Bulgaria: What Taxpayers Need to Know After the Euro Changeover
The annual campaign for filing personal income tax returns under Article 50 of the Personal Income Tax Act is underway
Photo: Stella Ivanova
Greek tourists continue to show a steady interest in Bulgaria, with travel combining both leisure and religious motives. According to tour operators, the easing of cross-border travel has further encouraged this trend, making Bulgaria an increasingly attractive destination for visitors from the south.
A recent analysis by the Institute for Marketing and Analysis at the Ministry of Tourism highlights that nearly one million Greek citizens have visited Bulgaria in the past two years. Most of these trips were timed around public holidays, with many opting for short spa retreats or visits to coastal cities along the Black Sea.
Religious and cultural tourism also plays a significant role. Organized bus tours to monasteries and churches remain a popular choice, especially among groups. During the colder months, ski resorts such as Bansko and Pamporovo are a major draw, while in recent years spa towns like Velingrad and Hisarya have been gaining attention as well.
At the same time, Greeks are known to favor European destinations like Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands for their travels. Over the last year, good flight connections, diverse cultural attractions, and affordable prices have also increased interest in trips to Poland and the Czech Republic.
With Bulgaria now a member of Schengen, travel has become more convenient. Tourists from Greece no longer face long delays at the border, which, according to travel agencies, has further boosted short visits and weekend breaks in Bulgarian destinations.
Foreign travel activity picked up noticeably toward the end of 2025, with both outbound trips by Bulgarians and inbound visits by foreigners posting their strongest growth in months, according to data from the National Statistical Institute.
Tourism can play a central role in boosting Bulgaria’s overall economic development, but this requires a clearly defined long-term strategy, particularly when it comes to cooperation with neighboring countries.
Wizz Air has announced a major expansion of its operations in Bulgaria, unveiling plans to base an eighth aircraft at Sofia Airport and launch five new direct routes starting in summer 2026.
A regular railway connection between Sofia and Thessaloniki will be restored next year, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov announced during the first working meeting between Bulgaria, Greece, Roma
The introduction of the euro in Bulgaria’s tourism sector is unfolding calmly and without disruption, according to Rumen Draganov, director of the Institute for Analysis and Forecasts in Tourism
Bansko has been named the most affordable ski destination in Europe, according to the latest EasyJet index, which evaluates costs including lift passes, equipment rental, accommodation
Novinite 2025 in Review: A Year That Tested Bulgaria and the World
A Disgraceful Betrayal: Bulgaria's Shameful Entry into Trump's Board of Peace