Bulgaria has changed the rules for entering the country with Schengen visas. Now foreigners with “unopened” Schengen are not allowed into the country.
According to the decision of the Bulgarian authorities, published on the official government portal “Darzhaven Vestnik”, entry with Schengen visas into the country is possible only after at least a single entry on such a visa to any country in the Schengen zone.
It is specified that such changes are valid from April 21.
The “Visas” section of the embassy’s website states that “holders of a double or multiple entry Schengen visa are only entitled to enter the Republic of Bulgaria if the double or multiple entry Schengen visa has been used at least once to enter a Schengen country.”
Previously, any holder of a multiple or double-entry Schengen visa could visit Bulgaria before entering the Schengen area.
Similar rules now apply to visas issued by Cyprus and Romania: before entering Bulgaria with such a visa, you must enter the country that issued it at least once.