Entry rules · Somalia passport

Do Somalia passport holders need a visa for Bulgaria?

Yes. Somalia passport holders need a visa for Bulgaria, applied for before travel.

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026. Two independent checks agreed.

The rule

Entry
Visa required. Apply for a visa before you travel, with a visit in person: to a consulate or visa centre, or to give fingerprints.
Status
Verified 12 Oct 2026
Official source
EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU): Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 30.12.2025
Applies to
A short tourist visit with an ordinary Somalia passport.

What the official sources say

The passages the two checks relied on, with where they come from. Quotes are shown as published, in the source’s language.

Entry: visa required

Nationals of third countries listed in Annex I shall be required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States.

EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU): Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 30.12.2025 · Article 3(1) · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

LIST OF THIRD COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A VISA WHEN CROSSING THE EXTERNAL BORDERS OF THE MEMBER STATES

EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU): Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 30.12.2025 · Annex I, title · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

Senegal Somalia Suriname

EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU): Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 30.12.2025 · Annex I, part 1 · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026
More quotes (22)

Applicants shall appear in person when lodging an application for the collection of fingerprints, in accordance with Article 13(2) and (3) and point (b) of Article 13(7).

EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), consolidated text 28.06.2024 · Article 10(1) · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

At the time of submission of the first application, the applicant shall be required to appear in person.

EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), consolidated text 28.06.2024 · Article 13(2) · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

Under this key policy, all 29 countries in the Schengen area apply the same visa rules.

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Visa policy · What is EU visa policy? · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council in respect of Somalia

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · title · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

This Decision shall apply to nationals of Somalia who are subject to the visa requirement pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/1806.

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · Article 1(1) · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

The application of the following provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 shall be temporarily suspended:

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · Article 2 · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

meaning that the standard processing period would be 45 days; the issuing of multiple-entry visas in accordance with Article 24(2) and (2c)

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · recital 5 · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

This Decision shall take effect on the date of its notification.

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · Article 3 · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

Publications Office of the EU (Cellar): Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1454 of 25 June 2026 on the suspension of certain provisions of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 in respect of Somalia (OJ L, 30.6.2026) · recital 9 · Law, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

Based on the notifications from Member States until 2 October 2026

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · sheet Recognitions, row 2 · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

SOMALIA | BNL | BG | CZ | DK | DE | EE | EL | ES | FR | HR | IT | LV | LT | HU | MT | AT | PL | PT | RO | SI | SK | FI | SE | IS | NO | CH/LI

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · row 2380 · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

Ordinary passport / Baasaboor | | | | | C9 | C | | | C | | C1 | | | | | C2 | | C | | | C7 | | | | C8 |

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · row 2381 · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C (with comments) | The new travel document issued as from 1/2/2007 are recognised

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C (EE, FR, PT) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C1(with comments) | The documents are recognised if emitted after 01/02/2007 and they can be issued or extended by Somali government or Somali diplomatic/consular authority.

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C1 (IT) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C2(with comments) | This no longer covers passports or documents in lieu of passports issued or extended by a Somali diplomatic or consular authority or post after 31.01.1991. Travel documents are only recognised if issued before 31.01.1991

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C2 (AT) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C7(with comments) | If issued in Mogadishu or by a Somali diplomatic or consular authority since 01/01/2014

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C7 (SK) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C8(with comments) | recognised if issued since 01/01/2014

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C8 (NO) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

C9(with comments) | recognised for exit to return to Somalia

European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs: Travel documents issued by third countries and territorial entities (Part I), XLSX, notifications until 2 October 2026 · SOMALIA, comment C9 (DE) · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

