Bulgarian visa types: the difference between C and D
The document you need to enter Bulgaria follows from the purpose of your stay, not its length. Someone visiting and someone relocating do not go through the same door: the first falls under the short-stay Schengen visa, the second under the national long-stay D visa. Getting that distinction right at the outset is cheaper than an application filed under the wrong procedure.
Visas and residence · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16
Why visas split into two families
The split comes from whose rules govern the visa. A short-stay visa is governed by common EU visa legislation: Bulgaria issues it as part of the Schengen area, and the document is valid in the other member states too. A long-stay visa is a national document — its conditions, its grounds and its document list are set by Bulgarian law. That is why "I have a visa" says nothing on its own; which one it is changes everything.
What a short-stay visa (C) is for
Schengen legislation defines a short stay as no more than 90 days in any 180-day period, and that count is shared across the whole area. Tourism, family visits, business meetings, short courses and trade fairs all fall here. A short-stay visa confers no right to paid work and cannot serve as the basis for a residence application. Airport transit is a separate category covering only the transit zone.
What a long-stay visa (D) is for
The D visa is the first step for someone intending to settle. It does not grant residence in itself; it is the precondition for the residence permit application. It is issued on grounds such as work, study, family reunification, retirement or long-term commercial activity, and only by Bulgaria's diplomatic missions abroad. Once in the country, the holder applies for residence domestically, at the Migration Directorate.
| Short-stay (C) | Long-stay (D) | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Common EU visa legislation | Bulgarian national law |
| Where it is valid | The whole Schengen area | Bulgaria; also permits short trips within the area |
| Typical purpose | Tourism, visits, business meetings, short courses | Settlement, work, study, family reunification |
| Link to residence | None | Precondition for a residence application |
| Where you apply | Consulate or an authorised visa centre | Only at a Bulgarian mission abroad |
Who may enter without a visa
- For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens the concept of a visa does not apply; entry rests on the right of free movement.
- Nationals of third countries on the EU visa-exemption list may come for short stays without a visa.
- Holders of a valid visa or residence card issued by another Schengen state generally need no separate visa for a short trip.
- None of these exemptions creates a right to work; paid employment always requires a separate authorisation.
Visa-free is not the same as work-permitted
Where applications are filed
Both types are applied for abroad at Bulgarian consular missions; in some countries appointments and document intake run through authorised visa centres. The list of required documents depends on the ground of application — work, study and family reunification each need a different file. Verify the current list and the appointment channel on the page of the mission that covers you.
This page gives no fees or timescales
This is not legal or financial advice
Frequently asked questions
Can I arrive on a tourist visa and then switch to residence in Bulgaria?
As a rule, no. A residence permit application is built on a long-stay D visa; a short-stay visa is not part of that chain. Exceptions are narrow and case-specific, and should be confirmed with the consulate or a lawyer.
Can I work on a short-stay visa?
No. A short-stay visa is for visiting and grants no right to paid work. Employment requires a separate authorisation procedure and usually obligations on the employer's side as well.
What can I do if my visa application is refused?
A refusal is notified in writing with reasons, and the appeal route is stated in the decision itself. Before reapplying, it is most practical to remove the ground for refusal so the same outcome does not repeat.
Sources
The information on this page is based on the official sources listed below. Legislation changes — open the links and verify the current position.
- Министерство на външните работи — консулски услуги и визи — https://www.mfa.bg/ · 2026-08-16
- Avrupa Komisyonu, İçişleri — Schengen, sınırlar ve vize politikası — https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa_en · 2026-08-16
- Avrupa Komisyonu — Göç Portalı — https://ec.europa.eu/immigration/ · 2026-08-16
- Lex.bg — Bulgaristan mevzuat veri tabanı — https://www.lex.bg/ · 2026-08-16
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