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Travel Updates & FAQs

28th April - Bulgaria removes all Covid requirements

From 1st May, all travel restrictions and requirements will be lifted for Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Government has announced that travellers will no longer need to show tests or certificates upon entry into the country.

1st April  - UK removes last of the Covid restrictions

Bulgaria has changed the requirements whilst in the country. It is no longer a requirement to wear a mask in indoor places. It is recommended though in hospitals, on public transport and in crowded places.

There is no requirement for social distancing.

Entry requirements remain the same, you will need a valid vaccination certificate to enter, a negative covid test or evidence of a prior infection.

18th March  - UK removes last of the Covid restrictions

If you are entering the UK from 04:00hrs on 18th March there will no longer be a requirement to complete the Passenger Locator Form, take any form of testing or quarantine on arrival.

1st February - Bulgaria Relaxes Entry for Travellers

From 1st February, entry to Bulgaria has relaxed for arrivals from the UK. After 1st February, if you qualify as fully vaccinated, you will only need to provide one of the following documents:

A valid covid vaccination certificate
Evidence of prior covid infection
A negative covid test (PCR taken maximum 72hrs prior to arrival or rapid antigen taken maximum 48hrs prior to arrival).

On return to the UK, all testing requirements are no longer in place as long as you qualify as fully vaccinated. This will come into effect from 04:00hrs on 11th February 2022.

11th January 2022 - Winter Holidays Update

Entering Bulgaria
There has been an update to the entry requirements to Bulgaria from Friday 7th January 2022, all passengers aged 18 and above must present a certificate of full vaccination/ valid EU digital COVID-19 certificate of vaccination AND a negative result from a PCR test taken a maximum of 72hours prior to entry to Bulgaria (not departure from the UK). Free NHS tests are not valid for travel only those from an authorised laboratory for travel purposes.

If you are travelling with children -
All children under 12 are exempt from covid testing to enter Bulgaria.

Children aged 12-17 years can enter Bulgaria with only a negative PCR Test taken a maximum 72 hours prior to arrival.

Please ensure your PCR Test is valid for travel and a certificate issued for this purpose from an authorised laboratory.

Returning to the UK from 4am on 7th January
If you qualify as fully vaccinated you do not need to take a Covid-19 test prior to arrival in the UK only a PCR Test on or before Day 2 of your return.

Returning to the UK from 4am on 9th January 
If you are fully vaccinated and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can take only a lateral flow test after your arrival. If the test is positive, you will need to self-isolate and take a free confirmatory PCR test. You must book the test before you travel to England and proof will be needed to complete the Passenger Locator Form. You can book lateral flow tests from 4am Friday 7 January. Children aged 17 years and under will follow the rules as if fully vaccinated.

We advise you to refer to the following information prior to your return to the UK: Visit the  following link for returning to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-194
and if you are returning to Northern Ireland via the following link https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice#toc-1

29 November 2021 - Holiday Update

Balkan Holidays Partners with Randox for Testing Discount!

From 1st December 2021, for Bulgaria, all adults should either be double vaccinated or have valid proof and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival in Bulgaria. On return to the UK you should book and have proof of a reservation for the relevant return to UK testing to be taken on or before Day 2 of your arrival back in the UK. Balkan Holidays has now partnered with Randox Testing to make the process a little easier for you, of course you can decide on your own testing arrangements but please ensure they comply with all Government Requirements. With discount code "Balkan43" you will receive a discount on checkout from the Randox website. The code is valid for all package holidays and flight only bookings (lease ensure you enter the dates required or code may not work). Full details for entry requirements can be found below for all of our destinations along with return requirements to the UK. We would advise to constantly monitor the UK Government advice as you approach your departure date.

Bulgaria
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria/entry-requirements
Slovenia
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovenia/entry-requirements
Croatia
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements
Montenegro
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montenegro/entry-requirements

On return to the UK in addition to the Day 2 testing a Passenger Locator From should be completed which can be found by navigating to the following link: Passenger Locator Form
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk

You may not be provided with a boarding pass until you can show your completed Passenger Locator From at the check in on your return flight.

Step 1
Review the Government website for the current entry requirements to your destination and return to the UK, and ensure you have sufficient validity on your passport.

Step 2
Book, take and return your tests taking relevant documentation to the airport with you

Step 3
Complete the Passenger Locator Form for your return journey 48hours prior to your return to the UK

Step 4
Ensure you have your Day 2 test booked with a reference number, or be ready to be tested at the airport on return

Step 5
Take your Day 2 test, return and follow any Government Advice.

Demonstrating Your Covid Status
Bulgaria will accept your proof of recovery and vaccination record as long as you are travelling with a proof of vaccination status which must be printed and dated after 1st November 2021. You cannot use an NHS appointment card as proof of vaccination..

Please visit our  to see how to arrange your travel test(s).
https://www.balkanholidays.co.uk/holiday_information/covid-testing-requirements.html
11 October 2021 - Summer & Winter Holidays Update

Great News! Travel restrictions from UK to Bulgaria have been lifted!
UK holidaymakers get the green light to travel to Bulgaria.

From 10 October 2021, the temporary restriction on citizens of Great Britain and Northern Ireland have been lifted. Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and members of their families arriving from Great Britain and Northern Ireland will now be able to enter Bulgaria again. The entry requirements will be proof of a valid EU digital COVID certificate for vaccination or disease or similar document, along with a negative result from a PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before entering the country.

Children under 12 will be exempt from any of the requirements regardless of the country they will travel from.

We would advise to follow the official Government Advice for the most up to date information - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria

If you have a refund credit note, you can redeem this via our call centre or by booking online and then calling to redeem it. We appreciate all your support during these difficult times and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Bulgaria again.
1 July 2021 - Summer Holidays Update

Due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the travel requirements relating to the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation, it is with regret that we inform you that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel all of our Bulgaria charter flights, flight only, and package holidays departing from 1st August 2021 up to and including 27th September 2021.

It is important for us to be able to deliver your holiday and for you to enjoy a well-deserved break summer holiday without having to be concerned about the possible restrictions for entry and exit for each country in terms of quarantine on return and any additional costings for the testing that may be necessary. We are therefore inviting you to rebook your holiday, flight only booking, or your accommodation only booking for Summer 2022 or if you fancy swapping the beach for the slopes, you can also use this opportunity to book a Winter 2021/22 or Winter 2022/23 holiday. In these difficult times, it is good to have a future holiday to look forward to and re-booking will give us the opportunity to support our partner airlines, hotels, overseas colleagues and all other suppliers we rely on to make your holiday a great success. As a thank you for your continued support we are offering an additional 5% off the new holiday cost if you re-book with us.

Very soon, we will be sending you a Refund Credit Note to the value of your payments against the cancelled booking. This can be used to rebook your travel arrangements, safe in the knowledge that it is fully ABTA and ATOL protected. Full instructions on how to use the Refund Credit Note will be sent along with it. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we can provide you with your much looked forward to holiday.

As we are sure you can appreciate during this difficult time our call centre and social media teams are extremely busy so please bear with us. All available options and details will be clearly explained in the information provided alongside your Refund Credit Note.

We appreciate your continued support and understanding and hope that you, your family and friends remain safe and well during this challenging period. Together we will get through this and soon we will be able to once again visit the wonderful beach resorts we all love and enjoy.

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