Bulgaria officially launched its digital nomad visa on 20 December 2025, joining a growing list of EU member states offering dedicated residency permits for remote workers. The programme targets non-EU citizens who earn their income entirely from outside Bulgaria and want to live in one of Europe's most affordable countries while paying some of the continent's lowest taxes.
What Is the Digital Nomad Visa?
Bulgaria's digital nomad visa is a residence permit for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens) who work remotely using information technologies for employers, clients, or their own companies registered outside the European Union.
The legal basis is Article 24(1)(23) and Article 24s of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (чл. 24с ЗЧРБ), introduced through amendments adopted by the National Assembly on 18 June 2025 and published in State Gazette No. 52 of 27 June 2025. The implementing rules (Article 32g of the Implementing Regulation) were adopted by the Council of Ministers on 10 December 2025, published in State Gazette No. 109 of 2025 and apply from 20 December 2025.
Unlike Bulgaria's standard business visa (which requires setting up a Bulgarian company), the digital nomad visa is designed for people who have no business operations in Bulgaria. You continue working for your foreign employer or clients while legally residing in the country.
EU citizens do not need this visa. If you hold an EU, EEA, or Swiss passport, you already have the right to live and work freely in Bulgaria under EU free movement rules. You can register for a long-term EU residence certificate at the Migration Directorate without a visa. See our Bulgaria tax residency guide for the EU citizen process.
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The part that decides this, not the paperwork: the permit is valid one year and may be extended only once — a statutory ceiling of 24 months. Our service page sets out what you convert into before it closes, and the clock turns your arrival month into the actual renewal, decision and expiry dates.
Who Qualifies: Three Categories of Applicants
The legislation defines three categories of eligible applicants. You must fall into at least one:
Category 1: Remote Employees of Foreign Companies
You are employed by a company registered outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and perform your work remotely using information and communication technologies. Your employment contract and salary must come from the foreign employer. This is the most common category and covers software developers, designers, marketers, customer support staff, consultants, and any other role that can be performed remotely.
Category 2: Freelancers and Independent Professionals
You personally provide remote services using information technologies to clients outside Bulgaria (clients in other EU countries are fine; work for persons in Bulgaria is not). You must have been doing so for at least one year prior to submitting the application. This one-year experience requirement is important: you cannot apply as a freelancer if you have just started freelancing. Proof includes invoices, contracts, and bank statements showing payments from foreign clients.
Category 3: Owners of Foreign Companies
You are a legal representative, member of the management body, owner, partner, or shareholder holding more than 25% of the capital of a company registered outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. This covers founders and majority shareholders who run their foreign businesses remotely from Bulgaria. The company must be operational and your work must be conducted via information technologies.
Income Requirement
Across all three categories, you must show average annual gross income of at least 50 Bulgarian minimum monthly wages “for the previous calendar year” (Article 24s(1) of the Foreigners Act). For an application filed in 2026 that is EUR 27,533: the 2025 minimum wage was BGN 1,077, or EUR 550.66 at the fixed rate, times 50. The wording also allows a second reading that uses the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620.20, which gives EUR 31,010. The Migration Directorate has no settled practice yet, so if your income falls between the two figures, talk to us before filing. The figure is a formula and changes every January.
Key Restriction: No Bulgarian Clients
Digital nomad visa holders are not granted access to the Bulgarian labour market. You cannot take up employment with a Bulgarian company, provide services to Bulgarian clients, or otherwise generate Bulgarian-sourced income. Your professional activities must be conducted entirely for entities outside Bulgaria.
Enforcement: If the Migration Directorate or tax authorities determine that you are working for Bulgarian clients, your residence permit may be revoked. Keep your client contracts and income records clearly documenting that all work is for foreign entities.
