Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit BG?

No visa needed. British citizen passport holders can visit Bulgaria visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a Schengen short stay. ETIAS is not yet required (launches Q4 2026). Bulgaria became a full Schengen Area member in 2025 (air and sea borders March 2024, land borders January 2025). As a result, holders of an ordinary British citizen passport may enter Bulgaria for tourism, family visits, business meetings and short studies without a visa for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Crucially, this 90-day allowance is shared across the entire Schengen Area, so any days spent in other Schengen countries during the preceding 180 days count toward the same limit. Your passport must have a date of issue less than 10 years before the date you arrive and an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen Area. At the border you may be asked to show proof of accommodation, a return or onward ticket, travel insurance and sufficient funds for your stay. Two EU systems are changing how Britons travel to Bulgaria. The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) on entry and is free. ETIAS, a travel authorisation (not a visa), is expected to launch in Q4 2026 and will then cost EUR 20 for travellers aged 18-70, remain valid for three years or until the passport expires, and permit the same 90/180 short stays. As of 30 May 2026, ETIAS is NOT yet live, so a valid passport is all a UK tourist needs.