Eastern Europe
Bulgaria Visa Guide
EU's lowest flat tax at 10%, great value base
Quick answer
Bulgaria offers 12 visa categories covering transit, business, family, retirement, tourism, study, work, and entrepreneurial routes. Key options include the Short-stay Visa (Type C) for tourism [5], the Type C Schengen Short-Stay Visa [7], the Student Visa (Type D) for study [6], and the Type D Entrepreneur/Startup Visa for entrepreneurs [10]. Other routes include the Airport Transit Visa (Type A) [1], Business Visa [2], Family Reunification Visa (Type D) [3], Retirement Visa (Type D) [4], Type D Company Representation Visa [8], Type D Company Representative Visa [9], and Type D Foreign Investment Visa.
At a glance
Bulgaria offers a Freelance Trade Representative (D-type) visa for self-employed remote workers, with the standout 10% flat income tax rate — the EU's lowest — and one of the bloc's most affordable costs of living.
Visa options in Bulgaria (21)
Tourist / short-stay
Work
Type D Company Representation Visa
work
Type D Company Representative Visa
work
Type D Freelance Visa
1 year
Type D Work Visa
6 months
Work Visa (Type D)
Up to 180 days (general) or up to 360 days for specific categories
Retirement
Investor / entrepreneur
Family
Study
Am I eligible for anything here?
Bulgaria's visa eligibility depends heavily on:
- Your nationality — some visas apply nationality-based exclusions or bilateral agreements
- Your income and financial situation
- How long you want to stay
- Whether you're bringing dependents
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Bulgaria as a tourist?
Yes, for many nationalities a visa is required. Bulgaria offers the Short-stay Visa (Type C) for tourism, allowing stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period [5]. Additionally, the Type C Schengen Short-Stay Visa is available for tourist purposes, also permitting 90 days in any 180-day period [7].
What is the most popular visa for Bulgaria?
The Short-stay Visa (Type C) is a common choice for tourists, allowing stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period [5]. For longer stays, the Student Visa (Type D) is popular among students, offering up to 180 days generally and up to 360 days for researchers/students [6].
Can I work in Bulgaria with a visa?
Yes, Bulgaria offers several work-related visa options. The Type D Company Representation Visa [8] and Type D Company Representative Visa [9] are designed for individuals representing companies. Additionally, entrepreneurs can apply for the Type D Entrepreneur/Startup Visa, which is valid for 1 year [10].
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Vietnam
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Japan
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Indonesia
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Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Airport Transit Visa (Type A) — Transit route, Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Business Visa — Other route, 90 days within 180 days
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [3]
Family Reunification Visa (Type D) — Family route, within any 180-day period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [4]
Retirement Visa (Type D) — Retirement route, 90 days per 180-day period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [5]
Short-stay Visa (Type C) — Tourist route, 90 days within any 180-day period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [6]
Student Visa (Type D) — Student route, Up to 180 days (general); up to 360 days for researchers/students
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [7]
Type C Schengen Short-Stay Visa — Tourist route, 90 days in any 180-day period
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [8]
Type D Company Representation Visa — Work route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Cross-referenced - [9]
Type D Company Representative Visa — Work route
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
Type D Entrepreneur/Startup Visa — Entrepreneur route, 1 year
Primary source · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
Effective tax-rate estimate for foreign residents (~10%)
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
- [12]
Affordability index and climate tags
VisaBook internal estimate (soft-preference data) · Last verified: Aug 15, 2026Verified — deep-linkedVisaBook internal soft-preference estimate used by Search filters — not an official statistic.
This page reflects Bulgaria's officially published visa categories as of the dates above. It is not legal advice. For detailed, case-specific requirements for any visa listed here, see that visa's own page.