Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa
A Bulgaria Medical Treatment Visa is issued to foreign nationals travelling to Bulgaria specifically to receive medical therapy or treatment at a Bulgarian medical facility. Depending on the expected length of treatment, this falls into one of two categories: a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for treatment expected to last 90 days or less, or a long-stay Type D visa, issued under Article 15 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, where treatment is expected to extend beyond 90 days.
In both cases, applicants must provide evidence that all medical, transportation, and living expenses during their stay in Bulgaria will be covered, along with documentation from the treating medical facility confirming the diagnosis, the necessity of treatment, and the expected duration. This visa is strictly for the purpose of medical treatment and does not permit employment or other unrelated activities in Bulgaria.
Applications are submitted at a Bulgarian embassy, consulate, or authorised VFS Global visa centre, depending on the visa type. Approval is determined solely by the Bulgarian consular authorities based on the medical and financial documentation provided.
Eligibility
- Applicant must have a confirmed need for medical treatment at a specific Bulgarian medical facility.
- Applicant must provide a letter from the treating facility or physician confirming the diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected duration.
- Applicant must provide evidence that medical, transportation, and living expenses will be covered for the duration of the stay.
- Applicant must hold a valid travel document with sufficient remaining validity.
- Applicant must hold travel/health insurance appropriate to the length and nature of the stay.
- For treatment expected to exceed 90 days, applicant must meet the requirements for a long-stay Type D visa instead of the short-stay Type C route.
Government Visa Fees
| Fee Type | Government Fee (EUR) |
| Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Medical Treatment (≤90 days) | EUR 90 (harmonised EU-wide fee) |
| Long-Stay Visa (Type D) — Article 15(1), Medical Treatment (>90 days) | EUR 100 |
The fee is non-refundable regardless of the application outcome. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances. Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so confirm the current INR equivalent before payment.
Processing Time
For short-stay medical treatment under the Schengen Type C route, decisions are generally made within 15 calendar days of submission, in line with the standard Schengen visa processing timeframe, extendable to 30 or, in exceptional cases, 60 days.
For long-stay medical treatment under the Type D route, Bulgarian consular missions have cited a standard processing benchmark of up to 35 working days. Given the nature of medical travel, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as the treatment plan and supporting medical documentation are confirmed, allowing extra buffer time given the potential urgency of medical needs and the standard consular timelines involved. Information may vary depending on the visa category and individual circumstances.
Required Documents Checklist
Step-by-Step Application Process
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Travelling to Bulgaria for medical treatment involves coordinating documentation from your treating facility alongside standard visa requirements, often under time pressure. Shivansh Consultants offers Documentation Support and a clear Eligibility Assessment to identify the correct visa category — short-stay or long-stay — for your treatment plan.
We provide thorough Application Review, Personalized Guidance, and a Transparent Process to help you move through the application as efficiently as possible. With End-to-End Assistance, we help ensure your medical and financial documentation is complete before submission. We do not guarantee visa approval, as this decision rests entirely with the Bulgarian consular authorities.