How much does a Bulgaria family visit visa cost?

For a Bulgaria family visit visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Adult (standard) — €90; Child 6–11 — free; Child under 6 — free; Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen — free; School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip) — free; Researchers travelling for scientific research — free. Fees per the Bulgarian MFA consular tariff (mfa.bg). Paid at the consulate; not refunded if the visa is refused. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.

How long does a Bulgaria family visit visa take to process?

A decision on a Bulgaria family visit visa typically takes around 15 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

What documents are required for a Bulgaria family visit visa?

The Bulgaria consular network lists: 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; Invitation letter from the host family member (often on an official form); Proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — apostilled and translated where required); Copy of the host's passport / ID / residence permit; Proof of the host's legal residence and accommodation; Proof of the host's income or a formal sponsorship/guarantee document. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a Bulgaria family visit visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 1 submission point in the UK for Bulgaria, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

Bulgaria family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Bulgaria family visit visa — used for visiting relatives or a partner, including family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Bulgaria consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€90

Typical decision

15 days

Appointments

Online booking

Where to apply for a Bulgaria family visit visa

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.

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
Invitation letter from the host family member (often on an official form)
Proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — apostilled and translated where required)
Copy of the host's passport / ID / residence permit
Proof of the host's legal residence and accommodation
Proof of the host's income or a formal sponsorship/guarantee document

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

Adult (standard)€90
Child 6–11Free— Bulgaria's MFA fee tariff exempts children aged 6 to under 12 from the visa fee.
Child under 6Free
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.
School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip)Free
Researchers travelling for scientific researchFree

Fees per the Bulgarian MFA consular tariff (mfa.bg). Paid at the consulate; not refunded if the visa is refused.

Booking an appointment

Slots are booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online. Attendance is in person for biometrics; there is no postal route for visas.

Practical 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.

What is unusual about the Bulgaria process

No outsourced visa centre in the UK: every applicant attends the London consulate in person, and slots can be scarce in summer.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — 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.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Bulgaria consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bulgaria family visit visa cost?: For a Bulgaria family visit visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Adult (standard) — €90; Child 6–11 — free; Child under 6 — free; Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen — free; School pupils, students and accompanying teachers (study trip) — free; Researchers travelling for scientific research — free. Fees per the Bulgarian MFA consular tariff (mfa.bg). Paid at the consulate; not refunded if the visa is refused. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Bulgaria family visit visa take to process?: A decision on a Bulgaria family visit visa typically takes around 15 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Bulgaria family visit visa?: 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. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Bulgaria family visit visa?: The Bulgaria consular network lists: 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; Invitation letter from the host family member (often on an official form); Proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — apostilled and translated where required); Copy of the host's passport / ID / residence permit; Proof of the host's legal residence and accommodation; Proof of the host's income or a formal sponsorship/guarantee document. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Bulgaria family visit visa?: Appointment model: Online booking. Slots are booked online at bgconsullondon.co.uk/book-online. Attendance is in person for biometrics; there is no postal route for visas.
Can I apply for a Bulgaria family visit visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 1 submission point in the UK for Bulgaria, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

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🇧🇬 Bulgaria family visit visa: requirements, fee and processing time