Entry rules: Bulgaria inside Schengen

Bulgaria joined the Schengen area in two stages. On 31 March 2024, controls at internal air and sea borders with Bulgaria and Romania were lifted and Schengen rules began to apply. Then, following a decision by the EU Council on 12 December 2024, both countries became full members on 1 January 2025, and checks at internal land borders ended too. With them, the Schengen area covers 29 countries.

In practice this means there are no routine passport checks when you drive or take a train from Bulgaria into Romania or Greece, both of which are in Schengen. The UK Foreign Office still advises carrying your passport on those crossings, because border guards may check it. For crossings from Serbia, North Macedonia or Turkey, check the current border rules before you travel.

Bulgaria follows Schengen rules on passports. For British passport holders, the UK Foreign Office says the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and must expire at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Passports renewed before 1 October 2018 may carry an issue date more than ten years old even if the expiry date looks fine.

You will be refused entry with a passport reported lost or stolen. Within Schengen there are no routine checks by air or sea, but carriers usually ask for official photo ID, and in Bulgaria you should carry ID at all times; the Foreign Office says a printed copy of your passport photo page is acceptable for that.

The EU's Entry/Exit System is being implemented across the Schengen area and replaces passport stamping for short stays. On your first entry you may be asked to register fingerprints and a photo at a booth before the immigration desk, and you may need to give a fingerprint or photo again when you leave. Registration is free. Children aged 11 or younger are not fingerprinted but may be photographed.

You do not need to do anything before you travel, but the UK Foreign Office advises allowing extra time at the border, especially when leaving by air, because checks may take place before the departure gate. The digital record is valid for three years. If you think your days have been recorded wrongly, raise it with border officials on your next crossing and bring evidence.

Bulgaria applies EU customs rules. You cannot bring meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries from outside the EU, with exceptions such as powdered baby milk and some medical foods. Declare cash or travellers' cheques worth EUR 10,000 or more on entry; if you do not, the money could be seized when you leave. Goods that may be prohibited or taxable must be declared.