If you're looking at Bulgaria medical school application deadlines in 2026, the window is narrowing, but it's not closed. And if you’ve missed the October 2026 intake, the Medical University of Pleven has a February 2027 intake that can still be your route in.
Here's a practical, straight-to-the-point application timeline to keep you on track.
General Guideline to Medical School Admission Deadlines in Bulgaria
Most Bulgarian medical universities open their application windows in March and April and run entrance exams between April and September, with medical school ranking announcement dates in Bulgaria and enrollment landing in late September, ahead of an October start. The only exception is the Pleven Medical University, which has a final deadline in October/November for its February intake in the following year.
The most important thing to know is that non-EU applicants have shorter deadlines than EU/EEA students, because of the time needed for document nostrification and the Bulgarian Ministry of Education certificate processing (which can take 20+ days), plus visa processing of up to 90 days.
2026 Application Deadlines for Medicine in Bulgaria
Here are the official application deadlines for all 7 Bulgarian medical universities for their October 2026 intakes, except for Pleven Medical University, which has a February 2027 intake.
The table has the Bulgaria medical university enrollment deadlines for 2026, including the Plovdiv Medical University intake calendar, Varna Medical University registration closing date, Pleven Medical University February intake timeline, and more:
| University | Application Open | Final Deadline (Non-EU) |
| Sofia Medical University | 27 July 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| Plovdiv Medical University | 4 March 2026 | 11 September 2026 |
| Varna Medical University | March 2026 | 11 September 2026 |
| Trakia University | 1 April 2026 | 1 July 2026 |
| Pleven Medical University | 1 June 2026 | 1 October 2026 online 30 October hard copies |
| Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski | 27 July 2026 | 11 September 2026 |
| Burgas University (Prof. Dr Assen Zlatarov) | 4 Mar 2026 | ~24 July 2026* |
*Non-EU applicants requiring a Type D visa must submit documents by late July to allow processing time.
You can check out the full entry requirements for each of these medical schools here: Medicine Entry Requirements in Bulgaria
The Step-by-Step Application Timeline for Medicine in Bulgaria
If you’re already looking at a last-minute medicine application in Bulgaria for 2026, you need to get started right away with:
Step 1: Gather and Legalise Your Documents (as Early as Possible)
The full document translation and legalisation timeline in Bulgaria can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks and even more.
All your documents need to be translated into Bulgarian and legalised (apostilled or through the relevant embassy procedure, depending on your country). This step is often underestimated by students.
Document translation and legalisation for Bulgaria can take weeks, and the Bulgarian Ministry of Education nostrification process adds another 20+ days on top. You need to start immediately if you haven't.
Medlink Students has a dedicated on-ground support team in Bulgaria that can completely handle this step for you. We can make sure that everything is done correctly and submitted within the deadline. Sign up for a free consultation using the form below, and we will get started on your application to Bulgaria right away:
Step 2: Register for an Entrance Exam
All Bulgarian medical universities require a Biology and Chemistry entrance exam, conducted in English. Most are now held online, making them accessible from anywhere. Several universities run multiple sittings throughout the season - Varna, for example, has 5 exam dates between April and September, while MU-Sofia entrance exam dates run only in September 2026
Sitting early gives you the best chance at a higher ranking and more placement options.
Step 3: Submit Your Application Documents
1 of the steps that trips up prospective students the most. You need to make sure that every document is prepared exactly as the medical school wants it, with translation, notarisation, and legalisation.
This is exactly why Medlink Students has a dedicated team for applications in Bulgaria.
Step 4: Ranking Announcements
Universities release rankings after each exam session, assigning places based on your combined Biology and Chemistry scores. Plovdiv, for instance, releases monthly rankings from April through to a final September ranking. If you're not offered your first-choice programme, you can typically submit a declaration to remain in the next ranking.
Step 5: Enrol and Secure Your Visa
Once ranked, you'll need to enrol within the stated deadline, pay your first semester's fees, and get your residence permit. Non-EU students must apply for a Type D student visa.
Visa processing typically takes up to 90 days, so this must run in parallel with your application from the moment you receive an offer.
For a full breakdown of the visa application process for non-EU students, read our blog: Medicine in Bulgaria for Non-EU Students: Visa and Work Rights
Step 6: Start Your Year
For all universities except MU Pleven, the academic year starts in October 2026. Pleven's February 2027 intake is the only spring-semester entry point in Bulgaria.
Planning for 2026? Start Now.
If you're targeting the next intake, the best time to begin is the moment you read this.
The same document legalisation timeline applies, biology and chemistry preparation takes months, and early applicants consistently secure better-ranked placements. Medlink Students' academic advisors can guide you through every step of the application process and help you take advantage of the early application benefits for Bulgarian medical universities. Apply for a free consultation here.
