Bulgaria
Eastern Europe · Schengen area
My checklist
Tailored for Bulgaria · Tourist (Schengen C)
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll build a personalised document checklist you can tick off as you gather everything.
Fees & exemptions
- Adult (standard)€90
- Child 6–11Free
Bulgaria's MFA fee tariff exempts children aged 6 to under 12 from the visa fee.
Free - Child under 6FreeFree
- Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizenFree
Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of the relationship and of the EU citizen exercising free-movement rights.
Free - School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip)FreeFree
- Researchers travelling for scientific researchFreeFree
Fees per the Bulgarian MFA consular tariff (mfa.bg). Paid at the consulate; not refunded if the visa is refused.
Where to apply
Consular Section, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, 186-188 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HL. Bulgaria handles UK applications itself — there is no VFS/TLScontact centre.
Appointment system
Slots are booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online. Attendance is in person for biometrics; there is no postal route for visas.
Required documents
- Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages)
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard)
- Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip
- Round-trip flight reservation / detailed itinerary
- Proof of accommodation for every night (hotel bookings or invitation)
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, usually last 3–6 months)
- Proof of employment / studies (employer letter, payslips, student letter)
- Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit)
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment
Editor tips
Bulgaria has applied the full Schengen acquis since 1 January 2025, so a Bulgarian short-stay visa is a uniform Schengen visa. British citizens do not need a short-stay visa at all — this route matters mainly for non-British nationals living in the UK, who must show their UK immigration status.
Country-specific quirks
No outsourced visa centre in the UK: every applicant attends the London consulate in person, and slots can be scarce in summer.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for Bulgaria are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence — you cannot normally apply in a country you are only visiting.
- If you are not a citizen of the country you apply from, bring your residence permit or long-stay visa — it usually has to stay valid for at least 3 months after your return.
- Visiting several Schengen countries? Apply to your main destination, or — if you split time evenly — to the country you enter first.
- Some passports are visa-exempt for short stays and only need ETIAS travel authorisation instead of a visa; long-stay and work permits are still required for everyone.
- Fees, document lists and appointment systems are set per consulate, so the local Bulgaria mission for your region always overrides anything on this page.
Where to submit if you apply from the UK
Addresses where applicants of any nationality living in the United Kingdom hand in Bulgaria visa documents and give biometrics. Applying from elsewhere? Use the official links below to find the Bulgaria mission covering your country of residence.
- LondonEmbassyEmbassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
186-188 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HL
All Bulgarian visa categories; appointment booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online.
Official page
Always cross-check requirements on the official page for your jurisdiction — details can vary by country of residence.
Where to apply
Consular Section, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, 186-188 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HL. Bulgaria handles UK applications itself — there is no VFS/TLScontact centre.
Appointment system
Slots are booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online. Attendance is in person for biometrics; there is no postal route for visas.
Who can apply where
Your nationality decides whether you need a visa; where you legally live decides where you apply. Applications for Bulgaria are handled by its embassy, consulate or visa centre covering your country of residence.
Applicants of any nationality living in the United Kingdom hand in Bulgaria visa documents and give biometrics at these addresses.
- LondonEmbassyEmbassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
186-188 Queen's Gate, London SW7 5HL
All Bulgarian visa categories; appointment booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online.
Official page
Book your travel to use for supporting documents for Bulgaria
Most consulates ask for a flight itinerary and confirmed accommodation. Search Sofia and attach the confirmations to your application.
Advertising disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never affects which options we list or how we describe them.