Bulgaria has launched a digital nomad visa, opening applications to non-EU remote workers as the country adopts the euro and joins the Schengen Zone in 2025.
The new visa allows eligible applicants to live in Bulgaria for up to 1 year, with the option to renew for a second year, provided they continue to meet income and employment requirements.
The move positions Bulgaria as an increasingly attractive base for long-term travellers and remote professionals, with a significantly lower cost of living than many western European destinations and easier border-free travel across much of Europe. Applicants must earn at least €31,000 per year, apply first for a type D long-stay visa, and then complete residency formalities after arrival in Bulgaria.
Why Bulgaria is attracting remote workers
For many digital nomads, the appeal of Bulgaria lies in the balance between affordability, lifestyle and connectivity. Daily costs for accommodation, food and transport remain lower than in countries such as Spain, France or Italy, while major cities continue to invest in coworking spaces, fast internet and remote-friendly services. Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna have developed youthful startup scenes alongside traditional neighbourhoods, cafés and cultural venues that suit long stays.
Beyond city life, Bulgaria offers quick access to outdoor escapes. The Rila, Pirin and Balkan mountain ranges provide hiking, skiing and mountain lakes within a few hours’ travel, while the Black Sea coast delivers beach resorts, historic towns and summer festivals. This variety allows remote workers to combine weekday productivity with short weekend adventures.
The country’s switch to the euro simplifies everyday transactions for travellers who previously needed to exchange currency, while Schengen membership removes routine border checks when moving between most European countries. For digital nomads who frequently travel for leisure or business meetings, the ability to cross borders without additional paperwork makes Bulgaria a practical hub rather than a peripheral base.
Who qualifies and how the application works
The digital nomad visa is open to non-EU and non-EEA citizens who work remotely and earn income from outside Bulgaria. Eligibility falls into three categories: remote employees of companies registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; business owners or shareholders holding more than 25% of a company registered abroad; and freelancers or independent professionals who have been providing services to non-Bulgarian clients for at least 1 year.
Applicants must demonstrate an annual income equal to at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage. With the minimum wage currently set at €620 per month, the income threshold comes to approximately €31,000 per year. Proof of income must be provided during the application process.
The application process has two main stages. First, applicants must apply for a type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their home country. This stage typically takes between 4 and 8 weeks and allows entry into Bulgaria for the purpose of applying for residency.
After arrival, applicants have 14 days to submit their residence permit application under the Digital Nomad Visa programme. Required documents include proof of accommodation in Bulgaria, such as a rental contract, hotel booking or proof of property ownership, along with a clean criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of residence. Foreign documents must be translated into Bulgarian and apostilled where necessary.
Applicants must also show proof of health insurance that covers their stay in Bulgaria and remains valid across the entire Schengen and EU area. Evidence confirming that the minimum income requirement has been met must also be included in the submission.
Once the residency application is approved, digital nomads can apply for a Bulgarian identification card. The entire process can take more than 3 months from initial application to final documentation. The residence permit is initially issued for 1 year and may be renewed for an additional year, provided all eligibility criteria continue to be met.
With a digital nomad visa now available, euro adoption in place and seamless access to much of Europe through Schengen, Bulgaria is positioning itself as a practical and budget-friendly alternative to more saturated remote-work destinations. For travellers considering relocation in 2026, the combination of affordability, mobility and growing infrastructure could make the country one of Europe’s most compelling new bases for location-independent work.
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