Bulgarian passport in 2025: one of the best for travel

The Bulgarian passport continues to strengthen its position in the world ranking of prestigious documents for international travel. In 2025 it took 13th place in the Henley Passport Index, sharing it with the Principality of Monaco. Such a high status confirms that Bulgarian citizens have wide access to international travel with minimal visa restrictions.

Visa-free opportunities and visa requirements

The ranking is calculated based on the number of countries you can travel to without a visa, as well as the possibility of obtaining a visa on arrival. The Bulgarian passport grants its holders the right to visit 177 countries without applying for a visa in advance.

• Visa-free entry is available to most European countries, South America, as well as to certain Asian states.
• A visa on arrival can be obtained in 50 countries, which significantly simplifies travel.
• An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required in a number of states.
• Applying for a visa in advance is necessary in only 26 countries, which makes the Bulgarian passport one of the most convenient for travellers.

The Bulgarian passport compared with world leaders

The leader of the Henley Passport Index for 2025 remains Singapore – its citizens can visit 193 countries without a visa. It is followed by Japan and South Korea with 190 countries, while in third place are Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland and Spain (189 countries).

Other countries with the greatest freedom of movement:

• 4th place – Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal (188 countries).
• 5th place – Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland (187 countries).
• 6th place – Australia, the United Kingdom (186 countries).

The least mobile passports:

At the very bottom of the list are the states with the strictest travel restrictions:

• Syria – 27 countries.
• Afghanistan – 25 countries.
• Iraq – 30 countries.
• Yemen, Pakistan – 32 countries.
• North Korea, Eritrea – 40 countries.
• Sudan, Sri Lanka, Iran – 42 countries.

Why is the Bulgarian passport attractive to foreigners?

The Bulgarian passport is one of the most accessible EU passports, granting not only the right to visa-free travel but also a wide range of advantages:

• EU citizenship – freedom of movement, the ability to live, work and study in any country of the European Union.
• Economic advantages – Bulgaria offers favourable tax rates for individuals and legal entities.
• Dual citizenship – Bulgaria allows its citizens to hold several passports, which makes it convenient for expats and investors.

How to obtain Bulgarian citizenship?

For those considering obtaining a Bulgarian passport, there are several routes:

• Through naturalisation – after five years of residence with permanent residence status.
• Through marriage – if one of the spouses is a Bulgarian citizen.
• By descent.

If you would like to learn more about the options for obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence or Bulgarian citizenship, the specialists at the Bulgaria Avenue real estate agency will help you navigate all the nuances, prepare the documents and make the process as comfortable as possible.