New Covid-19 Rules for UK Travellers to Bulgaria and Back
If you’re a UK national travelling UK to Bulgaria, then you need to make sure you read this — Latest post update 19th January 2022. For entry into Bulgaria you need:
a vaccination certificate (Bulgaria will accept either certificate of completion of a two dose vaccine course (Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Covishield, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik) or a certificate of receipt of a one dose vaccine (Janssen, Johnson & Johnson). In both cases immunisation must have been completed 14 days prior to arrival;
OR
a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 (either PCR or rapid antigen test dated at least 11 days, but no more than 180 days, before arrival into Bulgaria, in English).
AND
a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry – this should include name, date of birth, details of the medical institution and date and time of the sample in English;
- Children aged 11 and under do not require a PCR test: read this
- From 19th January, 12-18 year olds will now only need to show a negative PCR test. ❄️ Rules for 18+ unchanged. But new detail on how to show evidence of previous infection.
- https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19
- You cannot use an NHS test for your PCR test. You must use a private test provider.
If you’re a UK national travelling from Bulgaria to UK, then you need to do the following from 04:00 7th January 2022
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
You must self-isolate and take a LFD (Lateral Flow Device) test before the end of day 2 after you arrive (lateral flow tests will not be accepted) – updated 6th January 2022
You can leave self-isolation if your PCR test result is negative
- Complete the Passenger Locator Form before leaving Bulgaria
- Take your day two PCR test within two days of returning to the UK (excludes under 5s)
WHEN DEPARTING BULGARIA NO PRE DEPARTURE TEST IS REQUIRED
The EU has adopted the UK’s NHS Covid Certificate as equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. The decision ensures it will be automatically accepted across Europe. Bulgarian Ministry of Health has also confirmed that UK’s NHS Certificate meet the necessary requirements and will be recognised both for entry into the country and for domestic measures on the territory of Bulgaria.
Children under 12 are exempt from quarantine and the requirement to present Covid-19 documents upon their arrival in Bulgaria, regardless of what colour zone they have travelled from.
More info on entering Bulgaria
From 19 January 2022, children aged 12 to 18 must either:
- Present a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours before entering Bulgaria. This is regardless of nationality and/or residence or colour zone of the country they are travelling from.
- Or, if they do not have a negative PCR test, they must self-isolate upon arrival for 10 days. This 10-day self-isolation period can be shortened if they take a PCR test no earlier than 72 hours after their arrival in Bulgaria and the result is negative. The self-isolation requirement will be lifted the day following the registration of the negative result.
Bulgarian nationals and permanent and long-term residents, as well as their family members who present only one of the above listed documents – a certificate of vaccination or recovery or a negative PCR test, are allowed to travel but, must self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival. This 10-day quarantine period can be shortened if they perform a PCR test no earlier than 72 hours after their arrival in Bulgaria. If the result is negative, quarantine will be lifted from the day following the registration of the result.
Bulgarian nationals and permanent and long-term residents, as well as their family members who do not present any of the above listed documents – a certificate of vaccination or recovery or a negative PCR test, will be allowed to enter Bulgaria. However, they will be required to complete a mandatory 10-day quarantine which cannot be ended early through testing.
Only Bulgarian nationals and permanent and long-term residents, as well as their family members, will be allowed to enter from the following countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini and Zimbabwe. They will be subject to a mandatory 10-day self-isolation and a mandatory antigen testing upon entry.
Foreign students holding a type ‘D’ visa for long-term residence for study purposes are eligible to enter Bulgaria from any country, subject to holding the COVID-19 documentation detailed above.
Family members are defined by Bulgaria’s immigration rules, depending on whether the UK nationals are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement or not.
Pre departure (Fit2Fly) PCR and day two rapid flow test companies
Chronomics, Rapid Flow: £17.09 No code – automatic discount
Eurofins (option of testing at Asda car parks throughout the UK. Results within 24 hours and open on a Sunday). Discount code: BA2021. PCR: £40
Randox Health: Test at home. Many places to drop your test off. Not good if you live in a remote area. Discount Code: easyjet2021. PCR – £43 Rapid flow: £21.50
Halo: Spit test that arrives by courier and picked up by courier. Great if you liver in a remote area or don’t have time / don’t want to leave home. rapid flow from £25.
Click here to compare and check latest deals on tests.
UK Government Travel Portal for Bulgaria. Always check this site
https://www.facebook.com/UKinBulgaria – British Embassy in Sofia
http://bulgarianembassy-london.org/covid-19/covid-19_prevencia/?fbclid=IwAR0chVyiAa5yAlbHz8sKOwIQvWUQvk1pgaWu9smqVJQ5U9wkijbtEoauDTg– Bulgarian Embassy in London
https://coronavirus.bg/bg/1175 in Bulgarian – Caution unreliable info
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk – Passenger Locator Form for travel to the UK
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/how-to-find-the-cheapest-private-coronavirus-tests-for-travel/ – finding cheapest PCR and lateral flow tests
Bansko PCR test Centres: locations and nearby alternatives
COVID-19 restrictions in the UK vary according to the region. The full details on what you can and cannot do are available at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please note that different rules apply in England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Wales: https://gov.wales/coronavirus
Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19
100% cancellation refunds with Bansko Blog
Click here to book you private transfer, ski hire and lessons. You should have proper winter insurance. You can get insurance that covers you in case of illness (including covid) and illness abroad.
When booking on Bansko App and here on Bansko Blog you pay just 20% of the ski hire upfront and the remainder in the shop. You receive a 100% refund for cancellations made before the day of arrival in Bansko. Lessons are refunded 100% if you pre pay the 3% cancellation insurance at the time of booking.
Transfer payment is made to your driver. But please notify if you need to cancel. Failure to do so makes you still liable for charge.
“All affected Bansko Blog clients in March 2020 when the pandemic hit received 100% refunds. All of these were made promptly and within ten days.”
Lance Nelson
I believe this is the simplest and fairest way for Bansko visitors to ensure their travel is financially risk free.
Travel insurance companies have lots of small print. Reading them carefully is advisable but does not change the fact that, in the past, Bansko travellers did not receive full refunds from travel and ski hire companies when their Bansko’s trips were cancelled. Bansko Blog and our partners operate under a code of practice that is built upon integrity and leads the way for being open, honest and fair. This is why our regular clients recommend us to their friends.
For maximum protection book your flight with a credit card. Then click here for your private transfer where all drivers where a mask and are fully vaccinated. You can then buy you ski and snowboard hire and lessons closer to departure time on our main booking form.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing that, should covid regulations change, your risk of loss is minimal.
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Hi. I believe the entry requirements have now changed from 1st Feb and only a vaccination certificate is required?