- Travelers who need a Schengen visa for Bulgaria must purchase travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 in medical coverage.
- Travelers from visa-exempt countries, like the US, UK or Canada, are not required to obtain travel insurance, though it is highly recommended.
- If you are a non-EU citizen requiring a Schengen visa for Bulgaria, you must obtain a travel medical insurance policy before submitting your application.
- If you plan on skiing, snowboarding, or participating in adventure activities in Bulgaria, be sure your travel insurance policy includes an adventure sports add-on.
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Bulgaria?
If you require a Schengen visa for Bulgaria, travel insurance is mandatory. To learn more about policy guidelines and coverage amounts, please visit our Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements page.
For Schengen visa applicants: Travelers completing a Schengen visa application for Bulgaria must purchase travel medical insurance that offers a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage.
For non-visa travelers: Travelers from countries that are visa-exempt, (U.S., U.K., or Canada), do not need travel insurance for Bulgaria, though it is highly recommended due to its trip-related and medical coverage.
Types of Travel Insurance Policies
There are two categories of travel insurance: travel medical insurance and comprehensive travel insurance.
Travel medical insurance has a primary purpose of covering medical situations overseas, from emergency room visits and hospital stays to doctor visits and emergency medical evacuation. If you require a Schengen visa, then travel medical insurance is a requirement.
Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended for U.S. citizens traveling to Bulgaria, and can provide coverage for situations like trip cancellations, delays, interruptions, baggage loss, and offers medical protection.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for U.S. Citizens to Bulgaria
- Best Travel Insurance with Premium Medical Coverage: iTravelInsured Travel LX
- Best Affordable Travel Insurance for Bulgaria: Trip Protection Basic
- Best Travel Insurance for Seniors with Pre-Existing Conditions: Pathway Premium
Travel Medical vs. Comprehensive: What Do They Cover?
The table below shares the benefits that travel medical insurance and comprehensive travel insurance can cover:
| Feature | Travel Medical Insurance | Comprehensive Travel Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | ✓ | ✓ |
| Emergency Evacuation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trip Cancellation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Baggage Loss/Delay | ✗ | ✓ |
| Trip Interruption | ✗ | ✓ |
| Typical Cost | 3-5% of trip | 8-10% of trip |
| Best For | Budget travelers | Full protection seekers |
To decide between one policy or the other, see the differences between travel medical vs. comprehensive travel insurance.
Insurance Costs by Traveler Profile
Below are the predicted travel insurance costs for one week, two weeks, and 30 days, depending on traveler age.
| Traveler Type | 7 Days | 14 Days | 30 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo (25yo) | $27-55 | $49-109 | $87-164 |
| Couple (35yo) | $55-98 | $93-185 | $164-305 |
| Family (4) | $76-142 | $131-240 | $196-360 |
| Senior (65-70) | $65-131 | $109-218 | $164-327 |
| Senior (70+) | $98-196 | $164-327 | $245-490 |
Prices are displayed in EUR and USD. Actual costs will vary depending on provider, age, and coverage amount.
Healthcare Costs in Bulgaria
Bulgaria has Europe's lowest healthcare costs. Private hospitals require upfront payment; travel insurance is essential for foreign visitors.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor Visit | EUR 20-40 ($22-44) |
| Emergency Room | EUR 80-200 ($87-218) |
| Hospital Per Day | EUR 150-400 ($164-436) |
Bulgaria is a medical tourism destination for cosmetic surgery and dentistry (40-60% cheaper than Western Europe). Quality varies widely. If undergoing elective procedures, ensure evacuation coverage of EUR 100,000+ ($109,000+).
Key Health & Safety Risks
Stray Dogs & Rabies
Many stray dogs are docile in Bulgaria, but stray packs can become territorial, aggressive, and unpredictable, especially at night, in less-populated suburban neighborhoods. If you are bitten, licked on broken skin, or scratched by any animal, you must receive Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) immediately. This series of injections is incredibly time-sensitive. Standard travel insurance policies often exclude rabies treatment if they deem you “voluntarily interacted” with wild or stray animals. Ensure your policy covers emergency immunization, emergency room fees, and medical evacuation if you need to be transported to a larger regional hospital.
Road Safety
Outside of the major highway connecting Sofia to Burgas (the Trakia highway), roads frequently suffer from severe potholes, poor lane markings, and a complete lack of street lighting at night. Driving in rural or mountainous areas after dark is highly discouraged due to slow-moving agricultural vehicles, free-roaming livestock, and unlit horse-drawn carts sharing the road. To avoid the risks of self-driving, especially at night, it is best to rely on licensed transport.
Currency & Payment Information
Bulgaria's official currency is the Euro (€). Digital payment infrastructure is robust in Bulgaria's cities, though cash remains far more popular here than in Northern or Western Europe. Major credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, gas stations, and modern restaurants in major cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.
Special Travel Insurance Considerations
Visa Applicants & Adventure Travelers
If you are a non-EU citizen needing a Schengen visa to visit Bulgaria, you must obtain a travel medical insurance policy prior to submitting your application. Your policy should include at least €30,000 in emergency medical coverage and meet all applicable visa requirements, including coverage for emergency medical treatment and repatriation. For complete details, please visit our Schengen Visa Requirements page.
Green Card Holders
Holding a U.S. Green Card does not automatically allow you to enter Bulgaria without a visa. Entry requirements are based on the nationality of the passport you travel with, not your U.S. permanent resident status. Before your trip, check Bulgaria's visa requirements for your country of citizenship to determine whether you need a visa.
Long-Stay Visas (90+ days)
If you plan to remain in Bulgaria for more than 90 days, you will generally need to apply for a long-stay (Type D) visa or the appropriate residence permit. Depending on your visa category, you may be required to show proof of valid health insurance for the duration of your stay. Always verify the specific insurance requirements that apply to your visa before submitting your application.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you can still purchase travel insurance, but it is important to disclose your condition when applying for coverage. Many standard policies exclude pre-existing conditions unless they qualify for a waiver or include limited coverage for the acute onset of a condition. If you anticipate needing ongoing treatment or have complex medical needs, compare policies carefully to find one that offers the level of coverage you need.
Vaccination Recommendations
Before traveling to Bulgaria, it's a good idea to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider or a travel health clinic at least 4 to 8 weeks before departure. They can confirm you're up to date on routine vaccinations, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and tetanus, and recommend any additional vaccines based on your destination.
Before You Go: Safety & Security
Bulgaria is rated Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions, the lowest advisory level. This reflects exceptional safety compared to many Western European countries rated Level 2 due to terrorism risks.
Common safety concerns may include things like petty crime (pickpocketing, bag theft, ATM skimming) in tourist areas and public transport, credit card fraud, or taxi overcharging in tourist zones (use Yellow Taxi from the airport or local apps like Taxime/Volt). Racial incidents and harassment have occasionally been reported. Demonstrations can occur unexpectedly; avoid protest areas.
Pre-trip action: Review the State Department's Bulgaria travel advisory, and register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling to Bulgaria
U.S. Embassy & Emergency Contact
- Address: 16 Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408, Bulgaria
- Phone: 359 2 937 5100
- After-hours Emergency: 359 2 937 5101
- 24/7 US State Department: 1-202-501-4444 (abroad) or 1-888-407-4747 (US/Canada)
Travel insurance can be confusing. Coverage, exclusions, benefits, and policy limits vary from plan to plan, and prices depend on factors such as your age, destination, and trip. Comparing plans is the best way to find the right coverage at the best value. If you're unsure, a licensed travel insurance advisor can help you choose the right policy.
