What awaits you in Bulgaria
Sofia is a calm capital with the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Mount Vitosha above it; Rila Monastery sits with its painted arcades among the mountains, the Seven Rila Lakes shine in summer, old Plovdiv keeps its Roman theatre, and the Black Sea coast runs through Nessebar and Varna. Summer is for the mountains and the sea, winter for skiing in Bansko. Bulgaria has been a full Schengen member since January 2025, so its visa is valid for the rest of the Schengen area.
Required documents
- A passport valid for at least 3 months after your return date (and 5 years to get the five-year visa), with two blank pages
- Two recent 3.5×4.5 cm passport photos on a white background
- Return flight booking and hotel bookings for the whole stay
- Travel insurance covering the whole trip, at least €30,000 in the Schengen area
- Bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months
- A salary certificate or commercial registration, and a leave permit for government employees
- For children: birth certificate and parental consent if a parent isn't travelling with them
- For residents who aren't Saudi citizens: an iqama valid for at least 3 months after your return date, an exit and re-entry visa covering the trip, and bank statements for the last 6 months
How it works with us
- You tell us your city and dates; we confirm Bulgaria is your main destination and book your appointment
- We prepare your flight, hotel and insurance bookings and check your file page by page
- You attend the appointment in person to submit your documents and fingerprints from age 12 (unless they were taken in the last 59 months)
- We follow up your application until you receive your passport with the visa
Important tips
- Apply to Bulgaria if it's where you'll spend the most nights; if the nights are equal, apply to the country you enter first.
- The ordinary Saudi passport doesn't show the place of birth, so add a copy of your national ID card or birth certificate translated into English.
- Your employer's letter must be attested by the Chamber of Commerce, and a national address certificate is also requested.
- Renew your passport before applying if it's valid for less than 5 years, so you can get the five-year visa.
- Since 10 April 2026 your photo and fingerprints are taken at the Schengen border on your first entry (the EES system) instead of a passport stamp, so allow extra time at the airport.
Schengen visa
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Bulgaria visa fee for Saudis?
€90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12, and free for children under 6, plus the visa centre's service fee.
Where do I apply for a Bulgaria visa in Saudi Arabia?
VFS Global centres for the Embassy of Bulgaria in Riyadh, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, by appointment.
Can a resident of Saudi Arabia apply for a Bulgaria visa?
Yes, from the Kingdom at the same centres, with an iqama valid for at least 3 months after the return date, an exit and re-entry visa, and bank statements for the last 6 months; the embassy decides based on nationality and file.
Is Bulgaria in the Schengen area?
Yes, it became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025, and its visa is valid for every Schengen country as long as Bulgaria is your main destination.
How long does a Bulgaria visa take from Saudi Arabia?
Usually up to 15 days, in a few cases up to 45, plus two days for applications made in Jeddah and Dammam, so apply at least 15 days before you travel.
What are the best places in Bulgaria?
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Rila Monastery, the Seven Rila Lakes, old Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo and Nessebar on the Black Sea.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; fees and requirements are set by the official authorities and may change. The decision to grant a visa rests with the embassy or consulate alone; our role is to prepare your file and follow it up.