Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit the United States?

Yes, Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit the United States. Bulgaria is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Bulgarians must apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa at a US Embassy or Consulate before traveling. The application process includes completing Form DS-160, paying the visa fee, and attending an interview.

Can Bulgarians work anywhere in the EU with their passport?

Yes, as EU citizens, Bulgarian passport holders have the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member states without needing a work permit or visa. This freedom of movement is guaranteed under EU law. Bulgarians can also access the labor markets of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland under the European Economic Area (EEA) and bilateral agreements.

Is military service mandatory for Bulgarian passport holders?

No, mandatory military service in Bulgaria was abolished in 2008. Bulgaria now maintains an all-volunteer professional military force. Bulgarian citizens are not required to perform compulsory military service, though voluntary military careers are available. This applies to all Bulgarian passport holders, including dual citizens.

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom in 2025?

Bulgarian citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom starting in 2025. While visa-free for short stays (up to 6 months for tourism), Bulgarians must apply online for an ETA before traveling, costing £10. This requirement was introduced post-Brexit for most non-visa nationals, including EU citizens.

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Canada without a visa?

Bulgarian citizens do not need a visa for short visits to Canada but must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before flying. The eTA is applied for online, costs CAD $7, and is typically approved within minutes. It is valid for up to 5 years or until passport expiry and allows stays of up to 6 months per visit.

Which countries require Bulgarian citizens to get a visa on arrival?

Bulgarian passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in 28 countries, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mozambique, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Requirements and fees vary by destination, so check current regulations before travel.

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Australia?

Yes, Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Australia, but they can apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651) or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) online. The eVisitor is free and allows multiple visits of up to 3 months each within a 12-month period for tourism or business. Applications are usually processed quickly, often within 24 hours.

What documents do Bulgarian citizens need to renew their passport?

To renew a Bulgarian passport, citizens need: current or expired passport, completed application form, one biometric photo (35x45mm), valid ID card, and payment of the state fee (ranging from 25 to 100 BGN depending on processing speed). Applications are submitted at Bulgarian consulates abroad or within Bulgaria at regional offices. Processing takes 1-30 days depending on the service level selected.

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Russia visa-free?

No, Bulgarian citizens cannot visit Russia visa-free. They must obtain an electronic visa (e-visa) online before traveling, which is available for tourism, business, or humanitarian visits for up to 16 days. The e-visa is free, processed within 4 days, and valid for 60 days from issue. Alternatively, Bulgarians can apply for a traditional visa at Russian consulates for longer stays.

Bulgaria Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 178 Countries

The Bulgaria passport ranks 14th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 178 destinations worldwide. As an EU member state, Bulgarian citizens enjoy significant travel freedom throughout Europe and beyond, with the passport showing steady improvement from 29th place in 2006 to its current top-tier ranking. This strong mobility makes the Bulgarian passport highly valuable for international business, tourism, and personal travel, positioning Bulgaria among the world's most powerful travel documents.

Global Rank

#14

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

178

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Bulgaria passport

140

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bulgarian Citizens

Popular destinations where Bulgaria passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
France	Up to 90 days	FR
Thailand	Up to 30 days	TH
Turkey	Up to 90 days	TR
United Arab Emirates	Up to 90 days	AE
Singapore	Up to 90 days	SG

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Bulgaria passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

140 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

29 countries

🔐 ETA Required

9 countries

💻 E-Visa

26 countries

❌ Visa Required

22 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Bulgaria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 15 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Bulgaria Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria

🔗

Bulgarian Consular Services - Passports

🔗

Ministry of Interior - Bulgarian Documents

Compare Bulgaria Passport with Other Passports

See how Bulgaria's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Bulgaria (You are here)	#14	178	65/100	86/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Bulgarian passport holders can visit 178 destinations without a prior visa in 2025. This includes visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, and electronic travel authorization (eTA) destinations. Bulgaria ranks 14th globally on the Henley Passport Index 2025, making it one of the strongest passports in the world, particularly benefiting from EU membership privileges.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Bulgaria's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Bulgaria Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 178 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to 90 days

Up to 30 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Up to 90 days

Historical Ranking Trend

Bulgaria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Improved by 15 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Bulgaria Passport with Other Passports

See how Bulgaria's passport compares with other EUROPE in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Bulgaria (You are here)	#14	178	65/100	86/100
Switzerland	#4	188	95/100	94/100
Spain	#4	188	92/100	93/100
Italy	#4	188	94/100	75/100
Germany	#4	188	95/100	75/100
Luxembourg	#4	188	95/100	33/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Bulgaria passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bulgarian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Bulgaria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Bulgaria Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Bulgaria Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Bulgarian passport holders visit visa-free in 2025?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit the United States?

Can Bulgarians work anywhere in the EU with their passport?

Is military service mandatory for Bulgarian passport holders?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom in 2025?

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Canada without a visa?

Which countries require Bulgarian citizens to get a visa on arrival?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Australia?

What documents do Bulgarian citizens need to renew their passport?

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Russia visa-free?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Bulgaria passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Bulgarian Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Bulgaria's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Bulgaria Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Bulgaria Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Bulgarian passport holders visit visa-free in 2025?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit the United States?

Can Bulgarians work anywhere in the EU with their passport?

Is military service mandatory for Bulgarian passport holders?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom in 2025?

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Canada without a visa?

Which countries require Bulgarian citizens to get a visa on arrival?

Do Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Australia?

What documents do Bulgarian citizens need to renew their passport?

Can Bulgarian passport holders visit Russia visa-free?

Explore More Passport Rankings