The visa-free stay (90/180 days) in Bulgaria for third-country nationals can no longer be extended
Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area led to a number of changes in immigration law, some of which went almost unnoticed. One of these is the elimination of the option to extend the visa-free stay of third-country nationals.
Today we will focus on the issue faced by third-country citizens who are eligible to visit Bulgaria without a visa. These are citizens of countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and others. Following the latest amendments to the Foreigners Law and its Implementing Regulations, the option to extend a visa-free stay has been abolished.
What has changed, and can foreigners extend their visa-free stay in Bulgaria and in the Schengen Area?
Let’s take a look at what the old provision of the Foreigners Law stipulated regarding the extension of the allowed period of stay for foreign nationals in Bulgaria who are exempt from visa requirements. The now-repealed provision of Art. 27, par. 2 of the Foreigners law read as follows:
Cancelled!
The period of stay for persons who have entered the country under the visa-free regime may be extended once by the administrative authorities responsible for the control of foreign nationals on humanitarian grounds related to exceptional circumstances, or where there is a public interest, in accordance with the procedure set forth in the regulations for the implementation of the law.
Art. 27, par. 2 of the Foreigners Law – cancelled!
In other words, under the repealed law, foreign nationals from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, Ukraine, and others were able to extend their visa-free stay in Bulgaria once.
However, with the amendments to the Foreigners Law published in Issue No. 52 of the State Gazette on June 27, 2025, the text of Art. 27, par. 2, now reads as follows:
Current!
The validity period and/or duration of stay under a Schengen visa may be extended to 90 days within a 180-day period if the foreign national provides evidence of serious personal reasons justifying the extension of the validity period or the duration of stay. A fee is charged for extending the validity period of a visa.
Art. 27, par. 2 of the Foreigners Law
As can be seen from the new version, the Bulgarian Foreigners Law now provides for the extension of a Schengen visa, rather than the extension of a visa-free stay.
The Implementing Regulations to the Foreigners Law
It should be noted that the relevant provision of Art. 11, par. 2, of the Regulations to the Foreigners Law was also repealed, in accordance with the amendments to the Foreigners Law. The old provision was repealed in State Gazette No. 109 of 2025:
Cancelled!
In exceptional circumstances, where there are humanitarian grounds or reasons of national interest, the administrative authorities responsible for the control of foreign nationals may extend the period of stay for foreign nationals who have entered the country under the visa-free regime for short-term stays.
Art. 11, par. 2 of the Regulations to the Foreigners Law – cancelled (State Gazette, No. 109 of 2025 г., in force from 20.12.2025)
For assistance
If you are a third-country national and are eligible for visa-free entry into Bulgaria and the EU, but wish to stay in Bulgaria (and the Schengen Area) for more than 90 days, you can contact us for assistance. Despite the new regulations, legal options are available. However, a comprehensive approach and professional assistance are required.
author: Alexander Dobrinov