Rules of entry to Bulgaria for Ukrainians in 2025
Do Ukrainian citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria?
No, a visa is not required to enter Bulgaria.
How long can I stay in Bulgaria without a visa?
Since March 31, 2024, Bulgaria has partially joined the Schengen area for travel by air and sea. This means that the days of stay in Bulgaria will now be counted according to the general Schengen rules “90/180”. Previously, Bulgaria had its own 90 days of visa-free travel, but now the time spent here will be counted as part of the total 90 days allowed for staying in the Schengen area.
Remember that even if you enter Bulgaria by car, your days here will be counted according to the Schengen rules.
Temporary protection in Bulgaria for Ukrainians 2025
💡 If you find yourself in Bulgaria as a result of the war in Ukraine and need to obtain temporary protection status,
follow the link to get more information.
To enter Bulgaria, citizens of Ukraine must have the following documents:
- Biometric passport (valid for at least 6 months after leaving Bulgaria)
- Health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros and valid for the entire period of your stay in the Schengen area
Important information for Ukrainians traveling abroad by car
If you are planning to travel from Ukraine to Bulgaria by your own car, you should take care of obtaining a
Green Card policy in advance, because without it, your car will
not be allowed to cross the border. It takes a few minutes to apply for a Green Card. All you need to do is
follow the link, provide the necessary data and pay for the service.
✅🚘 To take out insurance, you will need the following documents:
- Passport of a citizen of Ukraine;
- international passport;
- car registration certificate.
Is it obligatory to have insurance before traveling to Bulgaria?
Health insurance is a mandatory requirement for traveling to Bulgaria, especially after the country's partial accession to the Schengen area. The Bulgarian authorities control the availability of an insurance policy to ensure that tourists have access to medical services in case of need. Therefore, we recommend taking out medical insurance for your trip in advance.
Choose your optimal policy by
following the link here and protect yourself from possible medical expenses abroad. Taking out a policy is fast, reliable, and guarantees peace of mind during your trip!
What should I do if my passport expires?
To renew their passports, citizens of Ukraine should contact the Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia (address: Sofia, Ovcha Kupel, 29 Boriana Str.).
Details are below in the section Contacts of the Embassy.
What should I do if I have a child with me without a passport?
The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Bulgaria can enter the data and paste the child's photo in your passport.
You need to provide
- a photo of 3.4×4.5 cm;
- the child's birth certificate;
- parents' passport.
Crossing the border with pets
Crossing the border with pets is allowed. At the checkpoints, you must fill out a questionnaire.
Are you planning a trip to Bulgaria? Ensure comfort and peace of mind during your trip by using our
legal services! At Visit Ukraine, we understand that even seemingly simple issues can be a source of stress. That is why we offer professional legal support to help you avoid possible problems.
Our services include:
- Written and verbal consultations (30 or 60 minutes): get expert advice on the documents you may need while traveling, as well as recommendations on legal nuances. This will allow you to be sure that you are prepared for all possible situations.
- Full legal support: our team supports you at all stages, helping you prepare the necessary documents and eliminate legal obstacles. We create a customized action plan so you can focus on enjoying your trip.
🫂 Our team of lawyers simplifies the process and helps to avoid bureaucratic obstacles, making your trip to Bulgaria as comfortable as possible.
In 2025, with martial law in Ukraine and closed airspace, traveling to Bulgaria requires careful planning. There are several options to get to Bulgaria.
1. 🚌 Travel by bus
The best routes:
- Kyiv - Sofia: a direct bus route that allows you to get from the capital of Ukraine to the capital of Bulgaria. Buses usually depart from the central bus station in Kyiv. The travel time is approximately 24-26 hours, depending on the time of customs control and road conditions.
- Lviv - Varna: a popular route from western Ukraine. Travel time is approximately 20 hours.
- Odesa - Varna: travel time is about 12-14 hours.
Ticket price: depends on the chosen carrier, but on average the ticket price ranges from 1800 to 2500 UAH.
💡 Where to buy bus tickets from Ukraine to Bulgaria?
Choosing a reliable service for buying tickets is one of the most important steps in organizing a trip. That is why thousands of travelers use
the ticketing service on the Visit Ukraine portal. The site has a bonus points system that allows you to travel much cheaper.
