Passport and Border Control

Добър ден!

Dobar den!

Good day!

As you step up to the booth — a greeting before the documents sets a polite tone.

Ето паспорта ми.

Eto pasporta mi.

Here is my passport.

Say it as you slide the passport under the glass.

Тук съм на почивка.

Tuk sam na pochivka.

I'm here on holiday.

The answer to the most common question at the booth — why are you here.

За първи път съм в България.

Za parvi pat sam v Balgariya.

It's my first time in Bulgaria.

Comes up when the officer asks if you've been here before — often softens the whole exchange.

Ще остана две седмици.

Shte ostana dve sedmitsi.

I will stay two weeks.

The 'how long' answer — swap in your own number of days, weeks, or months.

Ще отседна в хотел в София.

Shte otsedna v hotel v Sofiya.

I'll be staying at a hotel in Sofia.

The 'where are you staying' answer — hotel, apartment, or with friends.

Имам обратен билет.

Imam obraten bilet.

I have a return ticket.

Offer this if the officer probes about when you're leaving — be ready to show it on your phone.

Ето резервацията за хотела.

Eto rezervatsiyata za hotela.

Here is the hotel reservation.

When they ask for proof of accommodation — hand over the printout or your phone screen.

Извинете, не разбрах.

Izvinete, ne razbrah.

Sorry, I didn't catch that.

The officer's question flew past you — this politely asks for another go.

Моля, повторете.

Molya, povtorete.

Please repeat.

Short and respectful — exactly right for an official across the glass.

Говорите ли английски?

Govorite li angliyski?

Do you speak English?

Totally acceptable at passport control — officers switch without blinking.

Благодаря, приятен ден!

Blagodarya, priyaten den!

Thank you, have a good day!

As you take your passport back — a courteous close before you walk through.

Коя опашка е за американски паспорти?

Koya opashka e za amerikanski pasporti?

Which queue is for American passports?

You have walked off the jet bridge into the passport hall and two lines split — asking staff which one takes a non-EU passport.

Следващият, моля!

Sledvashtiyat, molya!

Next, please!

YOU HEAR THIS. The officer calls the next traveller forward — it is your cue to step up to the booth.

Изчакайте зад жълтата линия.

Izchakayte zad zhaltata liniya.

Wait behind the yellow line.

YOU HEAR THIS. You have crowded the booth while the person ahead is still being processed — step back until you are called.

Тази опашка е само за европейски паспорти.

Tazi opashka e samo za evropeyski pasporti.

This queue is only for European passports.

YOU HEAR THIS. You joined the EU/EEA line by mistake and are being sent to the all-passports line.

Паспортът, моля.

Pasportat, molya.

Passport, please.

YOU HEAR THIS. The very first thing the officer says once you are at the glass — no greeting, just the request.

Заповядайте.

Zapovyadayte.

Here you are.

The one word you say as you pass the passport under the glass — it covers handing over anything, here and everywhere else in Bulgaria.

Извадете го от калъфа, моля.

Izvadete go ot kalafa, molya.

Take it out of the cover, please.

YOU HEAR THIS. Your passport is in a leather sleeve and the officer needs the bare booklet for the scanner.

Бордната карта, моля.

Bordnata karta, molya.

The boarding pass, please.

YOU HEAR THIS. The officer wants to see which flight you came in on — have the pass or the phone screen ready.

Един момент, паспортът ми е в чантата.

Edin moment, pasportat mi e v chantata.

One moment, my passport is in my bag.

You are at the booth and still digging — this buys you five seconds without anyone getting impatient.

Целта на пътуването?

Tselta na patuvaneto?

Purpose of your trip?

YOU HEAR THIS. The standard clipped question, asked as a fragment rather than a full sentence — this is the one to recognise instantly.

Защо идвате в България?

Zashto idvate v Balgariya?

Why are you coming to Bulgaria?

YOU HEAR THIS. The fuller version of the same question, used when the officer wants a bit more than one word.

По работа или на почивка?

Po rabota ili na pochivka?

Business or holiday?

YOU HEAR THIS. The officer offers you the two choices — answer with whichever one is true and stop there.

На туризъм съм.

Na turizam sam.

I'm here as a tourist.

