The third country nationals who are holders of Schengen visas are benefitting from a visa-free regime in Bulgaria which allows them to enter and reside in the country for up to 90 days in 180-days period. Before it was possible to travel to Bulgaria after obtaining of a Schengen visa, without the necessity to have a prior trip to a Schengen country.
The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria has recently adopted a change in the visa-free regime and now it is required that before the trip to Bulgaria, the traveler, who holds Schengen visa valid for multiple entries, has visited at least one Schengen country on the ground of the same Schengen visa.
EY Bulgaria prompts its clients to review the upcoming trips of third country nationals to Bulgaria in order to confirm that their travel documents are well in order in view of the update in the legislation.