bulgaria fco travel advice

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Practical information for tourists – COVID-19

Updated information

(Updated on April 14, 2022)

Messages from the Ministry of Tourism:

Updated information for travelers on entry to Bulgaria

Recommendations of anti-epidemic measures in tourist sites & activities for winter season 2021/2022, covid-19 health travel protocol.

Guidelines for the functioning of accommodation establishments and food and entertainment establishments in the conditions of danger of COVID-19 infection in Bulgaria – (Version 17)

Useful links

Wearing a mask is not mandatory in open public places.

All persons, are obliged to wear a protective face mask for single or multiple use  in public settings such as public transport, pharmacies and medical establishments. The measures for disinfection and observance of physical distance are preserved.

All operating establishments can now receive visitors in compliance with the Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism for the operation of accommodation establishments and food and entertainment establishments in the conditions of danger of COVID-19 infection in Bulgaria. The accommodation establishments are ready for normal functioning of and have taken the necessary anti-epidemic measures of the Ministry of Health to operate in the conditions of COVID-19. An individual plan for its operation is required for each establishment in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of the national and regional public health authorities to limit the Coronavirus infection. All accommodation establishments operate in strict compliance with the requirements, which include specific measures to protect the health of tourists with high hygiene.

Yes, public transport operates normally, with no limit on the capacity of vehicles and/or trains, but it is mandatory to wear personal protective equipment.

The use of masks is mandatory when traveling by taxi, bus, train and other public transport.

There are no restrictions on travel within the country. The rules for social distancing and the use of a protective mask should be observed where indicated. Wearing protective masks is mandatory in closed public areas.

Yes. Restaurants and bars are open (indoor and outdoor areas), following several rules of hygiene and social distance. The tables are placed in such a way as to create a safe distance (1.5 m) between the customers. Personal protective equipment (masks, safety helmets and gloves) is mandatory for staff only.

Yes, tourist attractions such as cultural monuments, museums, zoos, aquariums and other tourist attractions are open to visitors as the rules of social distance should be observed and protective masks should be worn.

Yes, depending on the size of the space, different places, such as libraries, shops and supermarkets, allow only a small number of people to enter each time. In pharmacies, healthcare facilities and public transport protective masks should be worn.

The declared measures may be updated according to the development and the spread of COVID-19.

Concerts and cultural events should be held in open and/or indoor areas with reduced capacity to ensure a safe distance between spectators. The use of protective masks and disinfectants is recommended.

Parks are open; individual outdoor sports as well as swimming in the sea are allowed. It is recommended that people keep the distance and follow the safety rules. The distance between the umbrellas is a distance of required 2 m.

The use of balneological (medical SPA), SPA and wellness centers, as well as visits to swimming pools, including pools with mineral water, is allowed, but in strict compliance with hygiene requirements and distance between visitors.

When using fitness centers, physical distance between people doing sports should be guaranteed.

Shopping centers and retail establishments are open. It is recommended that visitors keep the distance and follow the safety rules.

Users and staff are advised to use protective masks and disinfectants.

When using elevators, in case there is no other alternative, the elevator is used with reduced capacity. Customers should keep a distance of 1.5 m between them.

As per a statement from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Bulgaria is part of the tourism destinations with safety and hygiene travel stamp.

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Bulgaria entry requirements: Travel restrictions and if you can go on holiday to the UK green list destination

Bulgaria has been added to the uk's green list, meaning people can travel there without having to quarantine upon their return.

Bulgaria has been added to the UK’s green list , meaning people can travel there without having to quarantine upon their return .

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the move during a travel review on 14 July and it will come into effect from 4am on Monday 19 July.

Bulgaria and Croatia are the most popular holiday destinations on the green list, after Spain’s Balearic Islands were removed .

Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Bulgaria.

Bulgaria entry requirements

Bulgaria has its own traffic light system, and the UK is on its orange list.

This means, to enter Bulgaria, UK travellers must present evidence of one of the following:

• Full vaccination (second dose must have been received at least 14 days prior to travel)
• A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entry to Bulgaria
• A negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of entry to Bulgaria
• A document showing a positive result from a PCR or rapid antigen test for people who have recovered from Covid-19, which must be dated at least 11, but no more than 180 days before arrival

The Bulgarian authorities have stated that only the letter version of the NHS Covid Pass is acceptable as evidence of vaccination. The digital app, or a print-out of the app version, does not meet their requirements.

Children under 12 are exempt from the requirement to present Covid-19 documents.

Upon arrival to Bulgaria, at least 5 per cent of all arrivals from orange zone countries will be tested with a rapid antigen test at random. If you test positive, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Bulgaria Covid cases

Bulgaria’s Covid cases have been low since May. On Wednesday 14 July it recorded just 84 new infections.

