Bulgaria•EuropeDigital Nomad Residence Permit (Разрешение за пребиваване на дигитален номад)
At a Glance
1–2 months
EUR €250
1 year
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Overview
Bulgarian residence permit (Art. 24p, launched Dec 2025) for non-EU remote workers, freelancers, and foreign-company owners earning EUR 27,550+ per year.
Bulgaria's Digital Nomad Residence Permit (Article 24p of the Foreigners Act) opened on 20 December 2025 as the first formal route for non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers. Three profiles qualify: foreign-employed remote staff, 25%+ owners of foreign companies, and freelancers with a year of prior foreign-client service. Income must reach 50x the Bulgarian minimum wage, about EUR 27,550 a year.
The permit lasts one year, renewable once, with a hard two-year cap and no PR route. Entry is two-stage: a Type D visa (EUR 100) takes 30 to 60 days at a consulate, then the residence permit (approx. EUR 150) is issued in 14 to 30 days. Holders cannot serve Bulgarian clients; dependents may join via family reunification but need their own work authorisation.
This visa is ideal for established remote workers, foreign-company owners, and freelancers from outside the EU seeking a low-cost Schengen base for up to two years without pursuing PR.
Cost Breakdown
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss).
Falls into one of three categories: (a) remote employee of a non-EU/EEA/Swiss employer, (b) owner/shareholder (>=25%) or board member of a foreign company managed remotely, or (c) freelancer with at least 1 year of prior remote service to foreign clients.
No Bulgarian-based clients, employers, or income sources.
Annual income at least 50x the Bulgarian gross monthly minimum wage (approx. EUR 27,550 in 2025).
Valid health insurance covering the full period of stay, minimum EUR 30,000 coverage.
Evidence of accommodation in Bulgaria.
Clean criminal record (police clearance from country of origin or residence).
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
27,550 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Passport valid for at least 18 months
Type D long-stay visa
Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (lease or notarised owner declaration)
Health insurance policy covering at least EUR 30,000 for the full stay
Proof of annual income at least 50x Bulgarian minimum monthly wage
Evidence of qualifying remote-work activity (employment contract, company registration, or freelance client history)
Police clearance certificate from country of origin or residence
Color passport-format photo
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- First formal Bulgarian pathway for remote workers; launched 20 December 2025 under Art. 24p LFRB.
- Income threshold relatively low: ~EUR 27,550/year (50x Bulgarian minimum wage).
- Low combined cost: EUR 100 Type D visa plus EUR 150 residence permit.
- Three qualifying profiles: remote employees, 25%+ foreign-company owners, and established freelancers.
- Dependents may join via family reunification.
- Bulgaria offers EU residency with the EU's lowest cost of living and 10% flat tax.
- Renewable once for a second year, giving a clean two-year horizon.
Worth Knowing
- Hard two-year cap; not a route to permanent residence or citizenship.
- All income must come from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
- Freelancers must show at least one year of prior remote service to foreign clients.
- Type D visa stage takes 30-60 days at the consulate before travel is possible.
- Dependents need separate work authorisation to take up employment in Bulgaria.
- Closed to EU/EEA/Swiss nationals (they already have free movement and do not qualify).
- Prohibits any work for Bulgarian companies or services to Bulgaria-based clients.
- Annual income below ~EUR 27,550 disqualifies the application outright.
Application Process
Apply for Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or legal residence
Provide documents proving qualifying remote-work category, income, accommodation, insurance, and clean record
Receive Type D visa (typically 30-60 days; valid up to 6 months, max 180 days stay)
Enter Bulgaria on the Type D visa
Submit residence permit application at the local Migration Directorate within the Type D validity window
Pay residence permit issuance fee (approx. EUR 150)
Await decision (typically 14-30 days)
Collect digital nomad residence card valid for 1 year, renewable once
Application Forms
| Residence Permit Application | — |
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