Sofia, the Black Sea coast and the Rila Monastery make Bulgaria a budget-friendly European find — and here is the headline: Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so your Schengen visa now covers it and you no longer need a separate Bulgarian visa. A Bulgaria tourist visa is a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa for up to 90 days, applied through VFS Global. At FastVisa123 (fastvisa123.com) we file Bulgarian Schengen applications for Indians for a flat fee.
Bulgaria tourist visa at a glance
Type: Schengen short-stay (Type C), up to 90 days — Bulgaria is full Schengen since 1 Jan 2025. Apply via: VFS Global. Fee: €90 adult + VFS service fee. Funds: about €50/day (min ~€500). Best for: budget Sofia, the Black Sea and the mountains. FastVisa123 builds the whole file.
Where to apply & jurisdiction
Bulgaria uses VFS Global — apply at the centre for your region. Because Bulgaria is now full Schengen, standard Schengen rules apply (see the change in our new Schengen members guide), and you choose your consulate by main destination via our which-country guide.
Bulgaria visa fees (2026)
| Applicant | Visa fee |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | €90 (about ₹9,000) |
| Child 6–12 | €45 |
| Child under 6 | Free |
| VFS service fee | Separate — non-refundable |
Funds & documents
Show around €50 per day (a minimum of roughly €500 equivalent) via 3 months of bank statements and ITR/Form 16. Standard documents apply: passport (10 years, valid 3+ months beyond return, 2 blank pages), two photos, €30,000 insurance (insurance guide), a cover letter and itinerary, round-trip flight reservation, accommodation, and an NOC/leave letter. See proof of funds.
Bulgaria visa: do vs don’t
✅ Do
Treat Bulgaria as full Schengen on one visa. Show steady funds near €50/day with ITR. Keep dates consistent. Apply early in summer.
❌ Don’t
Don’t apply for a separate Bulgarian visa — the Schengen visa covers it now. Don’t show a sudden lump-sum deposit. Don’t tick Tourism for a family visit. Don’t buy non-refundable tickets before approval.
Approval green flags vs refusal red flags
🟢 Green flags (officers love these)
A steady 3–6 month bank balance backed by ITR; a clear, dated day-by-day itinerary; a confirmed return ticket and matching hotels; strong ties to India (job, family, property); an approved leave letter or NOC; and one consistent story across every document.
🔴 Red flags (officers refuse for these)
A sudden lump-sum deposit days before applying; a vague “Europe tour” with no real plan; dates that disagree across form, tickets and hotels; weak or no ties to India; ticking Tourism for a family visit; and applying at the wrong consulate.
💬 What applicants are actually saying
The loudest 2026 complaint in traveller communities is appointment slots vanishing within minutes, plus refusals for weak funds or unclear plans. Read real outcomes in our approved-or-rejected stories, the rejection-reasons guide, and how to grab a slot in our appointment-slots guide.
Processing & after the decision
Bulgaria usually decides within about 15 working days. Apply early in summer when slots fill fast. A formal interview is uncommon (interview reality). If refused, reapply or appeal; biometrics may be reused within ~5 years.
Get your Bulgaria tourist visa filed right
FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Bulgarian application — flat ₹10,000. Indian travellers, start at fastvisa123.com.
Bulgaria tourist visa: 33 common questions answered
1. Is Bulgaria in the Schengen Area now?
FastVisa123: Yes. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so a Schengen short-stay visa covers it — you no longer need a separate Bulgarian visa.
2. Do I need a separate visa for Bulgaria?
FastVisa123: No. Since Bulgaria is now full Schengen, your Schengen (Type C) visa covers it like any other member. Ignore older articles saying otherwise.
3. Where do I apply for a Bulgaria tourist visa in India?
FastVisa123: Through VFS Global — apply at the centre for your region; the Bulgarian mission makes the decision.
4. How much money do I need for a Bulgaria visa?
FastVisa123: Around €50 per day of stay, with a minimum of roughly €500 equivalent, shown via 3 months of statements backed by ITR.
5. What is the Bulgaria tourist visa fee?
FastVisa123: €90 for adults (about ₹9,000), €45 for children 6–12, free under 6, plus a separate VFS service fee.
6. How long does a Bulgaria tourist visa take?
FastVisa123: Usually around 15 working days from your VFS appointment, longer in the summer peak. Apply several weeks ahead.
7. Is Bulgaria a budget-friendly Schengen trip?
FastVisa123: Yes — Bulgaria is one of the most affordable countries in Europe, so your funds stretch well across Sofia, the Black Sea and the mountains.
8. Does my Bulgaria visa cover the Black Sea and Sofia?
FastVisa123: Yes — a Schengen visa issued by Bulgaria covers the whole country including Sofia, Plovdiv and the Black Sea coast, plus the rest of the Schengen Area.
9. Can I combine Bulgaria with Greece or Romania?
FastVisa123: Yes. As Schengen members, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania combine easily on one visa — apply to your main-destination country with one consistent itinerary.
10. Do I need ITR or Form 16 for a Bulgaria visa?
FastVisa123: Yes, it is recommended — the last 2 to 3 years of ITR or Form 16 to show your income genuinely supports your balance.
