Bulgaria: Authorities maintain COVID-19-related entry and domestic restrictions as of June 28 /update 30

Bulgaria maintains COVID-19-related entry and domestic restrictions as of June 28; travel and business disruptions likely.

Event

Authorities in Bulgaria maintain various international entry and domestic restrictions as of June 28 in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Citizens and residents of Romania, Turkey, Greece, Serbia, and North Macedonia who also travel daily or weekly to Bulgaria to work or study may enter the country without restrictions; these travelers need no longer show COVID-19-related documentation, including a negative result from a PCR or antigen test, a vaccination certificate, or a positive COVID-19 test result indicating previous infection and subsequent recovery. This also applies to Bulgarian citizens and residents who travel daily or weekly to work or study in these five neighboring countries.

Bulgaria generally permits nationals of the EU, the Schengen Area, and those of select low-risk countries, including Australia, Canada, Georgia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, Israel, UK, US, North Macedonia, and Ukraine to enter the country. Exemptions are in place for essential workers from other nations.

Except as otherwise indicated, incoming travelers must produce one of the following documents in order to enter Bulgaria:

Certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, provided at least 14 days have passed since the administration of the second dose
A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival
A positive result from a COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken at least 15 days and no more than 180 days before arrival (i.e., to confirm recovery from the illness)

Freight transporters and aircraft crews are exempt from the aforementioned documentation requirement.

Travelers from India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and several African countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, are barred from entry. Citizens and permanent residents of Bulgaria, as well as their family members, are exempt from this measure. All permitted travelers must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.

Domestic Restrictions
Authorities have extended the nation's COVID-19 State of Emergency (SoE) and related domestic restrictions until at least July 31. The SoE allows authorities to modify COVID-19-related restrictions and allocate resources on short notice.

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. 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.