Bulgaria
ISO Code: BG
visitbulgaria.com- Member of Schengen Agreement
- Visa: Required
- Vaccination: None Required
- Capital
- Sofia (SOF)
- Dialing Code
- + 359
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +2
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October: UTC / GMT +3
- Language
- Bulgarian
- Best Time to Go
- April - October & mid-December - March
- Currency
- Lev (BGN)
Travel Tips
- Bulgaria is a largely cash-only economy, although credit cards are become increasingly more accepted
- Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, but bottled water is available
- April – Mid-October for beach resorts (June – early September is peak tourist season, April – mid-June is the best time to visit for good weather and low season rates)
- Mid-December – March is the best time for skiing (peak season at the ski resorts is Christmas/ New Years and February – Mid-March)
Last updated 2 November 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
1071 Stanza Bopape Str, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
Telephone: 012 342 3720
Hours (consular): Monday - Friday, 09:00-12:00 (appointments are required)
E-mail: Consular.Pretoria@mfa.bg
Web: www.mfa.bg
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
March: 3
April: 10 - 13
May: 1, 6, 24, 25
September: 6 - 7, 22
November: 1
December: 24 - 26, 28
2027
January: 1
March: 3
April: 30
May: 1 - 3, 6, 24
September: 6, 22
November: 1
December: 24 - 28
Visa Application Centre
VFS Global
Tel: 012 425 3051
Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/bgr/
- Cape Town: 2 Long Street, 8th Floor, Cape Town
- Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize), Essenwood
- Johannesburg: 2nd floor Rivonia Village Office Block, cnr Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Rivonia
- Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders
Bulgaria is a member of the Schengen Agreement
- If you intend to visit only Bulgaria, you must apply at the Embassy of Bulgaria
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
Requirements:
In addition:
- A photocopy of the first page of the foreign travel document
- A photocopy of the last Bulgarian and Schengen visas or visas for the UK and the US, if any
- Biometrics and visa application to be submitted via VFS Global
Visa Processing Time
At least 15 calendar days before the intended visit. Not more than 6 months before the visit.
Visa Validity
No more than 90 days in any 180-day period
Visa Cost
Adults: EUR 90
Children (6-12): EUR 45
Children (under 6): Free
VFS Service Fee: R644
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory Travel Vaccines:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
Representation accredited from Athens, Hellenic Republic (Greece)