A suitable passport
Check the issue date, expiry date and spare visa pages against the current official checklist. Use the same passport details on bookings and the application.
Bulgaria Visa from UK
Planning Sofia, a Black Sea break or a Bulgaria–Greece itinerary? Start with your passport nationality, then prepare the UK residence evidence and tourist documents for the official VFS application route.
Independent support, not an official visa application. Or use the quick form on this page.
- Short-stay Schengen visa
- Official submissions through VFS Global
- Reviewed September 2026
BulgariaUK residents · tourist visa guide
- VFS
official application routeThe London Consulate directs type C applications to its external provider.
- 90/180
one Schengen allowanceDays in Bulgaria count with your other Schengen visits.
- UK status
check before bookingResidence evidence and passport nationality serve different purposes.
Who needs a Bulgaria visa from the UK?
Living in Britain does not automatically make your passport visa-exempt. Check your nationality and any existing travel permission before starting a new application.
- 1
British citizens on a short holiday
British citizens can normally visit for permitted short stays without a visa, within the shared Schengen 90-days-in-180 limit. Work or a longer stay needs a separate assessment.
- 2
Residents with a visa-required passport
UK immigration permission is evidence that you live here; it is not a Bulgarian entry visa. Check whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa and whether an existing valid Schengen permission already covers the journey.
- 3
Bulgaria must be the correct destination
Apply through the country responsible for your main destination. For a straightforward holiday across several states, compare the length of stay; where stays are equal, the first Schengen entry normally decides.
Including Greece or another stop? Compare the relevant application guide:
Bulgaria tourist visa requirementsfor applications from the UK
Check the foundation of the application before paying for travel.
Evidence of lawful UK residence
The London tourism checklist requires UK permission lasting at least one month after the trip and accepts digital status evidence with a share code. A UK visitor visa is not accepted for this route.
A coherent Bulgaria itinerary
List each overnight stop and onward journey. Sofia, Plovdiv and the coast should fit the dates on your accommodation and transport evidence.
Traceable funds and support
Prepare statements showing normal account activity, your available balance and any documented sponsorship. Explain the source of funds rather than relying on a last-minute unexplained deposit.
Accommodation and return transport
Check the official tourism list for booking and payment requirements. The Consulate recommends considering refundable travel because a complete file does not guarantee approval.
Insurance for the whole journey
Use a policy that covers the full Schengen itinerary and required medical treatment and repatriation, with at least €30,000 cover.
Your Bulgaria tourist visa document file
Organise the file in checklist order. Keep names and dates consistent, and separate the core documents from evidence needed for your personal circumstances.
- Signed application form and recent passport photo
- Passport, identity-page copy and relevant visa copies
- UK residence evidence and digital share code where applicable
- Proof of UK address
- Recent bank statements showing account activity
- Employment, study, self-employment or pension evidence
- Accommodation and return or onward transport evidence
- Travel medical insurance certificate
- Sponsor evidence and relationship documents if supported
- Birth certificate, parental consent and custody evidence for minors
This is an organising checklist, not a substitute for the current official list. Private visits and business trips have their own supporting-document requirements.
How to apply for a Bulgaria visa
For a short-stay type C application, use the Bulgaria service on VFS Global. The Bulgarian authorities make the visa decision.
- 1Choose the correct category
Tourism, a private visit and business travel need different evidence. A course requiring a long stay belongs in the separate type D process.
- 2Check the checklist and booking route
Use the official Bulgaria service, check the available centres and confirm the submission window before choosing an appointment.
- 3Attend with the complete file
Follow the booking instructions for attendance, original documents, copies and biometrics. An appointment alone does not mean the visa will be issued.
- 4Track the application and check the result
Allow for additional questions or documents. When the passport returns, inspect the validity dates, permitted days and number of entries before travelling.
Want the Bulgaria file checked?
Share the trip basics and we can help organise the application before the official Bulgaria submission.
What you get from this enquiry
- We confirm which Schengen country you should apply to for your trip.
- We check your document list against the official requirements for your profile.
- We help you organise the application before your official appointment.
No payment is taken with this enquiry. If you want our help, we confirm the fee with you before any work starts.
Bulgaria visa processing time
Start planning before the departure date becomes urgent. Getting a submission slot and receiving a decision are separate stages.
AppointmentAvailability varies
Check live slots with VFS. An agency cannot promise consular approval or a particular visa duration.
15 daysnormal Schengen processing
The European Commission gives 15 days as the normal decision period; additional examination can extend it to 45 days.