The shortest true answer to 'целта на пътуването' when you are simply visiting — short answers work best at a border.

Идвам на гости на семейството си.

Idvam na gosti na semeystvoto si.

I'm coming to visit my family.

The answer when a relative in Bulgaria is the reason for the trip — expect a follow-up about who and where.

Колко време ще останете?

Kolko vreme shte ostanete?

How long will you stay?

YOU HEAR THIS. The second question at almost every booth, right after the purpose of the trip.

Кога заминавате?

Koga zaminavate?

When are you leaving?

YOU HEAR THIS. The officer is checking your exit against your entry — answer with a date, not a vague 'soon'.

На коя дата си тръгвате?

Na koya data si tragvate?

What date are you leaving on?

YOU HEAR THIS. Your first answer was too loose and the officer now wants the exact departure date.

Десет дни.

Deset dni.

Ten days.

The plain two-word answer to 'колко време' — swap in your own number and nothing else.

До петнайсети октомври.

Do petnayseti oktomvri.

Until the fifteenth of October.

The answer when the officer wants a departure date rather than a number of days.

Къде ще отседнете?

Kade shte otsednete?

Where will you be staying?

YOU HEAR THIS. The third standard question — 'отседна' is the verb officers use for lodging, not 'живея'.

Какъв е адресът?

Kakav e adresat?

What is the address?

YOU HEAR THIS. Naming a city was not enough — the officer wants the street address.

Как се казва хотелът?

Kak se kazva hotelat?

What is the hotel called?

YOU HEAR THIS. You said 'a hotel in Sofia' and the officer wants the name to match it against your booking.

На частен адрес в София.

Na chasten adres v Sofiya.

At a private address in Sofia.

The answer when you are staying in someone's flat rather than a hotel — have the street ready as the follow-up.

Адресът е записан в телефона ми.

Adresat e zapisan v telefona mi.

The address is saved in my phone.

You cannot recite the street from memory — this says so calmly while you unlock the phone.

При кого отивате?

Pri kogo otivate?

Who are you going to?

YOU HEAR THIS. You said you are staying at a private address, so the officer asks whose it is.

Роднина ли Ви е?

Rodnina li Vi e?

Is that a relative of yours?

YOU HEAR THIS. You named a person and the officer is placing them — relative, partner, or just a friend.

На гости съм на приятели.

Na gosti sam na priyateli.

I'm visiting friends.

The answer when the private address belongs to friends rather than family.

Имате ли обратен билет?

Imate li obraten bilet?

Do you have a return ticket?

YOU HEAR THIS. On a non-EU passport this is the standard proof-of-exit check — have the ticket open before you answer.

Покажете ми билета.

Pokazhete mi bileta.

Show me the ticket.

YOU HEAR THIS. Saying you have one was not enough — turn the phone screen toward the glass.

Билетът ми е в телефона.

Biletat mi e v telefona.

My ticket is on my phone.

Nothing is printed — you say this while pulling up the airline app or the confirmation email.

Връщам се на трети ноември.

Vrashtam se na treti noemvri.

I fly back on the third of November.

Answering the exit question with a specific date, which is what actually satisfies the officer.

Ще работите ли в България?

Shte rabotite li v Balgariya?

Will you be working in Bulgaria?

YOU HEAR THIS. A pointed question — a tourist entry does not permit local employment, so answer it plainly.

Имате ли разрешение за работа?

Imate li razreshenie za rabota?

Do you have a work permit?

YOU HEAR THIS. You mentioned work, so the officer now wants the paperwork that goes with it.

Няма да работя тук.

Nyama da rabotya tuk.

I won't be working here.

The clean denial when the officer probes about employment and you are genuinely only visiting.

Работя дистанционно за американска фирма.

Rabotya distantsionno za amerikanska firma.

I work remotely for an American company.

The honest answer for a laptop worker — you are paid abroad, not by a Bulgarian employer, and saying so up front avoids a longer conversation.

Имате ли карта за пребиваване?

Imate li karta za prebivavane?

Do you have a residence card?

YOU HEAR THIS. Your passport shows a lot of Bulgarian entries, so the officer checks whether you hold a permit.

Имате ли личен номер на чужденец?

