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Visa requirements · updated Sep 2026

Do Russia citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?

Visa required

Russia citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSSep 2026
Visa required
Russia → Bulgaria
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Everything for your trip to Bulgaria

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Russia vs Bulgaria: passport comparison

Russia

81

visa-free countries

Global rank: #93 · mobility 125.4

Bulgaria

118

visa-free countries

Global rank: #35 · mobility 167
65

countries both Russia and Bulgaria can enter visa-free together

Russia + Bulgaria: passport compatibility

63%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Russia and Bulgaria travel together — by entry type:

65 both visa-free
24 both visa on arrival
21 both e-visa / eTA
14 both need a visa
73 access differs

Where Russia and Bulgaria can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (65)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Your odds of getting the visa: Russia → Bulgaria

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

3,4%
of Bulgaria visa applications refused in Russia
-11,1 pp below the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused less often than average
-0.6 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 4.0%, now 3.4%
27,423applications filed
26,006visas issued
925refusals
#92strictest of 118 countries
Where Bulgaria visa applications are filed: MoscowSt. Petersburg

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in Russia — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: Russia → Bulgaria

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Russia → Bulgaria rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

4rule changes for the Russia passport, 4 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

Bulgaria: good to know

Sofia

Capital

Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Currency

Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

Time zone

+359

Calling code

Where else Russia goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for Bulgaria

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Russia citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?
Russia citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Russia or Bulgaria?
The Bulgaria passport is stronger: 118 visa-free countries versus 81. Global rank: Russia #93, Bulgaria #35.
Where can Russia and Bulgaria citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 65 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for Bulgaria?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Russia and Bulgaria?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Sep 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Russia passport ranking

Where else the Russia passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport