In connection with preventive measures introduced by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, disinfection zones have been designated at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport.
Passengers are required to pass through a specialized disinfection mat for shoe disinfection, in accordance with the instructions shown on the signage.
The measure has been introduced in order to limit the risk of spreading foot-and-mouth disease following officially announced outbreaks in Greece and Cyprus.
Used disinfectant:
Passengers are kindly requested to follow the signage and on-site instructions.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new system of the European Union that automatically registers non-EU nationals each time they cross the external border of the Schengen Area – including when entering or leaving Bulgaria by air. This system replaces the stamping of passports and significantly simplifies border checks, making the process faster and more efficient.
The system will launch on 12 October 2025 and applies to travelers who are not EU citizens and are entering the Schengen Area for short stays – up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This applies to both travelers who require a visa and those who are visa-exempt.
Important: Registration in EES is not required for Bulgarian citizens, regardless of whether they are arriving from a non-Schengen country.
When crossing the border, EES collects information such as:
name, date of birth, nationality, and gender;
passport details;
biometric data – facial image and/or fingerprints;
date and place of entry or exit;
and, if applicable, refusal of entry.
When you arrive at the airport and pass through border control, you will need to present:
your valid passport;
and provide biometric data (facial image and/or fingerprints), if required.
If you have a biometric passport, you may use the special automated self-service kiosks located in the border control area. These machines will scan your passport and record the data directly into the system. A border officer will then verify the data and approve your entry.
You no longer need a stamp in your passport.
Avoid long queues and unnecessary waiting.
The border crossing process becomes faster and easier.
You can always check how many days of your permitted stay remain.
As of 31 March 2024 Bulgaria is a full member of the Schengen area by air and water. Here’s what’s important to know when travelling through Sofia Airport. If you are a departing passenger: When travelling to a Schengen member country, you check in your luggage, after which there is only security and customs check/for non-EU countries-Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein/and for passengers travelling to third countries via a Schengen member country. You then head to your departure gate without going through passport control. Border Police will also not require written parental consent for the departure of Bulgarian minors at internal air and sea borders travelling to Schengen countries. It remains compulsory to carry an identity document. If your destination is to a non-Schengen country, the travel procedure remains the same as before – check-in, security check, customs control and passport control. If you are an arriving passenger: If you are arriving at Sofia airport from a Schengen member country, after landing the plane you go directly to collect your luggage if you have checked it, without going through passport control and then you go through customs control for passengers arriving from non-EU countries-Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein-and for passengers arriving from third countries via a Schengen member country.
Departure: Before your trip, check which terminal your flight departs from. We advise you to comply with the requirement of the airlines and be at the airport two hours before the flight, as CAA recommends to be at least two hours and thirty minutes before the flight. Arrival: On arriving at Sofia Airport, you need to be aware of the visa requirements for entry in Bulgaria. For transfer flights, please make your way to the transfer point following the signage. If you have any disability or experience mobility difficulties, and wish to travel by air, Regulation 1107/2006 guarantees you relevant assistance, depending on your needs, at the airports of the European Union.
Departure: Check-in counters are located in the public departure areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and open two to three hours before the scheduled departure time, depending on the requirements of the airline. Check the electronic monitors for the number of the counter serving your flight. If you have checked in for your flight in advance and you have a print-out of your boarding pass,, you can hand in your luggage at the designated Baggage Drop-Off counter for your flight, where it will be labelled. The airline carrier’s size and weight requirements for checked-in and hand baggage must be met. Arrival: The baggage reclaim areas are immediately after the passport/visa control desks. Please refer to the information on the displays above the conveyor belts to find out where your baggage will arrive. Make sure that the baggage you receive is your own. In case your baggage does not arrive or upon arrival you establish any damage to or missing items from it, please refer to the Lost & Found desk which servicesh your carrier to Sofia Airport. In case you have already left the airport, you should directly refer to the airline within 7 days considered from the date of your journey. We recommend that you familiarise yourselves with the rules for transportation of baggage published by your airline on its website.
