Bulgaria won't accept NHS app as proof of full vaccination

Bulgaria is current on theUK’s amber list, meaning those arriving from Bulgaria must self-isolate at home for 10 days, and submit to tests on days two and eight of their return.

Last Thursday (1 July), Bulgaria introduced a new classification system for arrivals, sorting source markets into green, orange and red zones.

The UK has been categorised orange, meaning arrivals must meet one of three Covid entry requirements: vaccine certification demonstrating full vaccination against Covid-19 at least 14 days prior to arrival; or evidence of having had Covid-19 and recovered from the infection in the past 180 days prior to arrivals.

The third is a negative test result – this can either be a negative PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival or a repid antigen test taken up to 48 hours prior to arrival.

The FCDO further warns Bulgaria is randomly testing "at least" 5% of all orange zone arrivals using rapid antigen tests; anyone who tests positive from a random test will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.