In late 2025, Bulgaria introduced one of Europe's most practical remote work visas. For non-EU freelancers and remote employees earning over €31,000 a year, it opens the door to two years of legal residence inside Schengen — at a flat 10% tax rate, at 30% below EU average cost of living.
Important distinction: There is no standalone "Digital Nomad Visa." The correct name is a long-term residence permit for digital nomads, based on amendments to the Law on Foreigners in Bulgaria effective December 2025. The process is two-stage: Type D visa at a Bulgarian embassy → residence permit in Bulgaria.
Who Can Apply
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens in one of three categories:
- Remote employees — working for a company registered outside Bulgaria, the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, providing services exclusively from abroad
- Freelancers and independent contractors — with at least 1 year of documented remote work for non-Bulgarian clients (contracts, invoices, or platform earnings)
- Business owners — holding at least 25% of a company registered outside Bulgaria that serves no Bulgarian-resident clients
EU and EEA citizens do not need this — they can reside freely under EU free movement rules.
Income Requirement
You must demonstrate an average monthly income of at least 50× Bulgaria's minimum monthly salary over the previous 12 months. At 2025–2026 rates, this works out to approximately €2,580–€2,700/month gross (€31,000–€32,400/year). Verified through employment contracts, invoices, bank statements, or platform earnings.
What the Permit Does NOT Allow
- You cannot work for Bulgarian clients or companies registered in Bulgaria
- You cannot invoice Bulgarian-resident clients at the time of the transaction
- You cannot be employed by a Bulgarian-registered company
- The permit does not lead to permanent residency — after 2 years you must transition to a different category (company registration, TRO, or financially independent person)
The Two-Stage Application Process
Type D visa at the Bulgarian embassy
Apply at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Indicate "digital nomad residence permit" as the basis. Provide proof of remote income for the past 12 months. Processing: 4–8 weeks. This visa permits entry into Bulgaria to apply for the permit itself.
Residence permit at the Migration Directorate
Within the validity of your D visa, submit your application at the Bulgarian Migration Directorate. You will need your lease, health insurance, bank statements, and employment/client documentation. Processing: up to 14 days. You receive a biometric plastic card valid for 1 year.
Renewal (optional)
Apply for a 1-year renewal at least 2 months before expiry. Same income verification required. After 2 years on this permit you must switch to another residency basis — the most natural next step is opening a Bulgarian company (EOOD).
Required Documents
- Passport valid for at least 18 months beyond the visa period
- Type D visa (issued at the Bulgarian embassy)
- Proof of remote employment or freelance income for 12 months (contracts, invoices, bank statements, platform screenshots — all translated and certified in Bulgarian)
- Health insurance valid in Bulgaria — minimum €30,000 coverage
- Lease agreement or proof of property ownership in Bulgaria
- No criminal record certificate with apostille
Digital Nomad Visa vs. Company Registration vs. Trade Representative Office (TRO) — Which Is Right for You?
| Option | Best for | Can work for local clients? | Leads to permanent residency? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote employees & freelancers | No | No (2-year max) |
| Company registration (EOOD) | Business owners, consultants | Yes | Yes (after 5 years) |
| Trade Representative Office (TRO) | Employees of foreign companies | No | Yes (after 5 years) |
Our honest take: The Digital Nomad Visa is genuinely excellent for a first 1–2 years in Bulgaria. But if you plan to stay long-term or want to serve European clients, registering a company is ultimately more flexible, cheaper per year, and the only path to permanent residency.
The choice between these three routes depends entirely on your specific situation — nationality, income source, how many years you plan to stay, and whether you have clients in Europe. Getting this right at the start saves a significant amount of time and money later.
