BG
Bulgaria
Recent reports of entry without significant problems.
Based on 4 reports. Score 0.63 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. How scoring works
What to expect
Only two firsthand reports are available, both land crossings, and both travelers were admitted without problems.34 One traveler crossed by tour bus around 2021 with a marked passport; officers photocopied the passport and let them through.4 The other, reported in February 2025, entered by car with an unmarked passport while working in the region and had no issues.3
Written by an AI model from the reports below on September 19, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.
Law restricts entry for people with criminal records
Bulgaria must refuse a visa or entry to foreigners convicted of intentional offences that Bulgarian law punishes with at least a year's imprisonment, with no time limit unless rehabilitated. Sex offences and registries are not named; border officers have discretion, and entry may be allowed on humanitarian or state-interest grounds.
Does this apply to you?
It applies if any of these is true:
- Conviction for an intentional offence committed in Bulgaria that under Bulgarian law is punishable by not less than one year's imprisonment, at any time, unless rehabilitated
- Conviction in the state of nationality or habitual residence for an intentional publicly prosecutable offence where Bulgarian law provides imprisonment of a minimum of one year for the same type of offence, at any time, unless rehabilitated
Read the law itself before relying on this. Sentence length usually means the sentence imposed, not the time served, and a suspended sentence often counts.
Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria (ДВ No. 153/1998, as amended), Art. 10(1) items 6 and 26; waiver at Art. 10(2); border refusal at Art. 16(2) · mandatory · waiver available
We haven't confirmed this citation against the official text yet.
Last checked against official sources on September 21, 2026.
- Закон за чужденците в Република България (consolidated text) · Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Republic of Bulgaria
- Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code) · EUR-Lex, European Union
Common questions
Can registered sex offenders enter Bulgaria?
It's rated Open: Recent reports of entry without significant problems. Of 3 trips reported in the last two years by people on a US registry, 3 ended in entry and 0 in refusal.
Do Bulgaria's border officers know about US registrants in advance?
In 1 report, officers appeared to know before the traveler arrived, which usually points to a US advance notification (often called Angel Watch).
How do travelers usually arrive in Bulgaria?
Reports on file describe 2 by air, 2 by land. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.
- 1Jun 2026
Admitted after questioning · By air, Sofia
They were interviewed firmly and had their luggage searched for over an hour on arrival in Sofia, with officers focused on general security rather than registration, and were then admitted.
PFR Guide · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 2Jun 2025
Admitted, no issues · By air, Sofia
Two agents in Sofia made friendly conversation about their travel plans and admitted them without difficulty.
PFR Guide · Forum post · Firsthand
- 3Feb 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · Over land
The traveler entered by car with an unmarked passport while working in the region and had no problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 42021
Admitted, no issues · Over land, land border (tour bus)
The traveler entered by tour bus about four years earlier with a marked passport; officers photocopied the passport but admitted the traveler without further issue.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand