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In an important update aimed at improving tourism and relations with Türkiye, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced changes to the visa rules for Turkish citizens. Starting from July 15, 2025, the new rules make it easier for Turkish travelers—especially those with a good travel record—to get a visa to visit Bulgaria.
These measures were introduced in response to a sharp increase in Turkish tourist arrivals in early 2025 and as part of Bulgaria’s long-term goal to become a major hub for regional travel, trade and investment. The new framework is also seen as a preparatory step toward full integration into the Schengen Zone.
Under the new framework, Turkish citizens can now apply for multi-entry tourist visas with an extended period of one year, three years, or up to five years. Previously, most Turkish travelers could only obtain short-term Bulgarian visas valid for three to six months, even with consistent travel histories.
Applicants must have a history of previous Bulgarian or Schengen visas without violations (overstays, denied entries, etc.).
The cascading system will apply:
According to Bulgaria’s Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh, the updated visa policy is part of a broader national strategy to “make Bulgaria more accessible to strategic neighboring markets”, with Türkiye being a top priority.
“We have seen a more than 60% rise in Turkish visitors in the first half of 2025, and we want to continue encouraging that trend. These long-term visa reforms not only support our tourism sector but also reflect the trust we place in our Turkish neighbors,” the minister stated at a press briefing.
The Bulgarian government emphasized that this move aligns with European Commission regulations passed in July 2025, which allowed Schengen states to implement progressive, long-duration visa issuance for Turkish citizens.
According to the Bulgarian Border Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, between January and June 2025:
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