Bulgaria opens borders for certain categories of Russian citizens

Bulgaria has clarified the latest changes in the rules for foreigners. The innovations do not concern Russian tourists. From July 16, Bulgaria is ready to allow visiting the country only for certain categories of citizens of the Russian Federation.

Bulgarian Health Minister Kirill Ananiev signed an order that allows citizens of the EU (excluding Sweden and Portugal), Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and 21 countries outside the EU to enter Bulgaria without a 14-day quarantine and virus test (this list includes Ukraine).

The new rule, which is valid until July 31, 2020, also allows third-country nationals to enter the country without quarantine, but with document of negative virus test, made 72 hours before visiting.

However, we are talking only about certain categories of citizens: these are family members of Bulgarian citizens, persons with a residence permit in Bulgaria and the EU countries, health workers, seasonal workers, employees involved in transport, diplomats.

Thus, for Russians who want to visit Bulgaria with tourism purposes, the borders of Bulgaria, as well as the external borders of the EU, remain closed.

Bulgaria adheres to the general recommendations of the European Union regarding the resumption of tourist traffic with Russia, although the Bulgarian authorities have repeatedly asked Brussels to allow entry of citizens of the Russian Federation and other countries.

Currently, the Bulgarian visa centers in Russia remain closed.