Bulgaria Introduces Digital Nomad Visa with €31,000 Income Requirement
Bulgaria has officially launched a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa scheme, aiming to attract skilled remote workers from outside the European Union and Schengen Zone. This strategic move is designed to boost tourism, regional development, and foreign investment while promoting knowledge-sharing in key sectors like technology and innovation.
The new visa route was developed through a legislative initiative by the New Balkans Law Office in partnership with The Bulgarian Entrepreneurial Association (BESCO). By opening its doors to location-independent professionals, Bulgaria seeks to capitalize on its combination of low cost of living, rich history, and diverse landscapes—from Black Sea beaches to Balkan mountain ranges.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
The visa targets three main categories of remote workers:
Freelancers or independents working for non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year.
Business owners holding at least 25% of a foreign-registered company that does not serve Bulgarian clients.
Remote employees of firms registered outside the EEA, EU, and Switzerland.
A key financial requirement is a proven annual income of at least €31,000 (50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage). Applicants must also have a clean criminal record, valid international health insurance, proof of accommodation in Bulgaria, and all foreign documents officially translated into Bulgarian.
A Two-Step Application Process
Obtaining the visa involves a two-stage procedure:
1. Applicants must first secure a “Type D” long-stay visa from a Bulgarian embassy abroad, a process that can take up to two months.
2. Within the first two weeks of arriving in Bulgaria, they must then apply for the Digital Nomad residence permit at a local migration office, which can take up to a month to process.
Once issued, the Digital Nomad residency is valid for one year and can be renewed once, subject to meeting all ongoing eligibility criteria.
With its appealing mix of affordability, culture, and connectivity, Bulgaria’s new program positions the country as a competitive and compelling base for digital nomads looking to explore Europe.
