In the last few years, Bulgaria has established itself as one of the most popular countries in Europe for digital nomads. Bansko, in particular, a small town in the mountains, is now home to a thriving digital nomad community. It has even launched the Bansko Nomad Fest which gathers hundreds of digital nomads every year. Meanwhile, other cities such as Plovdiv, Sofia and Varna are becoming increasingly popular among the community.
It is not surprising that in December 2025, the Bulgarian government finally launched a digital nomad visa. The via has a 12-month validity and can be renewed for one additional year. Here’s everything you need to know about applying including who is eligible, a list of required documents and some information about the application process.
Who can apply for the newly launched Bulgarian Digital Nomad Visa?
Three remote workers are currently allowed to apply:
- Employees of companies located outside of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
- Foreign nationals who are either part of a company’s management or own at least 25 percent of the company, provided that this serves customers outside Bulgaria. The company must also be located outside of the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
- Freelancers who have been in the business for at least one year and do not work with Bulgarian clients.
Application process to obtain a digital nomad visa for Bulgaria
Applicants are required to submit a Visa D application in their country of nationality or legal residence. This process usually takes one to two months.
Once this is approved, digital nomads can head to Bulgaria where they will have up to 14 days to register for residency with the Ministry of Interior’s Migration Directorate. Applicants will have to present their approved Visa D to be registered which may take from two to four weeks.
Once the residence permit is approved, they will receive an ID card. This last step should take from three to thirty days.
Documents needed to apply
Applicants will need to provide a variety of documents for their digital nomad application to be successful. These include bank statements showing sufficient funds to sustain themselves during their stay.
Unfortunately, it remains unclear what minimum salary and/or bank balance is required by the Bulgarian government. Different media outlets report numbers going from €31,000 (50 times the minimum Bulgarian wage of €620 as of January 2025) to €27,550. Dispatches Europe has contacted the Bulgarian authorities for clarification and will update this article once an official statement is issued.
Applicants will also need to provide standard documents, including:
- Passport copy
- Full-colour passport photo
- Proof of remote work
- Clean criminal record
- Address of accommodation
- International health insurance policy
A few extra questions for those thinking of applying
How much does the digital nomad visa for Bulgaria cost?
According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website, Visa D types are subject to a 100 euro fee (about $117 as of 2 January, 2026).
Will I have to pay taxes in Bulgaria?
This depends on how long you’re planning to stay in the country. Digital nomad visa holders spending more than 183 days per year in Bulgaria are considered tax residents. On the bright side, the Bulgarian government has introduced a 10 percent flat tax which is regarded as relatively low, especially by European standards.
How long does it take to apply for a Bulgarian digital nomad visa?
The entire process can take from less than two months to about four months.
What about relatives?
Applicants can apply for residence permits for their close relatives, making the new visa an excellent opportunity for families.
Can the visa lead to permanent residency?
Unfortunately, no. For now, the Bulgarian digital nomad visa can only be extended for one year.
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Read more about digital nomad visas in Bulgaria here in Dispatches’ archives.
Read more about digital nomad lifestyle in Bulgaria here on Dispatches.
Cristina Miceli
contributors, and her work has been featured on several publications, including The Cabo Sun,
Bookmundi, SleepingInAirports, and more. Cristina is a huge promoter of slow travelling and
prefers long train rides to quick flights, analogue photography to selfies, and unknown towns to
massive metropolises. When she’s not writing breaking news or reporting her latest adventures, you may find her
drinking way too much tea, reading whatever book she found on the road, or playing her
classical guitar. Cristina has travelled to more than 30 countries on three continents, always slowly. One of her proudest achievements is a trip from Italy all the way to Gambia, avoiding planes.
