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Summary:
- Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa is open for non-EU / non-EEA citizens working remotely.
- You must earn at least €31,000/year (based on the official rule described).
- The process is done in two steps, starting with a Visa D from abroad.
- After arrival, you have 14 days to apply for the residence permit.
- The residence permit is valid for one year, renewable for another year.
Bulgaria has quietly become one of those places remote workers keep mentioning, usually after a trip that was supposed to last “just a couple of weeks”. Low costs, real city life in Sofia, easy nature escapes, and a pace that feels less rushed than many Western European hubs.
Now the country has added something remote workers love: clarity. With a dedicated digital nomad visa, Bulgaria offers a legal long-stay option built for people who work online and get paid from abroad. If you meet the requirements, it can turn a casual stop into a solid base for 2026.
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Until now, Bulgaria was a bit of a loophole destination. People came for the low prices, the cafés, the mountains, and stayed as long as they could under tourist rules. The country didn’t exactly discourage it, but it didn’t offer a long-stay framework either, which meant a lot of remote workers lived in temporary mode.
With a digital nomad visa, the message is clearer. Remote workers aren’t just passing through anymore, they can apply for a long-term stay designed for them. And that matters, because it changes how you plan life on the ground, renting, routines, and travel rhythm across Europe.
What’s appealing is how normal daily life can feel. You can work in a capital city with solid infrastructure, escape to nature on weekends, and still keep Europe within reach. Bulgaria is not selling a dream, it’s offering a setup that can actually hold up for a year.
Who can apply (and who should skip this visa)
This visa is meant for non-EU / non-EEA citizens who work remotely and earn their money from outside Bulgaria. The logic stays simple: you live in Bulgaria, but your professional activity remains international. If you’re hoping to arrive and find a local job, this isn’t built for that.
If you already have a stable remote income and want a base that feels workable, you’re exactly the kind of person this visa targets. Bulgaria seems to prefer applicants who can support themselves without leaning on the local job market, and who can prove it.
The three profiles Bulgaria accepts
You can apply if you match one of these categories:
- Remote employee working for a company registered outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland
- Business owner or shareholder with more than 25% ownership in a company registered abroad
- Freelancer or independent professional serving non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year before applying
The income rule (the “€31K minimum”)
You’ll need to prove annual income equal to 50 times Bulgaria’s minimum monthly wage. The reference states that minimum wage is €620, so the annual threshold becomes:
✅ €31,000 per year
Here’s the quick eligibility view:
| Requirement | What it means |
| Citizenship | Non-EU / non-EEA |
| Work model | Fully remote |
| Income source | Outside Bulgaria |
| Minimum annual income | €31,000 |
| Freelancers | At least 1 year of activity |
This isn’t a “quick and casual” visa. It’s designed for people who already have a consistent remote setup, with the ability to document it cleanly.
The application process: simple steps, tight timing
Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa follows a two-step process, and you’ll want to respect the timeline. The steps are not complex, but the deadlines don’t leave much room for improvisation.
Step 1: Apply for the long-stay Visa D (from outside Bulgaria)
You start by applying for a Type D long-stay visa through a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The reference mentions a processing time of 4 to 8 weeks, which means you should plan ahead and not leave it until the last minute.
Step 2: After arrival, apply for the residence permit within 14 days
Once you enter Bulgaria, you must apply for the digital nomad residence permit within 14 days. That’s short enough that you want to arrive prepared. The easiest way to think about it is this: treat the first two weeks as a quick admin sprint, then enjoy the rest of your stay without stress.
Documents mentioned in the reference
Here’s what’s typically required:
- Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria, such as a lease, booking, or property deed
- A clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence
- Translations into Bulgarian plus legalization or apostille if required
- Proof you meet the income threshold
- Proof of valid health insurance covering Bulgaria, and valid across the wider EU/Schengen area (as referenced)
The reference also notes the overall timeline can stretch beyond three months once you include document prep, the Visa D waiting stage, and the residence permit step. It’s not hard, but it rewards planning.
One year in Bulgaria: what it gives you in real life
Once approved, the residence permit is valid for one year, and it can be renewed for another year, as long as you still meet the conditions. That’s enough time to stop living out of a suitcase and actually build a rhythm.
For remote workers, this kind of timeframe changes the experience. You can rent properly, set habits, find the cafés you like, and still travel around Europe without constantly checking your visa days. Bulgaria gives you breathing room, and that’s the real luxury.
If you’re choosing a base, the obvious strategy is to start in Sofia for infrastructure, coworking, and flights. Then you can test Plovdiv for a slower pace, spend time on the Black Sea during summer, and keep the mountains for weekends when you want a real reset.
So, is Bulgaria your 2026 move?
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If you’re a non-EU/EEA remote worker who earns at least €31,000/year, Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa is a very practical option. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s structured and usable, with a full year on the table and a possible renewal after that.
It makes sense if you already work remotely for foreign clients or companies, want a European base without Western Europe pricing, and don’t mind a clear two-step process. If that sounds like you, Bulgaria might be one of those places that feels both affordable and sustainable for a year.