Imate li lichen nomer na chuzhdenets?

Do you have a foreigner's personal number?

YOU HEAR THIS. The ЛНЧ is the ID number on your residence card — the officer may ask for it instead of the card itself.

Ето картата ми за пребиваване.

Eto kartata mi za prebivavane.

Here is my residence card.

Handing the plastic card across with the passport — say it as you pass both under the glass.

Живея в България от две години.

Zhiveya v Balgariya ot dve godini.

I've lived in Bulgaria for two years.

The answer that reframes you from tourist to resident — swap in your own length of time.

Кандидатствам за дългосрочно пребиваване.

Kandidatstvam za dalgosrochno prebivavane.

I'm applying for long-term residence.

You are mid-application and entering on a D visa — this explains the long stay before the officer has to ask twice.

Колко дни сте прекарали в Шенген?

Kolko dni ste prekarali v Shengen?

How many days have you spent in Schengen?

YOU HEAR THIS. Bulgaria is inside Schengen now, so your 90-days-in-180 allowance is counted across the whole zone.

Кога влязохте в Шенген?

Koga vlyazohte v Shengen?

When did you enter Schengen?

YOU HEAR THIS. You flew in from another Schengen country, so there is no fresh stamp — the officer needs the date you crossed the external border.

Няма да остана повече от деветдесет дни.

Nyama da ostana poveche ot devetdeset dni.

I won't stay more than ninety days.

The reassurance that shows you know the 90/180 rule — it visibly shortens the questioning.

Влязох през Виена преди две седмици.

Vlyazoh prez Viena predi dve sedmitsi.

I entered via Vienna two weeks ago.

Explaining where and when your Schengen clock actually started when Sofia is not your first stop.

Погледнете в камерата.

Poglednete v kamerata.

Look into the camera.

YOU HEAR THIS. The little camera on the booth is taking your entry photo — find it and hold still.

Свалете си шапката.

Svalete si shapkata.

Take off your hat.

YOU HEAR THIS. Nothing may shade your face for the photo — hats and hoods come off at the booth.

Свалете си очилата.

Svalete si ochilata.

Take off your glasses.

YOU HEAR THIS. Sunglasses always, prescription glasses sometimes — off before the photo.

Сложете пръстите си на скенера.

Slozhete prastite si na skenera.

Put your fingers on the scanner.

YOU HEAR THIS. Non-EU arrivals give fingerprints — the officer points at the little glass pad on the counter.

Гледайте право напред и не се усмихвайте.

Gledayte pravo napred i ne se usmihvayte.

Look straight ahead and don't smile.

YOU HEAR THIS. The photo failed once and the officer is talking you through a retake.

Само с ръчен багаж ли сте?

Samo s rachen bagazh li ste?

Are you travelling with hand luggage only?

YOU HEAR THIS. A short stay with no checked bag can look odd — the officer is just filling in the picture.

Сам ли си приготвихте багажа?

Sam li si prigotvihte bagazha?

Did you pack your luggage yourself?

YOU HEAR THIS. The standard security question — the answer they want is a simple yes.

Отворете чантата, моля.

Otvorete chantata, molya.

Open the bag, please.

YOU HEAR THIS. Usually at customs past the belt rather than at the passport booth — unzip it and step back.

Имам един куфар.

Imam edin kufar.

I have one suitcase.

The plain answer about what you are carrying, said while you wait at the booth.

Имате ли нещо за деклариране?

Imate li neshto za deklarirane?

Do you have anything to declare?

YOU HEAR THIS. At the customs desk past baggage reclaim, not at the passport booth.

Носите ли цигари или алкохол?

Nosite li tsigari ili alkohol?

Are you carrying cigarettes or alcohol?

YOU HEAR THIS. Duty-free limits are the usual reason a customs officer stops someone.

Нямам нищо за деклариране.

Nyamam nishto za deklarirane.

I have nothing to declare.

The set answer at the customs desk — say it flatly and keep walking toward the green channel.

Само лични вещи.

Samo lichni veshti.

Only personal items.

The follow-up when the officer asks what is actually in the suitcase.

Къде е зеленият коридор?

Kade e zeleniyat koridor?

