Bulgaria digital nomad visa: Complete guide 2026

Bulgaria is one of those places that keeps surprising you. Sofia has good coffee, cheap rent, mountains visible from the city centre, and a tech scene that has been quietly building for years. Head south and you're in Bansko, a ski town that has become something of a digital nomad institution. Go east, and there's a Black Sea coast that most Western Europeans have never heard of. Internet speeds are excellent, the cost of living is among the lowest in Europe, and the flat 10% income tax rate doesn't hurt either.

Bulgaria introduced its Digital Nomad Visa in June 2025, developed in close collaboration with BESCO, the Bulgarian Startup Association, and formally opened for applications from December 20, 2025. The visa gives non-EU remote workers a legal framework to live and work in Bulgaria for up to two years. Employees, freelancers, and company owners are all eligible. This guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, what documents you need, and every other step of the process.

Who Can Apply: Eligibility Requirements

Work Requirements

The visa is open to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals who work remotely using information technology for employers or clients based outside Bulgaria. The legislation defines three eligible categories.

• Remote employees: foreign nationals employed under contract by a company registered outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, providing services remotely. The employment contract must cover at least the duration of the residence permit being sought.

• Company owners: foreign nationals who are owners, partners, shareholders holding more than 25% of the registered capital, or legal representatives of a company registered outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland that provides remote services. The applicant must not work for or provide services to clients in Bulgaria.

• Freelancers: foreign nationals who have personally provided remote services using information technology for at least one year prior to the date of application, without serving clients or performing freelance activities in Bulgaria.

In all cases, you cannot work for Bulgarian clients or employers, and you cannot offer services to persons or entities based in Bulgaria.

Income Requirements

The minimum income threshold is 50 times the Bulgarian minimum monthly salary for the previous calendar year. As of January 2026, the minimum monthly salary is approximately €627, putting the annual threshold at approximately €31,350 per year — around €2,612 per month. This figure is tied to the minimum wage and will update as it changes, so verify the current amount before applying.

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

All foreign documents must be translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator and apostilled where required.

Passport

Your valid travel document. Bring the original.

Photograph

One passport-sized color photograph meeting official requirements.

Application Form

The official Type D long-stay visa application form, available to download as a PDF from your assigned Bulgarian embassy or consulate website. Complete it in full before your appointment and sign it. All fields must be filled in legibly using typed or printed letters, with your name spelled exactly as it appears in your passport.

Proof of Accommodation

Evidence of where you will be living in Bulgaria: a rental or lease contract, hotel booking, or property ownership documents.

Proof of Income

Documentation proving your average annual income meets the minimum threshold for the previous calendar year. This can include bank statements, payslips, contracts, or invoices. Income must be gross and verifiable.

Criminal Record Certificate

An official criminal record certificate from your country of residence, apostilled. Must not be older than six months at the time of submission.

Health Insurance

A valid long-term residency insurance policy covering medical treatment in Bulgaria for the full duration of your stay, valid across the entire Schengen and EU area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

For Employees

Employment Contract

An employment contract with your foreign-registered employer, showing the parties, your position, salary, and contract term. The remaining term must cover at least the duration of the permit you are applying for.

Proof of Employer Registration

Documentation confirming your employer is legally registered outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, such as company registration documents or a link to an official company registry.

For Company Owners

Company Registration Documents

Full identification and registration details of your company, including its name, registered address, field of activity, ownership structure, and legal representatives.

Proof of Ownership or Management Role

Documentation confirming you hold more than 25% of the registered capital, or that you are a legal representative or board member.

Client Contract

At least one contract with a client confirming the provision of remote services by your company.

For Freelancers

Service Contracts

At least one contract with a client confirming remote services provided over the past year, including the client's identification details.

Client Reference or Recommendation

A reference or recommendation from a client verifying at least one year of remote work prior to the application date.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Assemble all documents relevant to your category as listed above. All foreign documents must be translated into Bulgarian and apostilled where required. Allow extra time for criminal record certificates and apostilles, as these can take several weeks depending on your country of residence.

Step 2: Attend your appointment and pay the fee

Submit your Type D long-stay visa application in person at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or legal residence. Bring your completed application form, original documents, and translations. The visa application fee of approximately €100 is paid at the appointment.

Step 3: Wait for a decision

Processing takes one to two months from your appointment date. This initial visa is what allows you to enter Bulgaria to apply for the residence permit.

Step 4: Enter Bulgaria

Once your Type D visa is approved, enter Bulgaria within its validity period. The visa is issued for either 6 or 12 months and allows multiple entries during that time.

Step 5: Apply for your residence permit

Within 14 days of arriving in Bulgaria, submit your residence permit application in person at the relevant regional Migration Directorate office (ODMVR). Applications must be submitted on paper using the official form prescribed by the Regulation for the Implementation of the Law on Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria. Bring your originals, translations, and all supporting documents. The residence permit fee of approximately €150–€200 is paid at this appointment.

Step 6: Wait for a decision

The Migration Directorate has 14 calendar days to process your application. In cases involving legal or factual complexity, or where additional documents are required, this period may be extended by up to one additional month.

Step 7: Collect your residence card

Once your permit is approved, you will go through an identification card application process to receive your physical residence card. This takes between three and 30 calendar days.

Step 8: Renew if needed

The residence permit is valid for one year and can be renewed once for an additional year, giving a maximum stay of two years under this category. Apply for renewal before your current permit expires and ensure you continue to meet the income and eligibility requirements.

Costs and Fees to Expect

Type D Visa Fee

Approximately €100, paid at the embassy or consulate at the time of your appointment.

Residence Permit Fee

Approximately €150–€200 in total, covering the state processing fee and the cost of producing the residence card itself. Confirm the exact current amount with the Migration Directorate before applying.

Document Preparation Expenses

Factor in the following potential costs:

• Certified translations of documents into Bulgarian: €5–€20 per page

• Apostille or legalization of foreign documents: €20–€50 per document

• Criminal record certificate issuance: €10–€50, required from each country of previous residence

Frequently Asked Questions

Can freelancers apply?

Yes. Freelancers who have personally provided remote services to clients outside Bulgaria for at least one year prior to applying are explicitly eligible. You will need to provide at least one client contract and a client reference confirming your remote work history. You must not have served any Bulgarian clients during this period.

Can I work for a Bulgarian company on this visa?

No. All income must come from employers, clients, or companies registered outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Working for Bulgarian clients or providing services to entities based in Bulgaria is strictly prohibited and will result in the denial of renewal or cancellation of your permit.

Is the visa renewable?

Yes, once. The residence permit is issued for one year and can be renewed for one additional year, for a maximum stay of two years. After that, you would need to transition to another residency category if you wish to remain.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Dependents can be sponsored through a family reunification process. They must apply separately and will need to demonstrate their family relationship to you.

Can I travel within the Schengen Area on this visa?

Yes. Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. During the validity of your residence permit, you can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Does the Digital Nomad Visa lead to permanent residency?

Not directly. The program is designed for temporary residence, and officials have not indicated any direct pathway from this permit to permanent residency or citizenship. If long-term residency is your goal, you would need to transition to a different residency category. Consult an immigration lawyer for guidance.

Will I pay taxes in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria has a flat income tax rate of 10% on worldwide income for tax residents — one of the lowest in Europe. You become a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in Bulgaria in any 12-month period. If you stay under 183 days, you are generally not considered a tax resident, and your foreign-sourced income is not subject to Bulgarian tax. Bulgaria has tax treaties with many countries that may affect your obligations — consult a qualified tax professional before making long-term plans.