Digital Nomad Residence Permit

Bulgaria's Digital Nomad Residence Permit allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to live in Bulgaria while working remotely for employers, clients, or businesses located outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. The program was established through amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, with applications accepted since December 2025. As a full Schengen Area member (since March 2024) with the euro adopted in January 2026, Bulgaria offers an attractive, low-cost EU base for remote professionals.

Applicants must fall into one of three categories:

• Employees working under a labour contract with an employer registered outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland, providing remote services via information technology
• Business owners who are legal representatives, management body members, or shareholders holding more than 25% of a company registered outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
• Freelancers independently providing remote IT services, with at least one year of prior experience

All applicants must demonstrate an average gross annual income of at least 50 times Bulgaria's statutory minimum monthly wage for the preceding calendar year (approximately €31,010 for 2026). Income must come entirely from sources outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland.

Holders may not work for Bulgarian employers, serve Bulgarian clients, or conduct freelance activities within Bulgarian territory.

• Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
• Completed visa application form and colour photograph (white background)
• Proof of income meeting the minimum threshold (bank statements covering the preceding 12 months, payslips, or service invoices)
• Employment contract with employer details (employees), company register extract no older than 6 months (business owners), or client contracts and references (freelancers)
• Criminal record certificate from country of residence, apostilled
• Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (rental contract, hotel booking, or property deed)
• Valid health insurance covering Bulgaria and the EU with minimum €30,000 coverage
• All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Bulgarian

The application follows a two-stage procedure:

1. Type D long-stay visa — Apply in person at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. A personal interview is mandatory. Processing takes 35-45 business days. The visa fee is €100 (non-refundable).

2. Residence permit — After entering Bulgaria on the Type D visa, apply at the Migration Directorate within 14 days of arrival. The permit application fee is €56 and the residence card costs €23. Processing takes 14 calendar days, extendable by up to one month for complex cases.

After the residence permit is granted, a foreigner's identity card is issued within 3-30 calendar days.

The Type D visa is valid for up to 6 months with the right to stay up to 180 days. The residence permit is issued for 1 year and can be renewed once for an additional year, for a maximum of 2 years total. The renewal application must be submitted before the current permit expires, with updated documentation showing continued eligibility.

The digital nomad permit is a temporary residence permit and does not directly lead to permanent residency or citizenship.

Approved permit holders may sponsor their spouse and dependent children through Bulgaria's family reunification procedures. Family members must apply sequentially — the principal applicant must first receive their own residence permit before dependants can apply. Each family member submits their own application with supporting documents to the Migration Directorate. No separate additional income requirement for sponsoring dependants is specified.

Bulgaria applies a flat 10% personal income tax rate — the lowest in the EU. Individuals spending more than 183 days in Bulgaria within any 12-month period become tax residents and are subject to worldwide income taxation. Bulgaria maintains double taxation treaties with over 70 countries. Digital nomads should carefully assess their tax residency status in both Bulgaria and their home country.

As a full Schengen Area member since March 2024, Bulgaria allows digital nomad residence permit holders to travel freely throughout all Schengen countries without additional visas.