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🇷🇺 Does a Russian need a visa for Bulgaria 🇧🇬?
Yes. Russian passport holders need a visa for Bulgaria, applied for at an embassy or consulate of Bulgaria before travelling.
Checked against Wikipedia's list of visa requirements for Russian citizens on 2026-10-04. Entry rules change: confirm with the embassy of Bulgaria or its official government website before you travel.
Bulgaria is in the Schengen Area. A short-stay Schengen visa issued by any of its 29 member countries covers all of them for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; apply to the country where you will spend the most time, or to your first entry country if the stays are equal.
What this means for your trip
You apply at an embassy, consulate or authorised visa centre of the destination, usually with an application form, passport photos, bank statements, travel itinerary and accommodation bookings.
Processing takes days to weeks, and some embassies require an interview; start the application well before your trip.
Your passport should normally be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date and have blank pages for stamps; many countries apply this rule.
Where to apply in Russia
If you live in Russia, visas for Bulgaria are issued by its missions there. Many of them use an outsourced visa application centre: the mission's website says where to apply and which office covers your region.
- Embassy of Bulgaria, Moscow · mfa.bg
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
Bulgaria at a glance
Capital: Sofia · Currency: Euro (EUR, €) · Official languages: Bulgarian · Calling code: +359
U.S. State Department travel advisory for Bulgaria: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (updated 9 October 2025). It is written for U.S. citizens; read the advisory before you book.
Plugs and voltage
Your plugs fit: every plug type used in Russia (C, F) works with sockets in Bulgaria. Mains voltage differs (Bulgaria: 230 V; Russia: 220 V): most phone and laptop chargers accept 100–240 V, but single-voltage devices such as some hair dryers need a converter.
More about entering Bulgaria →
Your embassy in Bulgaria
If your passport is lost or stolen, or you need help in an emergency in Bulgaria, contact the embassy of Russia:
- Embassy of Russia, Sofia · bulgaria.mid.ru
Missions from Wikidata (CC0), checked 2026-09-26. Addresses and opening hours change: check the mission's website before you go.
Easier destinations near Bulgaria for Russian passport holders
- 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina — Visa-free 30 days
- 🇲🇪 Montenegro — Visa-free 30 days
- 🇷🇸 Serbia — Visa-free 30 days
- 🇦🇱 Albania — e-Visa
The other way round
🇧🇬 Bulgarian passport holders visiting Russia: Bulgarian passport holders need a visa for Russia, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa before travelling.
The Russian passport at a glance
All destinations for Russia passport holders → · Who needs a visa for Bulgaria →
Questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?
Russian passport holders need a visa for Bulgaria, applied for at an embassy or consulate of Bulgaria before travelling.
Does a Bulgarian need a visa for Russia?
Bulgarian passport holders need a visa for Russia, and it can be applied for online as an e-Visa before travelling.