Its seven-day infection rate is five per 100,000 people, and is continuing to decline.

It has administered 1.85 million doses of the vaccine, with 12 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

Are things open in Bulgaria?

Holiday accommodation, bars, restaurants and cafes are all open in Bulgaria, and you can use public transport.

Face masks are required in enclosed indoor public spaces.

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Bulgaria Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Bulgaria

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Bulgaria entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Bulgaria from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bulgaria.

Can I travel to Bulgaria if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Bulgaria without restrictions.

Can I travel to Bulgaria without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Bulgaria without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Bulgaria?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Bulgaria.

Can I travel to Bulgaria without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Bulgaria?

Mask usage in Bulgaria is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Bulgaria?

Restaurants in Bulgaria are open. Bars in Bulgaria are .

Entry regulations

Find all entry regulations for flights to Bulgaria in the following table*.

Prior to Travel

The Federal Foreign Office points out that in view of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there are still risks associated with international travel, especially for people without full vaccination protection as well as vulnerable groups. Regulations on entry or international transport connections can change quickly with the pandemic situation.

The so called "3G rule" is lifted when entering Germany, there is a recommendation to wear a mask at some airports.

Prior to Entry

There are no COVID-19-related entry restrictions (e.g. border closures, mandatory proof of testing and vaccination) in force at this time.

There are no COVID-19-related mandatory entry forms or online registrations to be completed before travel at this time.

There are no known restrictions

Foreign nationals are allowed to transit without restrictions.

All land border crossings are open.

Children and minors are not generally exempt in case testing requirements apply.

Proof of a negative test result is no longer required to enter Bulgaria.

Quarantine requirements have been lifted.

Proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter Bulgaria.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for completely immunized persons.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for incompletely vaccinated persons.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for those who have recovered.

Proof of recovery is no longer required to enter Bulgaria.

There is no ease of restrictions.

COVID-19 related documentary proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result is not currently required.

Current value: 3. Previous week: 2 Data source: Our World in Data / European Center for Disease Control. The data is only available at country level and is updated daily.

COVID-19-related travel restrictions are not currently in place.

The mask mandate was lifted, contact restrictions no longer apply and social distancing of 1.5 metres is no longer required.

Shops and businesses are open.

Hospitality venues and bars are open without restrictions.

Hotels are open.

Events may take place without capacity restrictions or other precautionary measures.

Sports, cultural and entertainment venues are open without restrictions.

Public transport in Bulgaria has resumed normal operations. Face masks are no longer mandatory.

Both international and domestic air traffic has resumed normal operations.

If travellers test positive for COVID-19 during their stay, they are required to self-isolate for seven days. Individuals having had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases must isolate for five days. Leaving Bulgaria is not permitted while isolating. Exemptions are in place for fully vaccinated individuals and for those who - within the previous 90 days - have received their booster dose and who can additionally present a negative test result.

Write to us

[email protected]

Ministry of tourism 1, Saborna St., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria UIC: 176789478 VAT: BG176789478

phone : +359 2 904 6809

UPDATED INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS ON ENTRY TO BULGARIA

From August 4 th , 2021 to August 31 st , 2021 on the basis of Order No. Rd-01-645/28.07.2021 , amendmented  of Order No. Rd-01-673/02.08.2021  of the Minister of Health for tourism purposes in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria tourists are allowed through the following border checkpoints:

• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Burgas Airport“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Varna Airport“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Plovdiv Airport“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Sofia Airport“ (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2);
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Port of Burgas“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Port of Varna“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Vidin“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Vrashka chuka“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Durankulak“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Gyueshevo“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Ilinden“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Kalotina“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Kapitan Andreevo“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Kapitan Petko voyvoda“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Kulata“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Lesovo“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Makaza“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Malko Tarnovo“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Oryahovo“;
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Russe“ 
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Stanke Lisichkovo“
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Somovit-Nikopol“
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Oltomantsi“
• BORDER CHECKPOINT „Zlatarevo“
• BORDER CHECKPOINT “Stezimirovtsi”

Entry is based on an assessment of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the respective countries by criteria and placement of the countries in color zones. 

Criteria for assessing the prevalence of COVID - 19 are:

• 14-day morbidity;
• weekly positivity of the performed laboratory tests;
• level of examination in the country;
• identification of a variant of SARS-CoV-2 identified as a “worrying” variant;
• lack of sufficient information.