Where is the green channel?

You have your bag and cannot see which of the two exits is the nothing-to-declare one.

Колко пари в брой носите?

Kolko pari v broy nosite?

How much cash are you carrying?

YOU HEAR THIS. A customs question, asked when you are pulled aside rather than routinely.

Над десет хиляди евро се декларират.

Nad deset hilyadi evro se deklarirat.

Anything over ten thousand euros must be declared.

YOU HEAR THIS. The officer is quoting the EU rule at you — it applies to cash crossing the external border.

Под десет хиляди евро.

Pod deset hilyadi evro.

Under ten thousand euros.

The short factual answer that ends the cash question when you are well inside the limit.

Паспортът на детето, моля.

Pasportat na deteto, molya.

The child's passport, please.

YOU HEAR THIS. Every child needs their own passport — hand both booklets over together.

Имате ли декларация от другия родител?

Imate li deklaratsiya ot drugiya roditel?

Do you have a declaration from the other parent?

YOU HEAR THIS. Travelling with a child but without the other parent — the notarised consent letter is what they want to see.

Сама ли пътувате с детето?

Sama li patuvate s deteto?

Are you travelling alone with the child?

YOU HEAR THIS. Addressed to a mother arriving without the father — the feminine 'сама' is the form you will actually hear.

Това е дъщеря ми.

Tova e dashterya mi.

This is my daughter.

Said as you put the child's passport down next to yours, before anyone has to ask.

Моля, отдръпнете се встрани.

Molya, otdrapnete se vstrani.

Please step aside.

YOU HEAR THIS. Something needs checking and the officer is clearing the queue behind you — it is routine, not an accusation.

Елате с мен.

Elate s men.

Come with me.

YOU HEAR THIS. You are being walked to a side office for a longer check — take your bag and go.

Изчакайте тук.

Izchakayte tuk.

Wait here.

YOU HEAR THIS. You have been parked on a chair while your passport is checked in another room.

Има ли проблем?

Ima li problem?

Is there a problem?

Asked evenly, without heat, once you have been moved out of the queue — it is a fair question and officers answer it.

Колко време ще отнеме?

Kolko vreme shte otneme?

How long will it take?

You have a connection to make and have been waiting a while — this asks without pushing.

Какво значи това?

Kakvo znachi tova?

What does that mean?

You caught the whole question except one word — pointing the gap at a single word keeps the exchange in Bulgarian.

Не знам тази дума.

Ne znam tazi duma.

I don't know that word.

Honest and specific — far better received than freezing, and the officer will simply use another word.

Може ли да ми обясните?

Mozhe li da mi obyasnite?

Can you explain it to me?

The officer's question is about a document or a rule you have never met — this asks for it in plainer terms.

Може ли по-бавно?

Mozhe li po-bavno?

Can you go slower?

The officer rattled the question off at full speed — this keeps it in Bulgarian instead of switching languages.

Може ли да повторите?

Mozhe li da povtorite?

Can you repeat that?

A softer, more formal way to ask for the question again than the bare imperative.

Извинявайте, българският ми е слаб.

Izvinyavayte, balgarskiyat mi e slab.

Sorry, my Bulgarian is weak.

Use this AFTER you have visibly tried in Bulgarian, not instead of trying. It is the apology that makes switching to English acceptable — leading with 'do you speak English?' at a border lands badly.

Разбирам малко български.

Razbiram malko balgarski.

I understand a little Bulgarian.

Said early at the booth, this sets expectations and usually gets you slower, simpler questions rather than a language switch.

Заповядайте, приятен престой.

Zapovyadayte, priyaten prestoy.

Here you are, enjoy your stay.

YOU HEAR THIS. The passport slides back under the glass and you are through.

Добре дошли в България.

Dobre doshli v Balgariya.

Welcome to Bulgaria.

YOU HEAR THIS. The warmer send-off, often after you have answered a question or two in Bulgarian.

Можете да минете.

Mozhete da minete.

You can go through.

YOU HEAR THIS. The plain clearance to walk on toward baggage reclaim.

Благодаря Ви.

Blagodarya Vi.

Thank you.

The formal thank-you as you pick the passport up — the capital-Vi form is the right register for an official.