11. How many months of bank statements does Bulgaria want?
FastVisa123: Typically 3 months (some consulates ask 6), bank-issued, showing a steady balance rather than a sudden last-minute deposit.
12. Should I tick Tourism or visiting family on the form?
FastVisa123: Tick the true purpose — visiting family/friends if you are staying with relatives, not Tourism. Mismatching is a common refusal reason.
13. What accommodation proof does Bulgaria accept?
FastVisa123: Hotel or Airbnb bookings covering your whole stay, or a host’s invitation, matching your itinerary dates.
14. Do I need a confirmed flight ticket or a reservation?
FastVisa123: A confirmed round-trip reservation is enough for the application. Buy the paid ticket only after approval to avoid losing money if refused.
15. What travel insurance does Bulgaria require?
FastVisa123: Travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover, valid across the Schengen Area for your whole trip, including emergency medical and repatriation.
16. What are the photo requirements?
FastVisa123: Two recent 35×45 mm photos on a white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. See our photo guide on fastvisa123.com.
17. Do I apply to Bulgaria if visiting other Schengen countries?
FastVisa123: Only if Bulgaria is your main destination — the country of most nights or main purpose. Otherwise apply to that country.
18. What cover letter does Bulgaria expect?
FastVisa123: A clear day-by-day plan, your purpose, funding and reasons to return to India, consistent with your documents. Use our template on fastvisa123.com.
19. What are common reasons Bulgaria refuses a visa?
FastVisa123: Weak or inconsistent funds, an unclear purpose, poor ties to India, or missing documents. The bar is the standard Schengen one for genuine tourists.
20. Does Bulgaria interview applicants or verify by phone?
FastVisa123: A formal interview is uncommon for tourists. The mission may ask questions or verify details, so keep your documents consistent and contacts reachable.
21. How many entries and how long is the Bulgaria visa valid?
FastVisa123: It varies by case; first-timers often get a single or short multiple-entry visa, while travel history can earn longer validity. Days are capped at 90 in any 180.
22. What if my Bulgaria visa is refused?
FastVisa123: If the reason is fixable, reapply with a stronger file; if it was a clear error, appeal within the deadline. See our reapply and appeal guides on fastvisa123.com.
23. Can FastVisa123 handle my Bulgaria tourist visa application?
FastVisa123: Yes. FastVisa123 builds your funds and document set and files the whole Bulgarian application — for a flat ₹10,000. Start at fastvisa123.com.
24. Do Indians need ETIAS for Bulgaria?
FastVisa123: No. ETIAS is a travel authorisation only for visa-exempt nationalities, and Indian passport holders are not eligible — you must apply for a Schengen visa for Bulgaria. Ignore any ‘ETIAS for India’ website; FastVisa123 files the actual visa you need.
25. Can I work or study in Bulgaria on this tourist visa?
FastVisa123: No. A Type C tourist visa is strictly for tourism or visiting and cannot be used to work or study, nor converted from inside the Schengen Area. Long-term work or study needs a separate national visa applied for from India.
26. Can I extend my Bulgaria tourist visa once I am there?
FastVisa123: Only in rare, unforeseeable cases such as serious illness or force majeure, applied for locally before it expires. Wanting more holiday time is not a valid reason, so plan your dates correctly.
27. Can I visit other Schengen countries on a Bulgaria visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. A uniform Schengen visa issued by Bulgaria lets you travel across all Schengen countries, as long as Bulgaria remains your main destination and you stay within 90 days in any 180-day period.
28. Do my children need their own Bulgaria visa?
FastVisa123: Yes. Each child needs a separate application and visa with their own photo, birth certificate, both parents’ consent and supporting documents. Children under 6 are usually free and ages 6–12 pay a reduced fee.
29. How do I track my Bulgaria visa application?
FastVisa123: After you submit at VFS, you get a reference number to track the application online and by email, and a couriered passport is tracked via the courier using that number. FastVisa123 keeps you updated at every stage.
30. Is a VFS appointment mandatory for Bulgaria, or can I walk in?
FastVisa123: An appointment is mandatory for almost all applicants, including minors, to give biometrics and submit documents, and each person needs their own. Assume an appointment is required and book early.
31. Can I apply for my whole family in one go?
FastVisa123: Each traveller needs a separate application, appointment and visa sticker for Bulgaria, including every child; a parent signs for minors. You can attend together, but the files are assessed individually.
32. What if I apply too close to my travel date?
FastVisa123: Apply at least about 15 days before travel. Applications lodged with departure under 15 days away are usually returned unprocessed (fees may be refunded), so apply early — ideally 4–8 weeks ahead in peak season.
33. Can I enter Bulgaria before my visa’s start date?
FastVisa123: No. You may enter only from the ‘valid from’ date on your sticker and must use the visa within its validity. Arriving early risks denied boarding or entry, so match your flights to the visa dates.
Heading to Romania? See Romania tourist visa (Type C) from India guide.
Refused by Bulgaria? See what to do if your Bulgaria visa is refused (reasons & appeal).
Official source: Official Bulgaria government visa information