Bulgarian visa for South African citizens
A visa is REQUIRED for South African passport holders visiting Bulgaria for tourism and business purposes. See detailed requirements below:
Visa requirements:
| Visa type | Purposes | Visa requirements | Allowed stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa | For South African citizens to enter Bulgaria for a short-term tourism purpose. | Visa required | N/A |
| Evisa | Bulgaria e-visa for South African citizens | Not Available | |
| Visa on arrival | Bulgaria visa on arrival for South African citizens | Not Available | |
Bulgaria tourist visa requirements:
- Holding South African passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay in Bulgaria.
- Proof of onward travel (departure) from Bulgaria.
If you are looking for Bulgaria visa information, such as available types of visas, or how to apply from South Africa, we recommend you visit or contact the embassy or consulate of Bulgaria nearest your place of residence.
- Pretoria: The Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria, South Africa (Working hours: Close now)
Bulgaria visa applications & requirements (For reference purposes only, please visit the nearest Bulgaria diplomatic mission offices to South Africa for guidance)
Tourism Statistics Chart
The line chart shows the number of visitors from South Africa traveling to Bulgaria from 2008 to 2018.
| Year | Number of visitors (South Africa) estimated | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 47,974 | N/A |
| 2009 | 47,634 | -0.71% |
| 2010 | 50,190 | 5.37% |
| 2011 | 52,522 | 4.65% |
| 2012 | 54,290 | 3.37% |
| 2013 | 57,253 | 5.46% |
| 2014 | 60,681 | 5.99% |
| 2015 | 58,922 | -2.90% |
| 2016 | 68,492 | 16.24% |
| 2017 | 73,729 | 7.65% |
| 2018 | 76,966 | 4.39% |
References: UNWTO.org, World Bank and multiple sources. (This data is for informational purposes only. Please see our disclaimer page for more information.)
Bulgaria & South Africa comparison
Bulgaria's area is approximately 108,560 km2 (41,915 sq mi), while the area of South Africa is approximately 1,213,090 km2 (468,376 sq mi). This means South Africa is 11.17 times bigger than Bulgaria.
As of October 2025, Bulgaria's population is ~6.7 million people - 56,413,094 fewer people than the population of South Africa.
We have highlighted Bulgaria & South Africa’s relative positions on world's map for your reference.
| Bulgaria | South Africa | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (est 2025) | 6,691,352 | 63,104,446 | 56.4 million fewer people live in Bulgaria than South Africa |
| Number of diplomatic missions abroad (est) | 155 | 124 | Bulgaria has 31 more diplomatic representations abroad compared with South Africa. |
| Travel freedom (2025) | 129 | 67 | Bulgaria passport holders can visit 62 more countries and territories without a visa. |
| Number of foreign missions hosted | 164 | 197 | Bulgarian hosts 33 fewer foreign missions than South Africa. |
Frequently asked questions, answered
How many visitors from South Africa travel to Bulgaria in one year?
The number of visitors from South Africa visiting Bulgaria in 2018 was approximately 76,966.
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- Cook Islands
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- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
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- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
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- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- Gabon
- Gambia
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- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
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- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
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- Jamaica
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- Kosovo
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Today’s Forecast
| 28.79°C | ||
| Humidity | 60% | |
| Wind | 5.05 km/h | |
| Sunrise | 10:19 AM | |
Useful Information
- Sofia to Pretoria: 7333.77 km (4556.99 mi)
- Travel time: 15 hours 16 minutes
This page was last updated on: October 2025