Plan aheadConfirm the lodging window
General EU guidance allows lodging up to six months ahead, while Bulgaria’s UK pages still mention three months. Confirm current local acceptance before booking far in advance.
Allow time for appointment availability, document preparation and passport return as well as the decision. Avoid treating the normal period as a guaranteed deadline.
Bulgaria visa fees and separate charges
Check the visa fee separately from VFS charges and optional services. The UK-specific child exemption differs from the general Schengen fee table.
Standard adult short-stay feeCheck current GBP conversion before paying
€90Children under 12The London Consulate currently states a visa-fee exemption
ExemptVFS service chargeThe published UK fee page lists £29.70; reconfirm at booking
£29.70Optional servicesChoose only the services you need; these do not determine approval
SeparateNationality agreements and family circumstances can affect fees. Check the current category and payment instructions directly with VFS; published amounts may change.
Bulgaria visa submission in the UK
The published VFS UK guidance refers to London and satellite submissions in Manchester, Cardiff and Edinburgh. Confirm which locations and appointments are available in the live Bulgaria service.
This diagram illustrates the UK cities mentioned in published guidance. It does not show live appointments, flights or consular jurisdiction.
UK → BulgariaYour journey
London → SofiaIllustrative route · not a travel itinerary
Avoid these Bulgaria application mistakes
A useful application file answers the questions your actual trip raises.
- 01Treating Bulgaria as outside Schengen
Do not use an old guide to create a separate 90-day allowance. Count the trip together with your other Schengen travel.
- 02Confusing residence with nationality
Having a UK eVisa does not turn a visa-required passport into a British passport. Check both entry eligibility and residence evidence.
- 03Choosing a country only because a slot is available
Keep the application destination aligned with the real itinerary. Do not change the paperwork to describe a holiday you do not intend to take.
- 04Mixing holiday and long-stay study rules
A tourist checklist does not cover moving to Bulgaria for a degree. Follow the separate official student or long-stay instructions.
- 05Assuming payment guarantees a visa
Document preparation, paid bookings and an appointment cannot guarantee the outcome. Read cancellation terms before committing to travel.
Bulgaria visa from UK FAQs
Quick answers about eligibility, appointments and planning a Schengen trip.
Do British citizens need a tourist visa for Bulgaria?
Normally no for permitted short visits within the shared Schengen 90/180-day allowance. Check GOV.UK entry guidance for your passport and travel purpose.
Can a UK eVisa replace a Bulgaria visa?
No. UK immigration status establishes your permission to live in the UK. Your passport nationality and any other qualifying travel permission determine whether you need a Schengen visa.
Can I use an existing Schengen visa for Bulgaria?
A valid uniform Schengen visa may cover Bulgaria. Check its territorial validity, dates, remaining entries and permitted days against the whole itinerary before assuming another application is needed.
Does Bulgaria count towards my Schengen days?
Yes. Your Bulgaria visit uses the same short-stay allowance as time in other Schengen countries; crossing into Greece does not restart it.
Where should I book a Bulgaria visa appointment?
Use the official VFS Global Bulgaria service for the UK and select the appropriate type C category. Check available locations and follow the booking instructions there.
Can I apply while visiting the UK?
The published UK tourism checklist does not accept a UK C-type visitor visa as residence evidence. Applicants normally use the country where they legally reside.
Is a Bulgaria student visa the same as a tourist visa?
No. A long-stay study application has a separate route and evidence requirements. Follow the Consulate’s student visa instructions rather than a short-stay tourism checklist.
Can you guarantee an appointment or approval?
No. Availability belongs to the official booking service and the Bulgarian authorities decide the application. This independent guide does not sell official appointments.
EXPLORE · Bulgaria
A Bulgaria trip with a clear itinerary.
Sofia, historic streets, mountain landscapes and the Black Sea: use your actual overnight stops to organise the application. Original illustrations below.
Start with the official Bulgaria checklist
Confirm eligibility, choose the correct visa category and prepare the evidence around the trip you really plan to take.
Official sources and checks
Last reviewed . Check current instructions before booking or paying.
Reviewed by Abraham and Tina Zad, 8 years of visa support experience.
How we research, review and correct our guides · Corrections log
UK to Schengen Visa is an independent information and support website, not the Bulgarian government, the Bulgarian Embassy or Consulate, or VFS Global. We do not issue visas or control appointments and decisions. Confirm current documents, fees and local submission instructions with the official provider before applying.
