The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to:

• Live in Bulgaria for up to 1 year and extend for another year;
• Work remotely for foreign clients or employers while residing in Bulgaria;
• Open a bank account, rent long-term housing, and integrate into local life;
• Potentially benefit from Bulgaria’s flat 10% income tax if you become tax resident;
• You can travel freely within the Schengen Area.

This visa is designed for professionals whose income comes from outside Bulgaria, whether remote employees, freelancers, or business owners managing foreign-registered companies. 

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, you must:

– Be a citizen of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country;
– Work remotely:

• Employed under contract with a foreign employer;
• Self-employed/freelancer serving foreign clients;
• Owner or executive (≥25% stake) in a foreign company working remotely.

You should not work for Bulgarian companies or provide local services while on this visa.

Income & Financial Requirements

A central eligibility condition is demonstrating sufficient income:

You must show an average annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian minimum monthly wage for the previous year (roughly € 31 000 per year).

Required Documents

Prepare to submit:

🗸 Proof of income (contracts, invoices, bank statements);

🗸 Foreign employment contract or company registration documents;

🗸 Private health insurance valid in Bulgaria;

🗸 Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, property ownership, etc.);

🗸 Police clearance / clean criminal record certificate;

🗸 Valid passport and visa forms. 

All foreign documents must be legalized (apostille where required) and officially translated into Bulgarian.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Prepare your documents;
2. Apply for a Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian consulate in your home country;
3. Enter Bulgaria with your Type D visa;
4. Submit the residence permit application at the Migration Office in Bulgaria;
5. Await a decision — processing may take several weeks depending on completeness and local workload.

Once approved, you receive a residence permit valid for 1 year, renewable for another year if eligibility continues.

Important Conditions to Maintain Your Visa

To keep your status:

• Maintain your foreign source income above the threshold;
• Keep valid health insurance covering your entire stay;
• Continue to not work for local Bulgarian clients or companies;
• Spend a substantial portion of time residing in Bulgaria.

While the framework is clear, the application process demands precision and legal understanding. Mistakes in document preparation, legalization, or misunderstanding the income criteria can delay or jeopardize approval.

As an attorney experienced in migration and employment law, we help digital nomads navigate:

• Eligibility assessment;
• Structuring contracts and proof of income;
• Legalization and translation coordination;
• Full representation before Bulgarian authorities.

If you’re considering Bulgaria as your next remote work base — let’s talk. A proper legal strategy gives you confidence to relocate smoothly and focus on your work and lifestyle.