Bulgaria: Authorities to amend COVID-19 international entry restrictions from May 1 /update 26

Bulgaria to modify COVID-19-related international entry restrictions from May 1. Domestic measures remain unchanged.

Event

Authorities in Bulgaria plan to modify the nation's COVID-19-related international entry restrictions. Effective May 1, incoming travelers must produce one of the following documents in order to enter the country:

Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, provided at least 14 days have passed since the administration of the second dose
Negative result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test taken within the previous 72 hours
Certification of having recovered from COVID-19 within six months prior to arrival

Freight transporters and aircraft crews are exempt from this documentation requirement.

Bulgaria permits citizens of the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as those of Australia, Belarus, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Uruguay, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Kuwait, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, to enter the country.

All travelers entering from any African country must self-isolate for at least 10 days upon arrival and take a COVID-19 PCR test at the end of the quarantine period; the self-isolation ends if the test is negative.

Domestic restrictions
COVID-19-related restrictions on domestic activities remain largely unchanged. Private gatherings may not exceed 15 attendees. Public and private conferences and seminars are suspended. Public, commercial, and administrative facilities are limited to a maximum capacity of one person per 3 square meters (32 square feet). Facemasks are mandatory in all enclosed public spaces, including on public transport. Airports are open but operating on reduced schedules. The nation's COVID-19 state of emergency (SoE) will remain in force until at least April 30.

Local officials have the authority to amend measures and impose additional restrictions; as a result, tighter controls may be in force in certain areas. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.