ANNEX I LIST OF THIRD COUNTRIES WHOSE NATIONALS ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A VISA WHEN CROSSING THE EXTERNAL BORDERS OF THE MEMBER STATES 1. STATES Afghanistan Armenia Angola Azerbaijan Bangladesh Burkina Faso Bahrain Burundi Benin Bolivia Bhutan Botswana Belarus Belize Democratic Republic of the Congo Central African Republic Congo Côte d'Ivoire Cameroon China Cuba Cape Verde Djibouti Dominican Republic Algeria Ecuador Egypt Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Fiji Gabon Ghana The Gambia Guinea Equatorial Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Indonesia India Iraq Iran Jamaica Jordan Kenya Kyrgyzstan Cambodia Comoros North Korea Kuwait Kazakhstan Laos Lebanon Sri Lanka Liberia Lesotho Libya Morocco Madagascar Mali Myanmar/Burma Mongolia Mauritania Maldives Malawi Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Nepal Oman Papua New Guinea Philippines Pakistan Qatar Russia Rwanda Saudi Arabia Sudan Sierra Leone Senegal Somalia Suriname South Sudan São Tomé and Príncipe Syria Chad Togo Thailand Tajikistan Turkmenistan Tunisia Turkey Tanzania Uganda Uzbekistan ▼M6 Vanuatu ▼B Vietnam Yemen South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe 2. ENTITIES AND TERRITORIAL AUTHORITIES THAT ARE NOT RECOGNISED AS STATES BY AT LEAST ONE MEMBER STATE ▼M3 ————— ▼B — The Palestinian Authority

European Union / EUR-Lex · Annex I, complete list with state and territorial-entity headings · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

Applicants shall appear in person when lodging an application for the collection of fingerprints, in accordance with Article 13(2) and (3) and point (b) of Article 13(7). Without prejudice to the first sentence of this paragraph and to Article 45, applicants may lodge their applications electronically, where available.

European Union / EUR-Lex · Article 10(1) · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

At the time of submission of the first application, the applicant shall be required to appear in person. At that time, the following biometric identifiers of the applicant shall be collected:

European Union / EUR-Lex · Article 13(2) · Law, retrieved 11 Oct 2026

If you are applying for a Schengen visa for the first time, you are required to appear in person to submit your application for the collection of biometric data. The following biometric identifiers shall be collected:

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Embassy Nairobi · Government page, retrieved 12 Oct 2026

Somalia passport in other countries of the Schengen area

Checked together with Bulgaria.

Visa required
Croatia, Estonia, France, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia

Bulgaria for other passports

Free movement
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Visa-freeUp to 90 days in any 180-day period
Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Georgia, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Kiribati, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela
Visa-freeUp to 90 daysPublic data
Japan, South Korea, Uruguay
Visa required
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Visa requiredPublic data
Nauru, Syria, Vietnam

How this rule was checked

On 12 Oct 2026 we checked this rule against official sources, chiefly EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU): Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 30.12.2025, as part of one check of all 29 countries of the Schengen area. Two independent checks reached the same result.

Public visa data (as of 17 Feb 2026) said the same; the check confirmed it.

See this check in the log of checks and changes, and how verification works in the methodology.

Something here is wrong or out of date? Report a wrong rule.

Government travel advice for Bulgaria

United States
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
United Kingdom
No advice against travel
Canada
Exercise normal security precautions

What these governments tell their own citizens about travel to Bulgaria as a whole, as of 30 Sept 2026. It is not about visas, and it reflects each government’s relations and consular reach as well as conditions on the ground.

Plan your trip

Before you travel

Passport validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. It must also have been issued within the last 10 years.

In a justified emergency, border officials may accept a passport with less validity left.

its validity shall extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States. In a justified case of emergency, this obligation may be waived;

Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex consolidated text of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Schengen Borders Code, version 12.10.2025) · Article 6(1)(a)(i) · checked 17 Oct 2026

it shall have been issued within the previous 10 years;

Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex consolidated text of Regulation (EU) 2016/399, Schengen Borders Code, version 12.10.2025) · Article 6(1)(a)(ii)

EES Entry/Exit System

In operation since 12 Oct 2025.

You are registered at the border when you enter. There is nothing to arrange in advance.

Some travellers are exempt, including family members of EU citizens who hold a residence card, holders of a long-stay visa issued by a country that uses EES and holders of a residence permit issued by a country that uses EES.

The Entry/Exit System established by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 shall start operations on 12 October 2025.

European Commission — Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1544 (Official Journal of the EU; Publications Office of the EU / EUR-Lex) · Article 1 · checked 17 Oct 2026

This page answers whether you need a visa and how long you can stay on a short tourist visit. It does not cover other documents or permission to work. Entry rules change, sometimes without notice, and border officials make the final decision: confirm the requirements for your trip with the official immigration website or embassy of Bulgaria.