward travel, accommodation, and sufficient funds. A printed or digital copy of your return ticket and hotel booking is enough.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Bulgarian border control
At Sofia Airport or any land border, join the 'All Passports' queue. Have your passport ready, and be prepared to show your return ticket and accommodation booking if asked.
2
Present your passport
Hand over your passport. The officer will check your validity, stamp the entry, and note your allowed stay (usually 90 days). This takes 1-2 minutes.
3
Answer any questions
You may be asked about the purpose of your visit, how long you're staying, and where you're staying. Answer honestly and briefly. Have your accommodation address handy.
4
Collect your passport and proceed
Once stamped, you're free to enter. Keep the entry stamp visible — you'll need it when leaving to prove you didn't overstay.
Download Bulgaria Entry Checklist
PDF · Ukraine Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For longer stays beyond visa-free period.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost€120 (~$130 USD)
Ideal for frequent travellers.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€100 (~$109 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification.
work visa
Bulgarian Work Visa (D Visa)
1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Bulgaria. Requires a work permit from the Employment Agency. Allows residence and work.
student visa
Bulgarian Student Visa (D Visa)
1 year, renewable annually
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For enrollment in a Bulgarian educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
investor visa
Bulgarian Investor Visa
1 year, renewable
€500 (~$545 USD) application fee
For investors with a minimum investment of BGN 1,000,000 (~€511,000) in Bulgarian business or government bonds. Leads to permanent residence.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays longer than 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period. | €120 (~$130 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of €500 (~$540 USD). | €50 (~$54 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Bulgaria
No transit visa needed
Ukraine passport holders do not need a transit visa for airside transit through Bulgarian airports, as they are visa-free for short stays.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsSofia Airport (SOF) · Burgas Airport (BOJ) · Varna Airport (VAR)
Health & vaccines for Bulgaria
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk
Risk in forested areas, especially in spring and summer. Consider vaccination if hiking.
Lyme diseaseModerate risk
Transmitted by ticks in rural areas. Use repellent and check for ticks.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene precautions recommended; tap water is generally safe in cities.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Sofia
Migration Directorate Sofia
ul. 'Knyaz Boris I' 136, 1000 Sofia
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.
Plovdiv
Migration Directorate Plovdiv
bul. 'Bulgaria' 236, 4000 Plovdiv
Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
Handles immigration matters for southern Bulgaria.
Practical information for UA travellers
Country basics
CapitalSofia
LanguageBulgarian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 6 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyBulgarian Lev (BGN)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 1.68 BGN
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h
vs Los Angeles+10h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C (Europlug) and Type F (Schuko) plugs are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities, but bottled water is recommended in rural areas.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, family visits, and short-term study. If you plan to work (paid or unpaid), you need a work visa or residence permit.
No, the 90-day visa-free period cannot be extended. You must leave Bulgaria or the Schengen area before the 90 days are up. Overstaying can result in fines of 100-500 BGN or a re-entry ban.
No, Ukrainians do not need a transit visa for Bulgaria. You can stay in the international transit area without passing through border control. If you need to leave the airport, you'll need a visa or visa-free entry.
Border officials may deny entry. It's best to renew your passport before traveling. If you're already in Bulgaria and your passport expires, contact the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia for assistance.
No, for stays under 90 days, registration is not required. If you stay longer with a visa, you must register within 7 days of arrival.
Yes, as long as it's valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. However, some border officials may be less familiar with temporary documents — carry a copy of your internal passport as backup.
You may face a fine of 100-500 BGN, deportation, and a re-entry ban. Always track your days carefully — use a calendar or app to count from your entry stamp.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.