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🇹🇷Türkiye
🇧🇬BulgariaTR-BG

Türkiye to Bulgaria visa requirements

Turkish ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Bulgaria. Bulgaria became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, so a uniform Schengen visa is required for tourism. Turks are NOT eligible for ETIAS (that is only for visa-exempt nationalities). As of 30 May 2026, holders of an ordinary Turkish passport must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travelling to Bulgaria for tourism. Bulgaria abolished its air and sea internal border controls on 31 March 2024 and its land border controls on 1 January 2025, becoming a full member of the Schengen Area. Consequently, the standard Schengen visa rules apply: the visa is valid across the whole Schengen zone, and the holder may stay a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period (the 90/180 rule). Because Turkey is NOT a visa-exempt country, Turkish nationals fall outside the scope of ETIAS; the EU has explicitly confirmed they need a visa rather than an ETIAS authorisation. Applications are lodged at a Bulgarian consulate or its outsourced visa centre in Turkey, generally in person to capture biometrics. Since 15 July 2025 the EU applies a more favourable "cascade" visa regime to bona fide Turkish travellers resident in Turkey (excluding truck drivers): repeat applicants with a clean travel history progressively qualify for longer multiple-entry visas (1-year, then 3-year, then 5-year). The standard short-stay visa fee is EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children aged 6-11; free under 6).
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE 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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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - issued by Bulgaria, valid Schengen-wide
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period (Schengen 90/180 rule)
per entry
Entries
Single, double or multiple entry (first-time applicants usually single/double; multiple-entry under cascade rule)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children 6-11; free for children under 6)
consular fee only
Processing time
Typically 15 calendar days; can extend to 30-45 days in some cases
standard track
Validity
Issued for the dates of travel; multiple-entry visas may be valid 1, 3 or 5 years under the cascade rule
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm visa type and gather documents
Apply for a Schengen short-stay (Type C) tourist visa. Bulgaria is a full Schengen member, so this single visa covers Bulgaria and the rest of the Schengen Area.
· Type C· tourism
/02
Complete the Schengen application form
Fill in the harmonised Schengen visa application form accurately, sign it, and attach a recent biometric photo (35x45 mm, plain background).
· online or paper· 1 photo
/03
Book an appointment
Schedule an appointment at the Bulgarian consulate or its authorised visa application centre in Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Edirne). In-person attendance is normally required to capture fingerprints.
· biometrics· in person
/04
Submit application and pay the fee
Lodge documents, give fingerprints, and pay the EUR 90 visa fee (plus any service-centre charge). Apply no earlier than 6 months and ideally at least 15 days before travel.
· EUR 90· fingerprints
/05
Wait for processing
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days; allow up to 30-45 days in peak season or if extra documents are requested.
· ~15 days
/06
Collect passport and verify the visa
Retrieve your passport, check the visa sticker for correct dates, number of entries and duration of stay, then travel within the validity window.
· check sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
Türkiye -> Bulgaria · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - issued by Bulgaria, valid Schengen-wide
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredTurkish passport valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure, with 2+ blank pages, issued within last 10 years
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
required
RequiredOne recent biometric photo (35x45 mm, plain light background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredRound-trip flight/travel reservation or itinerary into and out of the Schengen Area
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation in Bulgaria (hotel booking or invitation)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredTravel medical insurance covering the Schengen Area with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredProof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements, payslips)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredVisa fee EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children 6-11)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedProof of employment / ties to Turkey (employer letter, business registration)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedPreviously used Schengen visas (helps qualify for longer multiple-entry visa under cascade rule)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesEU Migration & Home Affairs - New rules for Turkish citizens applying for Schengen visasEEAS - Clarification regarding ETIAS (Turkish nationals need a visa)EU Migration & Home Affairs - Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen Area
Application link included: EU Migration & Home Affairs - New rules for Turkish citizens applying for Schengen visas
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen short-stay visa fee (adult)EUR 90Standard fee for applicants aged 12 and over
Schengen visa fee (child 6-11)EUR 45Reduced fee; children under 6 are exempt
Visa application centre service feeEUR 30-40 approx.Charged when applying via an outsourced visa centre, not at the consulate directly
Travel medical insuranceEUR 20-60Mandatory; minimum EUR 30,000 Schengen-wide coverage, varies by trip length and provider
Total estimateEUR 90 — EUR 190incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard consular processing
~15 calendar days
Normal Schengen processing time after a complete application is submitted with biometrics.
Extended processing
30-45 days
Applies during high season or when additional documents/verification are requested.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Turkey is not visa-exempt for the EU/Schengen Area
Turkey remains the only EU candidate country whose citizens still require visas for the EU, so a full Schengen visa is mandatory.
High
/02
Bulgaria is a full Schengen member
Since 1 January 2025 Bulgaria applies the common Schengen visa policy, so a uniform Schengen C visa is needed for short tourist stays.
High
/03
ETIAS does not apply to Turkish nationals
ETIAS covers only visa-exempt travellers; Turks must hold a visa, not an ETIAS authorisation.
Medium
/04
90/180 short-stay limit
Even with a visa, stays are capped at 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area.
Medium
/05
Cascade rule rewards travel history
Bona fide Turkish travellers can progressively obtain longer multiple-entry visas (1, 3, 5 years), reducing future paperwork.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
Turkey to Bulgaria route verified
Confirmed against EU Migration & Home Affairs and EEAS sources: Turkish ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C visa for Bulgaria (full Schengen member since 1 Jan 2025); Turks are excluded from ETIAS; cascade visa regime in force since 15 Jul 2025; standard fee EUR 90.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Turkish citizens need a visa to visit Bulgaria for tourism?—
Yes. Holders of an ordinary Turkish passport must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travelling. Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025.
Can Turkish travellers use ETIAS instead of a visa for Bulgaria?+
How long can I stay in Bulgaria on a Schengen visa?+
How much does the visa cost?+
What is the cascade rule and does it help me?+
Where do I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

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