Bulgaria has launched a digital nomad visa: starting from €31,000 per year, offering Schengen access and the Euro
Bulgaria introduced a separate type of residency for digital nomads. The scheme is designed for citizens from countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland: live in the country and work remotely without a Bulgarian employer and local clients.
The norm was incorporated in amendments to the foreigners' law. The goal is to attract specialists in IT, innovation, and creative industries. The breakdown was published by BGNES on August 21, referencing an analysis by Alex Ledson in Forbes.
- remote employees of companies outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland;
- owners and partners of certain foreign companies;
- freelancers and independent specialists if the activity is conducted outside Bulgaria.
It is not allowed to provide services to Bulgarian individuals or organizations with this status.
Applicants must demonstrate an average income for the previous calendar year of not less than 50 times the Bulgarian minimum wage. In 2026, this is around €31,000.
Additionally, proof of remote work, accommodation in Bulgaria, health insurance, and a police clearance certificate are required.
The process involves two steps:
1. first, apply for a national D visa in a consulate abroad;
2. after entry, submit an application for a digital nomad residency permit within 14 days.
The permit is issued for 1 year, with the possibility of extension for another year. The two-step process is more complex than some European programs where everything is processed in one application.
### Why go
According to Eurostat data for 2025, consumer prices in Bulgaria are 63% of the EU average, the lowest in the Union (behind Romania and Poland).
From January 1, 2025, the country is fully in the Schengen Area, and land border controls with neighboring countries are lifted. From January 1, 2026, Bulgaria is in the eurozone.
The internet is stable. Remote workers are already in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Bansko: mountains, sea, cheaper than Lisbon and Barcelona.
The downside is the same: two stages required and it's not allowed to work on the Bulgarian market. For those who already earn "from outside," this is more of a status limitation than an income loophole.
