Covid Testing Requirements
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.
UPDATED 15th March 2022 From 18th March 2022
If you will arrive in England from Bulgaria or any of our holiday destinations after 4am, Friday 18 March, the rules have been updated as follows.
- there is no requirement to take any COVID-19 tests – before you travel or after you arrive
- there is no need to fill in a UK passenger locator form before you travel
This will apply whether you are vaccinated or not. You also will not need to quarantine when you arrive. Please always refer to the UK Government website for the latest advice. From 1st February 2022
Anyone over the age of 12 entering Bulgaria from 1st February will be allowed to enter by presenting one of the following documents:
- A covid vaccination certificate
- Evdience of prior covid infection
- A negative covid test (this can be either a PCR Test taken maximum 72hrs prior to arrivel or a rapid antigen test taken maximum 48hrs prior to arrival).
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from any quarantine and the requirement to show any covid related documents upon arrival in Bulgaria.
Returning to the UK after 11th February 2022
After 04:00hrs on 11th February if you are fully vaccinated you will not be required to take any tests. You should only complete the Passenger Locator Form and have a valid covid vaccination certificate. If you are not fully vaccinated you will be required to take a pre-departure PCR Test and an on or before day 2 test on arrival in the UK.
Returning to the UK prior to 11th February 2022
From 04:00hrs on 9th January if you are fully vaccinted you can take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after your arrival in England. If your lateral flow test is positive should then 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 otherwise you will not be able to check in for your flight.. You can book lateral flow tests from 4am Friday 7 January. Children aged 17 and under should follow the rules for fully vaccinated people.
Returning to the Republic of Ireland via Northern Ireland
If you are flying to Belfast and transiting immediately to the Republic of Ireland then different rules will apply. Please visit the link to the NIDIRECT site here and familiarise yourself before departure - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice#toc-3
Travelling with Children
Children aged 4 and under are exempt from a COVID-19 travel testing on return to the UK.
Children under 12 are exempt on entry to Bulgaria from Covid-19 testing
Children aged 12 to 17 must take a COVID-19 test on return to the UK. Children in this age range can enter Bulgaria with only the negative PCR test taken 72hrs prior to travel.
Children aged 5 to 17 should follow the the testing and quarantine regulations for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated on return to the UK.
Booking Your Tests
Latest information can be found at the following link for your return to the UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england
We strongly recommend that you visit the UK Government’s official travel advice page for all the latest requirements for both your holiday destination and upon return to the UK. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- Bulgaria - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bulgaria
- Slovenia - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovenia
It is also necessary to check the individual requirements for each of the home nations and ensure you purchase a test that meets guidance set in the following:
- England: https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control
- Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-advice
- Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-international-travel-quarantine/
- Wales:
When you are satisfied that you are aware of all testing requirement both outbound and inbound you can purchase the appropriate test from the following providers.
Balkan Holidays has partnered with Randox for an exclusive discount for our clients. When you visit their website you can enter code Balkan43 to redeem it. Please ensure you enter the dates required or code may not work.
| Supplier | Balkan Holidays Discount | Link | Price | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randox | Yes on PCR Test Discount code Balkan43 |
At home PCR - £43 In clinic PCR - from £50 At home Antigen - £17.50 In clinic Antigen - £30 |
In clinic / airport or home testing kit | Boots |
| n/a | At home PCR - £65 In store PCR - £79 Antigen - TBA |
In store or home testing |
Special Package Price
At present the requirements to enter Bulgaria mean you will need both a PCR Test (taken maximum 72hrs prior to arrival) AND your Vaccine Passport. On your return to the UK you will need to take a Lateral Flow Test.
Airport testing
Testing is available at the airports from which we fly from for the Winter Ski Season. Visit the following links for information about testing at the airport:
- Belfast Airport
- Bristol Airport
- East Midlands Airport
- Manchester Airport
- Newcastle Airport
- London Gatwick
- London Heathrow
Please ensure you confirm the type of test(s) and time limit of validity that you require here for both entry to your destination and return to your arrival point in the UK - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
We would like to add that we are not advertising testing services as part of your holiday package, testing is carried out by third party suppliers and not by Balkan Holidays. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct test for your destination and entry back into the UK and that results arrive on time or you may be refused boarding.
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