The basics for Bulgarian travellers
Bulgaria is one of the European Union countries on New Zealand's visa-waiver list. If you're a Bulgarian citizen travelling on a Bulgarian passport, you can visit New Zealand without a visa for tourism, family visits, business meetings and short courses.
Since 1 October 2019, visa-waiver travellers must hold an NZeTA before boarding a plane or cruise ship to New Zealand. You apply online, and the New Zealand immigration authorities decide whether to approve it. Once approved, it is valid for up to 2 years and for as many visits as you like, each of up to 90 days.
Common misunderstandings
"My ID card is enough."
Not for New Zealand. Your лична карта works in Europe, but you need a passport for the NZeTA and the journey.
"EU citizens can stay as long as they like."
No. EU free movement doesn't apply in New Zealand. The limit is 90 days per visit.
"I can pick up casual work."
No work is allowed on an NZeTA. Business meetings and conferences are fine. Paid jobs are not.
"Children travel on our NZeTA."
Every child needs their own NZeTA, linked to their own passport. You can add them to one application.
Cyrillic and Latin names
Bulgarian passports show your name in Cyrillic and in Latin letters. The NZeTA form only accepts Latin letters, and the version that matters is the one in the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the photo page.
Transliteration from Cyrillic is not always consistent. For example, a surname ending in -ов may appear as -OV, and letters like ж, ц, ч, ш and щ become ZH, TS, CH, SH and SHT. If your bank card, airline booking or old passport uses a different spelling, follow the current passport, and ask your airline to correct the booking if necessary.
Enter your patronymic (middle name) if it appears in the given names part of the machine-readable zone. Leaving it out can cause a mismatch at check-in.
Before you start your application
| Passport | Bulgarian passport valid for at least 3 months after your departure from New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Photo | A recent, clear photo of your face against a plain, light background |
| An address you check regularly. Your decision is sent here. | |
| Payment | A Visa, Mastercard or American Express card that works for online payments abroad |
| Trip details | Your approximate travel dates and reason for travel |
If you have dual nationality, decide which passport you'll use. The NZeTA is linked to one passport number only.
Apply for your NZeTA in about 10 minutes
Fill in the online form
Add contact details and each traveller's passport information. Up to 10 travellers fit on one application.
Answer the eligibility questions
Questions about health, character and previous immigration problems. Honest answers help avoid delays.
Upload a photo for everyone
A phone photo is fine if it is sharp and well lit.
Pick your speed and pay
Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) or Rush (12–24 hours).
The fee includes the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Current prices are on our fees page. Before submission, our team checks your application for common errors.
Apply for a New Zealand eTA from Bulgaria
Flights from Sofia
New Zealand is about as far from Bulgaria as you can travel. There are no direct flights. Most Bulgarian travellers fly from Sofia, Varna or Burgas to Istanbul, Dubai or Doha, then take a long-haul flight to Auckland, sometimes with another stop in Asia or Australia. Expect a journey of 25 to 35 hours.
Your NZeTA must be approved before you check in for the first flight. If you're breaking the journey in Australia, apply for the Australian authority too.
Seasons are reversed. The Bulgarian winter, from December to February, is summer in New Zealand. If you're visiting in July, pack for winter, especially in the South Island.
Arrival day in New Zealand
Your NZeTA allows you to travel, and the border officer at the airport decides whether you can enter. Have these ready:
- Your passport
- Return or onward ticket
- Evidence of funds for your stay
- Accommodation booking or host's address
- Your completed New Zealand Traveller Declaration
Biosecurity: homemade lyutenitsa, sirene, kashkaval, lukanka, honey and fresh fruit or vegetables must be declared. New Zealand inspects food carefully, and undeclared items can lead to an instant fine.
For more on what you can do during your visit, see the tourist NZeTA guide and the business guide. Travelling with friends from Romania or Greece? Their rules are similar. When you're ready, start your NZeTA application.
Bulgarian travellers' FAQs
No. Bulgarian citizens can visit New Zealand without a visa for up to 90 days. You must have an approved NZeTA before you travel.
No. The identity card is for travel within Europe only. You need a Bulgarian passport valid for at least 3 months after you leave New Zealand.
Always use the Latin spelling printed in the machine-readable zone of your passport. That is the version airlines and border systems check.
No. New Zealand sets its own rules. Bulgarian citizens are visa-waiver travellers in their own right, with the same 90-day limit as most other European countries.
You can't work on an NZeTA. If you receive a job offer, you need to apply for a work visa, and you shouldn't start work until it is granted.
Up to 2 years from approval, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. It covers multiple visits during that time.