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Bulgaria, the land of roses and ancient history, has officially joined the Schengen Area. So, if you're finally taking the plunge and planning that long-awaited trip to Bulgaria, then congratulations! This land of ancient wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture is about to become your reality.
But before you start packing those bags, let's tackle the first hurdle: the Schengen Visa for Bulgaria for an Indian citizen.
Yes, Indian citizens do need a Schengen Visa to enter Bulgaria. This applies to travellers visiting for tourism, business, or other short-term purposes. Since Bulgaria has joined the Schengen Zone, the visa rules align with the rest of the Schengen countries. So, with a little preparation and the right information, navigating the visa process can be a breeze.
No, there's no e-Visa or visa-on-arrival facility for Indian travellers to Bulgaria. You'll need to secure your Schengen Visa before stepping foot on Bulgarian soil.
Now, here's something crucial: travel insurance is a must. Think of it as your safety net during your travels. Schengen regulations demand that you have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation. This means that if you fall ill, get injured, or need to be brought back home unexpectedly, your insurance will have your back.
The following are the types of visas for Bulgaria you can apply for from India:
To be eligible for a Bulgarian visa as an Indian citizen, you generally need to fulfil the following criteria:
The specific documents required may vary slightly depending on your purpose of travel. Below is the common document checklist. Visit our ‘How to apply for Schengen Visa’ article for a detailed list of required documents.
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First, select the visa type you want to apply for Bulgaria. Once done, follow the below step-by-step process:
Log in to the official website of VFS Global for Bulgaria visa applications from India.
Choose a preferred Visa Application Centre (VAC) based on your residential address.
Complete the visa application form with personal details, travel plans, and passport information. If you cannot apply online, you can use the Form Filling Service at the Visa Application Centre.
Print your completed application form and bring it along with the required documents to your scheduled appointment at the VAC. Attend your interview and provide any additional information if requested.
Pay the visa application fee during your appointment and save the receipt for future reference.
After completion of visa application, track its status online to check if your passport is ready for collection.
Visa processing times can vary, but it's advisable to apply at least 30 days before your intended travel date as it might take 15 to 30 days to be processed. In some cases, processing may take longer, so early application is recommended.
A detailed table for visa fees for Bulgaria short-stay visa is given below:
Note: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules, the country in which you apply, the local currency and currency exchange rates. As of 23rd January 2025, the exchange rate for €1 is ₹91.
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A few people who are exempted from the fees include:
If your application for Bulgaria visa from India is rejected, you will have the chance to re-apply after a certain period. You’ll be notified about your visa rejection by the application centre.
Approximately 15.7% of the total Schengen visa applications by Indians were rejected in 2024. Which means around 15 out of every 100 applicants from India were denied a Schengen visa. So, to improve the chances of your visa approval, it’s crucial to maintain 100% accuracy in your application and meet all requirements such as documentation, biometrics, etc.
Extending a Schengen Visa within Bulgaria is generally not possible. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a visa extension before your current visa expires in some exceptional cases.
Getting Travel Insurance for Bulgaria from India is not only a smart and important decision to make, but it is also mandatory according to the Schengen visa requirements. Apart from the obvious reasons that travel insurance can protect you in case of emergencies, it is also necessary to own a document that safeguards your finances when you are abroad.
Getting travel insurance from Digit can be your good bet because not only do we provide a comprehensive plan that abides by the Schengen visa requirements, but you can avail yourself of an all-round plan at affordable premiums starting from ₹515 only.
You can read through our coverages before picking the right plan for your trip. Below, we’ve detailed out a simple gist of the most important covers you must have in your travel insurance.
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Disclaimer -
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions mentioned in your policy schedule and policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.
The information mentioned here about the countries, visa fees and others is taken from different sources. Digit Insurance is not promoting or recommending anything here. Please verify the same before you book your tickets, apply for a visa, buy a travel policy or make any other decision.
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