Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa to visit BG?
HKSAR ordinary passport holders can visit Bulgaria visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so the Schengen 90/180 short-stay rule applies. No ETIAS is required yet (expected late 2026). Holders of the Hong Kong SAR ordinary passport do not need a visa for short tourist visits to Bulgaria. Bulgaria has been a full member of the Schengen Area since 1 January 2025 (when internal land border checks were lifted, completing the air/sea accession of March 2024). As a Schengen state, Bulgaria applies the common short-stay rule: HKSAR passport holders may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in total within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen zone, for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or transit. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date and was issued within the previous 10 years, with at least one to two blank pages. Border officers may ask for proof of onward/return travel, sufficient funds (roughly EUR 50-100 per day), accommodation details, and travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000. There is currently no visa fee and no electronic authorization required. Note that ETIAS, the EU's pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026; once live (after a transitional period) HKSAR travelers will need a low-cost ETIAS before entering Bulgaria. Until then, entry remains fully visa-free. Visa-free status covers short stays only; work, study, or stays beyond 90 days require the appropriate national visa or permit obtained in advance.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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