2. 🚆 Traveling by rail
The best routes:
- Kyiv - Warsaw - Sofia: One of the options for traveling by train includes traveling from Kyiv to Warsaw and then changing to a train or bus to Sofia. The travel time to Warsaw is about 15 hours, then a transfer and about 24-26 hours to Sofia.
- Kyiv - Chop - Budapest - Sofia: first by train from Kyiv to Chop (border with Hungary), then to Budapest, and then by bus to Sofia.
3. 🚗 Traveling by car
Advantages: flexibility in choosing a route and the opportunity to visit other countries along the way.
Kyiv - Chernivtsi - Bucharest - Sofia: the most popular car route is through Chernivtsi, then across the border with Romania to Bucharest, and from there to Sofia. The total distance is about 1300 km.
❗️ Important: To travel abroad by car, you must have a
Green Card insurance policy.
Costs: the cost of fuel for this route will be about 150-200 euros, depending on the type of car and the route chosen.
Tips for traveling to Bulgaria for Ukrainians
- Be sure to check the availability of a biometric passport, which gives you the right to enter Bulgaria without a visa.
- Take Bulgarian leva or euros with you, which can be easily exchanged on the spot.
- It is recommended to take out medical insurance for the duration of your trip.
How to travel abroad with a child in 2025?
During martial law, Ukraine has simplified rules for children traveling abroad:
- Children under 16 can travel with one parent without the notarized consent of the other parent.
- Children over the age of 16 have the right to cross the border independently if they have a valid foreign passport.
- If the child is traveling with relatives or other trusted persons, the child's birth certificate and documents confirming the relationship with the accompanying person are required.
Requirements for entering Bulgaria with children
Citizens of Ukraine can enter Bulgaria without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. A biometric passport is required for entry.
Documents for a child to travel abroad
✅ Biometric passport - for visa-free entry and stay up to 90 days.
✅ Birth certificate - especially important if the parents and child have different surnames.
✅ Health insurance - a policy with coverage valid in Bulgaria.
✅ Documents confirming the purpose of the trip - confirmation of accommodation reservation, invitations, tickets, etc.
📌 Need advice on documents or obtaining a residence permit in Bulgaria?
Visit Ukraine specialists will help you with:
- Registration of a power of attorney for a child
- Consultation on departure and residence of a child abroad
- Preparation of documents for legal stay in Bulgaria
👉Get legal advice right now!
List of things to pack for a trip with a child
Documents:
What to take on the road:
- A change of clothes and shoes.
- Hygiene products, diapers (if necessary).
- Medicines (antipyretic, anti-allergy, digestive).
- Snacks and water.
- Toys, books or gadgets to entertain the child.
Health insurance is a must for a trip to Bulgaria!
Medical services in Bulgaria are paid, and the cost of treatment can be very high!
- One doctor's consultation - from 50 to 200 euros
- Hospitalization - from 500 euros and more
👉 Take out insurance on Visit Ukraine - it covers emergency care, diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization and even medical evacuation if necessary.
Legal nuances of traveling abroad with a child
- Travel permit: if a child travels with one parent, the other parent's notarized consent is not required. However, in order to avoid possible misunderstandings, it is recommended to have documents confirming family ties.
- Translation of documents: although the official language of Bulgaria is Bulgarian, English is widely used. It is recommended to have the child's birth certificate translated into English or Bulgarian.
Practical tips for traveling with a child
1. The use of child car seats in Bulgaria is mandatory for children under 12 years of age or up to 150 cm tall.
2. Public transport: children under 7 years old can travel free of charge on public transport.
3. Emergency numbers.
- European emergency number - 112
- Ambulance - 150
- Police - 166
- Fire service - 160
- Pharmacies on duty - 145
4. Pharmacies are open until 18:00 - if you need medication at night or on a weekend, call 145 to find out where the nearest on-call pharmacy is.
5. Children's hospitals and clinics are usually open only until lunchtime - so if something happens, it is better to go to private medical centers or university hospitals (e.g. St. George University Hospital in Plovdiv).
Useful contacts in Bulgaria
Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria
Address: str. 29, Boris I, 1504 Sofia
Phone: +359 2 943 33 08
Hotline: +359 878 015 002
Email: emb_bg@mfa.gov.ua
Website: https://bulgaria.mfa.gov.ua/
