Visa guide · updated October 2026Do Indians need a visa for Bulgaria?
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for Bulgaria. The short-stay visa costs €90 for adults, allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, and is normally decided within 15 days. Apply to Bulgaria if it is your main destination.
When you do not need a visa
You can enter without a visa if you hold one of the following:
- A valid residence permit or long-stay visa issued by any Schengen country
- A valid multiple-entry Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country, within its 90/180-day limit
Bulgaria visa options for Indians
| Option | Who it is for | Stay and validity | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | Tourism, business, and family or private visits | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area | €90 |
| Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11 | Children travelling with or without their parents | Same as above | €45 |
| Schengen visa, child under 6 | Children under 6 | Same as above | No visa fee |
| National long-stay visa (type D) | Study, work or family stays of more than 90 days | Set by Bulgaria’s own rules | Set by Bulgaria; see the official visa site |
Bulgaria visa fees
| Option | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) | €90 |
| Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11 | €45 |
| Schengen visa, child under 6 | No visa fee |
| National long-stay visa (type D) | Set by Bulgaria; see the official visa site |
The €90, €45 and free rates are the Schengen fees set by EU rules and are the same for every Schengen country. They are paid in rupees at the rate set by the consulate, and a visa application centre adds its own service charge.
Documents required
The official source lists these documents:
- Passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen area
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Recent photo that meets the Schengen specifications
- Travel medical insurance valid across the Schengen area for the whole stay
- Documents showing the purpose of the trip, where you will stay, that you can pay for the stay, and that you intend to return
- Fingerprints, collected when you submit the application
How to apply
Check that Bulgaria is the right country to apply to: it must be your only or main destination, or your first point of entry if you spend equal time in several Schengen countries.
Follow the instructions on Bulgaria’s official visa site for India and book an appointment at the consulate or its visa application centre.
Submit the form, passport, photo and supporting documents in person and give your fingerprints.
Pay the visa fee and any service charge, then wait for the decision. Apply no later than 15 days before travel; up to 6 months ahead is allowed.
Processing time
Usually 15 days; this can be extended to up to 45 days if the consulate needs to examine the application further. You can apply from 6 months before the trip and no later than 15 days before it.
Best Time to Visit Bulgaria
Bulgaria offers diverse experiences across four distinct seasons, from Black Sea beaches to ski resorts:
- Summer (June to September): Peak season on the Black Sea coast with temperatures of 25-35°C. Golden Sands, Sunny Beach, and Nessebar are popular resort destinations. The water temperature reaches 24-26°C in July-August.
- Winter (December to March): Ski season in the Bulgarian mountains — Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo offer excellent skiing at affordable prices compared to Western European resorts. Temperatures range from -5°C to 5°C.
- Spring (April to May): Mild temperatures of 12-22°C. The countryside is green and blooming. Perfect for exploring Sofia, Plovdiv, and Veliko Tarnovo without the summer crowds.
- Autumn (September to October): Harvest season with pleasant temperatures of 15-25°C. Excellent for wine tasting in the Thracian Valley and cultural tourism. The September temperatures on the coast remain warm enough for swimming.
Visa application centres in India
VFS Global accepts Bulgaria visa applications at 15 centres in India. Check which centre covers your state before you book.
Visa application centres
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Goa
- Gurugram
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Jalandhar
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Puducherry
- Pune
AhmedabadBengaluruChandigarhChennaiCochinGoaGurugramHyderabadJaipurJalandharKolkataMumbaiNew DelhiPuducherryPuneCentre list from VFS Global, checked on 26 October 2026. Centres open and close, so confirm before you travel to one.
Popular places to visit in Bulgaria
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Sofia by Deensel, CC BY 2.0; Plovdiv by Ilia Markov from Sofia, Bulgaria, CC BY-SA 2.0; Varna by MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 3.0; Veliko Tarnovo by Mark Ahsmann, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa for Bulgaria. The short-stay visa costs €90 for adults, allows up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, and is normally decided within 15 days. Apply to Bulgaria if it is your main destination.
Schengen short-stay visa (type C): €90. Schengen visa, child aged 6 to 11: €45. Schengen visa, child under 6: No visa fee. National long-stay visa (type D): Set by Bulgaria; see the official visa site. The €90, €45 and free rates are the Schengen fees set by EU rules and are the same for every Schengen country. They are paid in rupees at the rate set by the consulate, and a visa application centre adds its own service charge.
Usually 15 days; this can be extended to up to 45 days if the consulate needs to examine the application further. You can apply from 6 months before the trip and no later than 15 days before it.
Check that Bulgaria is the right country to apply to: it must be your only or main destination, or your first point of entry if you spend equal time in several Schengen countries. Follow the instructions on Bulgaria’s official visa site for India and book an appointment at the consulate or its visa application centre. Submit the form, passport, photo and supporting documents in person and give your fingerprints. Pay the visa fee and any service charge, then wait for the decision. Apply no later than 15 days before travel; up to 6 months ahead is allowed.
From the official sources listed at the end of this page, checked on 26 October 2026. Visa rules and fees change, so confirm them on the official site before you apply.
Official sources
The visa facts on this page come from these official pages, checked on 26 October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them before you apply.