BulgariaStay

Short-term stay in Bulgaria

A foreign national's stay in Bulgaria for a period of up to ninety days without a long-stay permit. It is possible on a C visa or without a visa for nationals of countries with visa-free arrangements. Within the set period the permit may be extended once for exceptional or humanitarian reasons, which are assessed by the administrative control of foreign nationals service. A short-term stay does not convert into a long-term stay directly.

Source: Ministry of the Interior, Migration Directorate — Разрешения за пребиваване

Who can stay in Bulgaria for a short time

A short-term stay suits tourists, business travellers and short holidays. You enter with or without a visa, register your address and stay within the 90 days.

On a C visa

Nationals of countries that need a visa to enter Bulgaria
The visa is issued for 90 days within 180 days
It is arranged at the consulate before the trip

Without a visa

Nationals of countries with visa-free arrangements with Bulgaria
A stay of up to 90 days within 180 days from the day of first entry
No registration is required until you take up accommodation

When the programme is not a fit

You plan to stay for more than 90 days within six months

A long-term stay (a residence permit) — this requires a D visa from a consulate

You want to work officially in Bulgaria

A long-term stay for employment purposes — this too requires a D visa

You are looking for a permanent place of residence for an indefinite period

Permanent residence, or long-term residence on the appropriate ground

What it costs

Extension of a short-term stayOnce, in exceptional circumstances or for humanitarian or serious personal reasons	30 EUR

Paid separately

C visa — The consular fee (EUR 80 for adults) is not part of the administrative fees of the Ministry of the Interior

Documents to gather

To register an address and extend a stay you need:

A valid passport or travel document
A document confirming the accommodation (a tenancy agreement, a title deed or a hotel booking)
An application for the grant of a right of residence (the Ministry of the Interior form)
Health insurance (recommended)

How the process runs

How a short-term stay in Bulgaria works:

1
Crossing the border
On entry
A border crossing stamp is placed in the passport. The period is counted from the moment of first entry into Bulgaria.
2
Registering the address of residence
Within 3 days of taking up accommodation
The owner or landlord who has provided accommodation to the foreign national has to notify the district directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, or the administrative control of foreign nationals service, in writing within 3 days. Where the person stays at a hotel, registration takes place through the hotel's records.
3
Staying in the country
Up to 90 days within 180 days
Being in Bulgaria within the set limit. Days spent in other Schengen countries count towards the overall limit.
4
Extension (if needed)
Examined within 14 days
An application is filed with the administrative control of foreign nationals service in exceptional circumstances. One extension is possible. The decision is taken by the administrative control service.
5
Leaving the country
Before the end of the permitted period
You have to leave Bulgaria before the 90 days within 180 days run out. An extension is valid only on Bulgarian territory and is cancelled on departure.

Renewal and the grace period

A short-term stay is extended once on the basis of exceptional circumstances, humanitarian reasons or serious personal reasons. The extension is arranged by an application to the administrative control of foreign nationals service. After the extension the total period of stay does not exceed 90 days within 180 days from first entry. A short-term stay does not convert into a long-term stay (a residence permit) directly — that requires a D visa issued at a Bulgarian consulate abroad.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

A short-term stay does not convert into a residence permit directly: prodalzhitelno prebivavane requires a D visa, and that is issued only at a consulate abroad.

Frequently asked questions about Short-term stay

How many days can I stay in Bulgaria without a visa?

Nationals of countries with visa-free arrangements are entitled to stay 90 days within each 180 days from the day of first entry. Days spent in other Schengen countries count towards this limit.

How much does it cost to extend a short-term stay?

The EUR 30 fee is charged where the stay is extended for serious personal reasons. That is how Tariff No. 4 of the Ministry of the Interior reads in the version in force from 1 January 2026. For an extension on exceptional circumstances or humanitarian grounds the tariff provides no such fee.

Can I extend a short-term stay several times?

The «only once» rule is no longer in the law: it was removed by the amendments published on 27 June 2025. The validity of a Schengen visa and the length of stay are now extended within 90 days in any 180 — on exceptional circumstances, humanitarian grounds or serious personal reasons. The decision is taken by the Migration Directorate and the migration units at the regional directorates of the Ministry of the Interior; the application goes in before the authorised period ends.

How do I move from a short-term stay to a long-term one?

There is no direct transition. To obtain a long-term stay (a residence permit) you have to obtain a D visa at a Bulgarian consulate in your own country. You can then apply to the Ministry of the Interior for the relevant residence permit.

Other ways to move to Bulgaria

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Bulgaria.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.