COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Bulgaria (19 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and official residents and their families are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Authorities have divided all countries into three zones: Green, Orange, and Red. All travellers from the Green and Orange list countries are allowed to enter the country. Only in some exceptional cases are travellers from Red list countries allowed to enter. A list of exceptional cases can be accessed here.

• All citizens and residents of Romania are allowed to enter Bulgaria without restrictions. These travellers will not need a test certificate or vaccine certificate and will not have a quarantine requirement.

• Entry restrictions have been extended until 31 July 2021.

• More details can be found in this link.

Is transit allowed through the country?

• Yes with exceptions

• Transit through Bulgaria is allowed for travellers who are exempt from the entry ban and whose immediate departure from Bulgaria can be guaranteed.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers from Orange list countries (from EU and EEA Member States and the Swiss Confederation) may be required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test on arrival.

Test certificate required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All citizens and residents of Romania are allowed to enter Bulgaria without a test certificate or vaccine certificate and will not have a quarantine requirement.

• Travellers from Green, Orange, and approved travellers from Red list countries need to present 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.

• Foreigners arriving from the Russian Federation and Portugal need to present a valid EU digital COVID certificate for testing or a similar document showing a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test conducted up to 72 hours before entry into the country. However, Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent or long-term residence on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and the members of their families who do not present the necessary documents for entry will be subject to a 10-day quarantine after arrival in the country. The requirement to enter quarantine may be revoked if a negative result is obtained from a PCR test or an rapid antigen test for COVID-19 up to 24 hours after entry into the country.

• More details can be found in this link.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• All travellers from Green list countries and Bulgarian citizens and persons with the status of permanent or long-term residence in Bulgaria and the members of their families who do not present the necessary documents for entry are subject to a 10-day quarantine after arrival in the country. Quarantine may be revoked if a negative result is obtained from a PCR test for COVID-19 up to 24 hours after entry into the country or from a rapid antigen test.

• All citizens and residents of Romania are allowed to enter Bulgaria without a test certificate or vaccine certificate and will not have a quarantine requirement.

• Based on the above restrictions, travellers will either be exempt from quarantine or required to enter quarantine for a maximum of 10 days.

• More details can be found in this link.

Entry form?

• At this time, there is no entry form required.

Border app recommended?

• Yes

• Authorities have recommended ViruSafe mobile app.

Airline restrictions

• Moderate

• International and domestic commercial passenger flights are operating at a reduced frequency.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Certain categories of travellers can enter the country through the following border crossings: Burgas Airport Border Checkpoint; Varna Airport Border Checkpoint; Plovdiv Airport Border Checkpoint; Sofia Airport Border Checkpoint (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2); Border Checkpoint “Port of Burgas”; Port of Varna border checkpoint; Vidin border checkpoint; Vrashka Chuka border checkpoint; Durankulak border checkpoint; Gueshevo border checkpoint; Zlatarevo border checkpoint; Ilinden border checkpoint; Kalotina border checkpoint; Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint; Captain Petko Voivoda border checkpoint; Kulata border checkpoint; Lesovo border checkpoint; Makaza border checkpoint; Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint; Oltomantsi border checkpoint; Oryahovo border checkpoint; Ruse border checkpoint; “Stanke Lisichkovo border checkpoint and Somovit-Nikopol border checkpoint.

• Entry restrictions have been extended until 31 July 2021.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• No curfew is in effect.

• An emergency epidemic situation is in place until 31 July. Various coronavirus measures and restrictions remain in force during this time.

Social restrictions

• Minimal

• People must maintain at least a 1.5-meter physical distance.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Masks are required when on public transportation.

• There are no restrictions on travel between cities.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential shops and retail businesses are open.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants are allowed to open.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars and nightclubs have reopened.

Beaches and tourism sites open?

• Yes

• Domestic tourism is resuming gradually.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Religious institutions remain open, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Cultural and entertainment events are allowed with limits on capacity.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a mask is mandatory in all indoor public spaces, all public transportation, as well as in open public spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Scarves or substitute face coverings are no longer allowed in place of a mask.

Other

• Entertainment venues have reopened.

• Gyms, cinemas, libraries, and concerts are open and operational with capacity limits.

• Conferences and seminars, team-building exercises, and exhibitions are allowed with strict social distancing guidelines.

• Details can be accessed here.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.