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Bulgaria

Eastern Europe · Schengen area

Updated today
AI-generated
Avg. processing
15 days
Consular fee (from)
€90
Booking model
Online booking

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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 6Free
    Free
  • 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)Free
    Free
  • Researchers travelling for scientific researchFree
    Free

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 UK 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.

  • LondonEmbassy
    Embassy 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