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Testing requirements to enter Bulgaria?

Last activity 04 October 2021 by denerobt

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Guest8769

Hi all
I’ve just found this forum while searching for information about entering Bulgaria via a green list country from the UK (i live in London, would travel via Germany as I’m German).

Now I’m still a bit confused as to whether a PCR test is required in addition to proof of vaccination. I found local travel advice pages which claimed pcr wasn’t required anymore for fully vaccinated people. On here on the other hand i see various posts suggesting everyone does need to do one, even those vaccinated. Could anyone point to a reliable source of information about this? Of course I’d be on the safe side doing the PCR but the detour alone costs me £200 more than planned..

Lastly, did anyone experience any problems when showing the NHS vaccination certificate?

Appreciate your advice, thanks a lot!

Guest8769

[Post deleted]

Guest8769

Ah, thank you very much, that clears it up. PCR it is then :)

Guest8769

[Post deleted]

Guest8769

Ah really? No need to quarantine on arrival? That would be ideal!

Guest8769

So proof of vaccination plus antigen test = sorted, brilliant

gwynj

The Bulgarian quarantine is actually a pretty great deal, as you can go straight to the hospital for a Rapid Antigen Test on your first day back, which then ends quarantine (if it's negative). Usually this test is around 30 leva or so here.

Guest8769

That’s great. In this instance I’ll want to sort  everything before arrival because I have to travel on to the countryside right away :)

latics24

I flew from Bulgaria to the UK and back in Sept with no problem after a lot of help from people on this site. Now I need to fly again for 7 days. It will be the same going to the UK. A rapid antigen test and a 2 day test after arrival. I thought new rules meant I needed yet another test to get back in but reading these posts it seems I don't. I have Bulgarian recidency and twice I decided to do the 10 day quarantine as I live in a hill top village and 10 days is no problem. This last time I was visited by the local police just once on the 6th day to make sure I was at home. Just my personal update but that is good news you can still choose between the test on arrival or the quarantine. I am not vaccinated so always need to check and the gov.uk site isn't worded very clearly (to me anyway).

latics24

You can have the cheaper antigen test after you arrive. They do them at Burgas Airport car park and email the result to the email address they give you if you don't want to quarantine. It was 49 lev at Burgas but will be different in other places I guess.

CharlotteB18

Hello everyone going for Covid test today in Romania, very unsure of the rules. I’ve been told PCR is necessary and also for my 4 and 6 year old. Does anyone know if the cheaper anti gen test would be ok? Trying to save on costs. Or if even the kids need to be tested? Everything I read conflicts everything else. We are unvaccinated.   Thanks in advance

loutollhouse

I’m double vaccinated
I have no residency or long term visa and am from uk.
I’m entering Bulgaria via Romania on 14th this month which I’m allowed to do under the Romanian border exemption for red list countries

Do I need a PCR before arriving in Bulgaria or can I do the rapid antigen upon arrival and email the results?

I would love it if someone could clarify this

denerobt

Did this last month. You only need your nhs vaccination certificate. And even then, its not exactly scrutinised. But if you can, print it out in colour as the NHS logo looks more authentic.  I noted those just in black and white were slower to be processed.  Our entry was stamped on the spot.

loutollhouse

And you weren’t asked to take a test or quarantine?

I’m travelling over the land border

denerobt

Nope. That certificate is gold dust for sure.
The only time it was looked at was the easyjet flight desk to come back home. We had recent tests that were put online which helped.

We were asked where we came from, which was Romania,  but they didn't check, not even a flick through the passport for stamps. Asked us what our business was, buying a house, and that was it. Didn't ask us how long we had been in Romania norhow long we were staying.
I always stipulate I'm on business if that helps.

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