Departing passengers and their hand baggage are subject to a thorough check for items prohibited for carriage on board the aircraft or for compliance with restrictions on the carriage of liquids, aerosols and gels in hand baggage. Restrictions do not apply to products purchased from shops after the security checkpoints, nor to certain medicines and foodstuffs. Detailed information can be found at the links below: SECURITY REQUIREMENTS LIST OF PROHIBITED ARTICLES LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS IN CHECKED BAGGAGE PERMITTED EXTERNAL BATTERIES IN CABIN BAGGAGE
Airlines: Air France, British Airlines; Enter Air; Israir; Wind Rose; European Air Charter; BH Air; Pegasus Airlines; Corendon Airlines;
Terminal 1
Airlines: Onur Air; BH Air; European Air Charter; Eurowings; Pegasus Airlines; VBB – Alk JSC; Corendon Airlines; Sunexpress
Airlines: Bulgaria Air; Air Haifa; Air Serbia; Arkia, El Al; Qatar Airways; Austrian Airlines; Gullivair; Lufthansa; Swiss International Airlines
Airlines: Ryanair; Turkish Airlines; Aeroflot; Olympic Air; LOT; TAROM; Fly Dubai
Terminal 1
Airlines: Easy Jet, Wizz Air
Sofia Airport offers a dedicated Prayer and Meditation Room, where travelers can find peace and fulfill their spiritual practices. The room is located on Terminal 2, Level 0, beside the baggage check-in counters, providing easy access and privacy.
This serene space is ideal for taking a moment to pause and reconnect amidst the hustle and bustle of the airport. It reflects Sofia Airport’s dedication to accommodating the diverse needs of its passengers.
Traveling with young children can be challenging, but Sofia Airport ensures the comfort of parents and their little ones. Located on Terminal 2, Level +1, before Gate B6, the Baby Care Room provides a cozy and quiet space for parents and their babies.
The Baby Care Room is part of Sofia Airport’s commitment to offering family-friendly facilities that combine practicality and comfort. Travelers can rest assured that they will find the necessary conditions to care for their little ones in a pleasant and accommodating setting.
Take advantage of the Baby Care Room to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Departure: Customs and passport control desks are located after the security checkpoints for passengers and their hand luggage. It is your responsibility to inform yourself in advance of the customs and passport/visa requirements of the countries you are travelling to. Pay attention to the validity of your documents. The border control counters at Sofia Airport Terminal 2 are equipped with mobile boarding pass readers. Arriving passengers: Border control points are located in the path of the arriving passenger who passes through them immediately before entering the checked baggage claim area. Terminal 2 also has 8 desks for electronic passport control, which can be used by EU citizens holding a biometric passport. Arrival: ALL ARRIVING PASSENGERS GO THROUGH THE PASSPORT / VISA CONTROL POINTS. Terminal 2 also has 8 desks for electronic passport control, which are usable by EU passengers with biometric data in their passports. We recommend that you familiarise yourselves in advance with the passport and visa requirements for entry and stay in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Specific requirements in force for passengers who travel unassisted. PASSENGERS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY If you have a disability or reduced mobility and wish to travel by air, Regulation 1107/2006 guarantees you assistance tailored to your needs at European Union airports. Аs a licensed airport operator, SOF Connect AD provides assistance to all departing, arriving or transit / transfer PRM passengers free-of-charge. The assistance will be adapted to your mobility in a way prescribed by the Quality Standards. QUALITY STANDARDS National Enforcement Body concerning the rights of disabled persons when travelling by air – CAA
Who is the programme for? The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme supports passengers with non-visible disabilities – physical, mental health, cognitive, respiratory, sensory, neurological or other chronic conditions. How does it help? Wearing a Sunflower lanyard is entirely voluntary and is an internationally recognised symbol that you may need more time, clearer instructions, assistance or simply a little more patience from our colleagues. How to get a Sunflower lanyard? If you or someone you are travelling with has a non-visible disability and you are flying through Vasil Levski – Sofia Airport, you can receive a Sunflower lanyard free of charge from a Security staff member at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, without needing to present medical documentation.
If your journey continues on another flight after you land at Sofia Airport, please see the up-to-date flight information and follow the signage to your gate. If necessary, please refer to the transfer desk. Do not forget to reclaim your baggage unless it was checked-in earlier to your final destination. If your departure terminal is different from your arrival terminal, you can use the free inter-terminal transport service after passport and customs control. Ask your airline in advance about any details of transfer between an international and domestic flight.
Information about any customs limitations or goods, money or other valuables subject to declaration upon entry in the country, is obtainable from the Customs Authorities. Your specific inquiries you may also refer to tel:
Up-to-date and useful information about the city of Sofia and its surroundings, arriving passengers may obtain from the official website of Sofia Municipality or from tourist information desks in the public areas of Terminal 1. www.visitsofia.bg/en