Bulgaria has launched a digital nomad visa scheme to attract remote workers from beyond the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union Schengen zone, which it joined in 2025.
The move has been made following a legislative drive by the New Balkans Law Office in collaboration with The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association (BESCO). As well as supporting tourism and regional development, the advent of the visa is intended to bring in skilled foreign workers and investment, promote knowledge-sharing, and boost growth, particularly in the tech and innovation sectors.
Bulgaria boasts a landscape where, according to Lonely Planet, “soul-stirring mountains rival golden beaches, while cities hum with nightlife and art.” It was once part of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires, and was liberated in the late 1800s, only to become a Communist state after World War II, transitioning to capitalism in the 1990s.
With a lower cost-of-living than most other European countries, a rich history, stunning ancient and contemporary architecture, a Black Sea coastline, and Balkan mountain hiking and snow sports, it could provide a fantastic base for exploring Europe and beyond.
The republic is rated Level 1, the lowest security alert, by the US State Department and is described as “generally a safe destination.” The main risks are described as petty crime, such as pickpocketing, car theft, ATM skimming, credit card fraud, and traffic incidents. However, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) warns that Bulgaria remains one of the primary source countries of human trafficking in the EU, with Bulgarian women and girls the main target.
To be eligible to apply for the digital nomad residency route, candidates must be:
- Freelancers or independents working with non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year prior to application, or
- Business owners of at least 25% of a foreign-registered company that does not serve Bulgarian clients, or
- Remote employees of firms registered outside the EEA, EU, and Switzerland.
- Earners of at least 50 times the Bulgarian minimum monthly wage (€620 at the time of writing), putting the yearly income threshold at €31,000.
- Holders of a clean criminal record.
- Holders of health insurance valid in Bulgaria and the Schengen zone.
- In possession of proof of accommodation in Bulgaria.
It’s important to note that all foreign-issued documents used during the process must be officially translated into Bulgarian, with an authenticity stamp as needed.
Applications are completed in two stages. The first step is to apply for a “type D” long-stay visa through a Bulgarian embassy abroad. Once obtained (a process that can take up to two months), the type D visa gives candidates the right to enter Bulgaria and make a Digital Nomad Visa residence application, a step that must be taken within the first two weeks on Bulgarian soil and can take up to a month to complete. Once issued, the digital nomad residency visa remains valid for one year and can be renewed once, subject to eligibility.
