Compare travel insurance for Bulgaria from £4.67^
Key takeaways:
The average cost of travel insurance for Bulgaria is £19.42
^ Travel insurance can protect you if you need medical treatment, your holiday is cancelled, or your belongings are lost or stolen
You will need extra cover if you’re going on a winter sports trip
Do I need travel insurance for Bulgaria?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to Bulgaria is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost, damaged or stolen.
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 500,000+
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2025The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528
^ In contrast, you can find travel insurance to Bulgaria from just £4.67
^ a day
Bulgaria hosts major events throughout the year, including the Surva Kukeri Festival in January, the Bansko ski season from December to April and the Bansko Jazz Festival in August. Travelling during these events can mean busy transport and winter sports activities, so travel insurance can help cover delays, cancellations or medical emergencies.
Bulgaria travel advice
Still current at: 1 Jul 2026
Bulgaria follows Schengen area rules, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or short stays, but ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. A new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented, which may require registering biometric details like fingerprints and a photo upon entry, potentially causing longer wait times at borders. While there's no recent history of terrorism, it's advised to stay aware of your surroundings, and be mindful of petty crime in tourist areas, including pickpocketing and scams, especially in larger cities and resorts.
Bulgaria follows Schengen area rules, allowing visa-free travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or short stays, but ensure your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. A new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being implemented, which may require registering biometric details like fingerprints and a photo upon entry, potentially causing longer wait times at borders. While there's no recent history of terrorism, it's advised to stay aware of your surroundings, and be mindful of petty crime in tourist areas, including pickpocketing and scams, especially in larger cities and resorts.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
What type of travel insurance do I need for Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is covered under European travel insurance policies. The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to Bulgaria only
If you are only visiting Bulgaria, choose single-trip travel insurance and select Bulgaria as your destination.
One trip to Bulgaria and other countries
Combining a holiday in Bulgaria with visits to other countries, perhaps a backpacking trip around Eastern Europe?
Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don't head home in-between countries. For that you need multi-trip insurance
You are not away for a long time (policy dependent, but usually a month). For that you need backpackers’ insurance
You will need to choose European cover for Bulgaria but if you're travelling to countries outside of Europe, you'll need worldwide cover.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for Bulgaria?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to Bulgaria is £11.46
Traveller(s) | 7 day trip | 14 day trip |
|---|---|---|
Individual | £7.47 | £23.87 |
Couple | £13.59 | £38.70 |
Family | £14.60 | £31.62 |
Group | £22.51 | £34.78 |
The figures in this table are averages of the costs paid by MoneySuperMarket customers over the last three months.
Can I get last minute travel insurance for Bulgaria?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your holiday to Bulgaria.
What should my travel insurance policy for Bulgaria include?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost luggage (including your passport)
Theft including pickpocketing
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)
🚩 Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
What isn't covered by travel insurance for Bulgaria?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Medical care in Bulgaria
British citizens can get some necessary state healthcare in Bulgaria for free or at a low cost with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
However, the UK government and the NHS advise that Britons with GHICs still take out comprehensive travel insurance when they visit Bulgaria, as the health insurance cards do not cover all medical situations and costs.
Will my EHIC/GHIC cover me in Bulgaria?
Yes, you can still use Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) or unexpired European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) to get some free healthcare in Bulgaria.
GHICs are replacing EHICs, which will be phased out as they expire. UK residents can get a GHIC for free from the NHS website. The cards are valid for up to 5 years.
Can I get travel insurance for Bulgaria if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Do I need a visa to visit Bulgaria?
You will not need a visa for visiting Bulgaria if you have a full UK passport. You are allowed into Bulgaria, or any country within the Schengen area, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
During this time you can visit as a tourist, see family and friends, attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
Do I need vaccinations to visit Bulgaria?
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Bulgaria, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.
It’s also advised to have the Tetanus vaccination. Some tourists also have the following vaccinations before arriving in Bulgaria: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B.
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
What travel insurance do I need for skiing in Bulgaria?
Your standard travel insurance policy will not usually cover you winter sports such as skiing. You will need to buy an add-on to make sure you’re covered for skiing, or any other winter sports activity such as snow boarding.
This add-on will also cover you for things like your equipment and any days when you’re not able to get out on the slopes.
The average price our customers currently pay for insurance with winter cover is £39.40
What travel insurance do I need for hiking in Bulgaria?
You may need to buy adventure sports cover for hiking in Bulgaria. Standard travel insurance policies often will not cover more extreme activities like rock climbing, mountaineering or hiking above a certain height or in riskier locations.
You can add adventure sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Where can I get cheap travel insurance for Bulgaria?
With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 42 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5
Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub
💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub.
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