The color zones are as follows:

• Green zone;
• Orange zone;

Persons arriving by colour zones from the countries in the Republic of Bulgaria

Countries in the Green Zone

Persons are admitted to the territory of the country upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing, or a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate. In case of failure to provide such, the person shall be quarantined for 10 days in the home or other accommodation where he / she has indicated that he / she will reside, with a prescription issued by the director of the respective regional health inspectorate or his / her authorized Deputy Director. The quarantine may be revoked by providing by e-mail a document showing a negative result of a polymerase chain reaction test for the detection of COVID-19 carried out within 24 hours of entry into the territory of the country or by a rapid antigen test specified in Annex No. 2 of the Order. The prescription shall be revoked within 24 hours from the presentation of the document showing a negative result from the conducted examination.

Countries in the Orange Zone:

• Persons are admitted to the territory of the country only upon presentation of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination, disease or testing, or a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate. A study of COVID-19 with a rapid antigen test is performed in at least 5 percent of the total entrants from orange zone countries.

Countries in the Red Zone:

• Only persons who are citizens of the EU, the EEA and the  Confederation of Switzerland and members of their families who come from an EU Member State, the EEA and the Confederation of Switzerland are allowed on the territory of the country . The persons are allowed on the territory of the country upon presentation of a valid digital EU COVID certificate for vaccination, or certificate of recovery or a similar document together with a  negative result from a test conducted up to 72 hours before entering the country by the method of polymerase chain reaction for COVID 19, certified by a valid EU digital COVID certificate for testing or a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate for testing.   If they do not present the certificate, they are allowed to enter in Bulgaria after presenting a negative result from a test conducted up to 72 hours before entering the country by the method of polymerase chain reaction for COVID-19, certified by a valid EU digital COVID certificate for testing or a  similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID certificate for testing and they shall be quarantined for a period of 10 days at home or in another place of accommodation, in which the person has indicated that he or she will reside

All countries, outside the European Union and the European Economic Area and the Confederation of Switzerland, which do not fall into the red zone, are considered to be orange zone countries.

INPORTANT INFORMATION:

Children from the age of 12 to 18 who arrive on the territory of the country from a country falling into the red zone are allowed upon presentation of a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction test for COVID-19 conducted up to 72 hours before entering the country, certified by a valid EU digital COVID test certificate or a similar document containing the same data as the EU digital COVID test certificate. I f  they do not present such a document, they shall be placed under quarantine for a period of 10 days .

Children up to the age of 12 do not need to submit COVID-19 documents, regardless of the zone in which the country from which they arrive falls in.

Persons arriving from countries with which the Republic of Bulgaria has reached an agreement on reciprocal basis for the free movement of their citizens and persons with the status of permanent, long-term or continuous residence and their family members, upon arrival from the other country do not need to submit documents for COVID-19. At the moment, these are Romania

List of countries according to Annex No. 1, to items I, 3 of Order № RD-01-645/28.07.2021 of the Minister of Health

Green Zone:

• The Republic of Austria;
• The Federal Republic of Germany;
• The Republic of Estonia;
• The Republic of Lithuania;
• The Republic of Poland;
• The Slovak Republic;
• The Republic of Finland;
• The Republic of Croatia;
• The Kingdom of Denmark;
• The Italian Republic;
• The Republic of Slovenia;
• The Kingdom of Norway;
• The Republic of San Marino;
• The Vatican City State;
• The Confederation of Switzerland;
• The Czech Republic;
• Тhe Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Orange Zone: 

All countries outside the green and red zone

• The Republic of India;
• The People's Republic of Bangladesh;
• The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal;
• The Republic of the Union of Myanmar;
• The Kingdom of Bhutan;
• The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka;
• The Republic of Maldives;
• The Republic of South Africa;
• The Republic of Botswana;
• The United Republic of Tanzania;
• The Republic of Seychelles;
• The Republic of Namibia;
• The Republic of Zambia;
• The Sultanate of Oman;
• The Republic of Turkmenistan;
• The Republic of Tajikistan;
• The Kyrgyz Republic;
• The Republic of Colombia;
• The Republic of Chile;
• The Eastern Republic of Uruguay;
• The Argentine Republic;
• The Federative Republic of Brazil;
• The Republic of Paraguay;
• The Plurinational State of Bolivia;
• The Republic of Peru;
• The Republic of Suriname;
• The Republic of Panama;
• The Republic of Costa Rica;
• The Republic of Guatemala;
• The Republic of El Salvador;
• The Republic of Cuba;
• The Dominican Republic;
• The Kingdom of Spain;
• The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
• The Republic of Fiji;
• The Republic of Cyprus;
• The Republic of Malta;
• The Principality of Andorra;
• The Principality of Monaco.

Countries with which the Republic of Bulgaria has reached an agreement on free passage on a reciprocal basis of their citizens and persons with the status of permanent,

long-term or continuous residence and members of their families, on arrival from the  other country:

The list is subject to update and supplementation depending on the development of the epidemic situation.

Information by country from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in connection with the travel conditions at COVID-19 - https://www.mfa.bg/en/customnews/main/24737

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