Requirements & Documents
The following documents are required for both the Type D visa application at the consulate and the subsequent residence permit application at the Migration Directorate:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | At least 18 months remaining validity, minimum two blank pages |
| Completed visa application form | Available at the Bulgarian embassy/consulate |
| Passport photographs | Recent, 35x45mm, white background |
| Proof of income | Bank statements, employment contract, pay slips, freelance invoices, or business ownership records showing gross income of at least EUR 27,533 for the previous calendar year (2026 application) |
| Employment or service contract | With foreign employer/clients (Category 1 and 2) or company registration documents (Category 3) |
| Proof of remote work | Documentation that your work is performed remotely via information technologies |
| Freelance experience (Category 2 only) | Evidence of at least 1 year of prior freelance activity |
| Health insurance | Private insurance valid in Bulgaria for the full duration of stay, minimum EUR 30,000 coverage including repatriation |
| Clean criminal record | From your country of nationality or of habitual residence, at the first application (Article 14(1)(6) of the Implementing Regulation); apostilled and translated |
| Proof of accommodation | Notarised rental agreement or notarial deed of ownership in Bulgaria; for a lease, also a declaration from the landlord |
| Visa/permit fee | D visa: EUR 100 (Article 9(3) of Tariff No. 3). Residence permit: EUR 260.76 (EUR 5.11 + EUR 255.65 for up to one year, Article 10(3) of Tariff No. 4), plus EUR 20.45–102.26 for the residence card |
Apostille and translation: All foreign documents must be apostilled (for Hague Convention countries) or legalized through the consular chain, then translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator. This process alone can take 2–4 weeks, so begin early. Criminal record certificates typically expire after 6 months.
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Book a Free Consultation →Application Process: Step by Step
The application follows a two-stage process: first at a Bulgarian consulate abroad, then at the Migration Directorate in Bulgaria.
Step 1: Apply for a Type D (Long-Stay) Visa at a Bulgarian Consulate
You must apply in person at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Applications cannot be submitted from within Bulgaria.
- Processing time: Typically 30–45 working days, though it can vary between 2 and 8 weeks depending on the consulate and complexity of the case. Check with the nearest Bulgarian consulate for current processing times
- Visa validity: Up to 6 months, allowing you to enter Bulgaria and apply for the residence permit
- Fee: EUR 100 (Article 9(3) of Tariff No. 3); where the consulate uses an outsourcing provider, the provider adds its own service charge
Step 2: Enter Bulgaria and Register Your Address
Within 3 days of entry, you must declare in writing the address where you will stay, on an address card filed with the Ministry of Interior (Article 18(1) of the Foreigners Act; hotels do this for their guests). Your landlord must either accompany you or provide a notarized declaration of consent. For details, see our address registration guide.
Step 3: Apply for a Residence Permit at the Migration Directorate
No later than 14 days before your authorised stay on the D visa expires (Article 14(2) of the Implementing Regulation; the D visa allows a stay of up to 180 days), you must apply for a residence permit at the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (Direkciya "Migratsiya"). In Sofia, this is located on Maria Louiza Blvd. Regional offices handle applications outside the capital.
- Permit duration: 1 year
- Processing time: Approximately 14–30 days
- Fee: EUR 260.76 for the permit (Article 10(3) of Tariff No. 4) plus EUR 20.45 (standard), EUR 40.90 (fast) or EUR 102.26 (express) for the residence card
- Renewal: The permit can be renewed once for an additional year, for a maximum total of 2 years
Renewal timing: The legal deadline is no later than 14 days before your current permit expires (Article 14(2) of the Implementing Regulation); if you file in time, you may stay until the decision (Article 24s(2) of the Foreigners Act). We recommend filing at least 30 days before expiry. Late applications can result in gaps in your legal stay. If your permit expires without renewal, you must leave Bulgaria and reapply for a new D visa from abroad.
Applying From Abroad? We Can Represent You
With a power of attorney, our lawyers can handle the Migration Directorate process on your behalf. We also prepare your full document package for the consular D visa application.
Get Started →Tax Implications for Digital Nomads in Bulgaria
This is where most applicants have questions. The digital nomad visa itself does not create or exempt you from tax residency. Your tax status depends on how many days you spend in Bulgaria.
The 183-Day Rule
Under the Bulgarian Income Tax on Natural Persons Act, you become a Bulgarian tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in Bulgaria during any 12-month period (with the residency assigned to the calendar year in which the 183rd day falls).
- More than 183 days = tax resident: Bulgaria taxes your worldwide income at a flat 10% personal income tax. This includes your remote work salary, freelance earnings, investment income, and any other income regardless of source
- 183 days or fewer = non-resident: You are only taxed on Bulgarian-sourced income, which generally does not include income from remote work for foreign employers or clients. Most digital nomads who stay under 183 days will owe no Bulgarian income tax
Centre of vital interests: Even if you spend fewer than 183 days in Bulgaria, you can still become a tax resident if your centre of vital interests is in Bulgaria (e.g., your family lives there, your primary property is there, your main bank accounts are Bulgarian). Plan carefully if you intend to maintain non-resident status. See our tax residency guide for a thorough analysis.
What This Means in Practice
If you use the digital nomad visa to live in Bulgaria full-time (which most holders will), you will likely exceed 183 days and become a tax resident. At 10% flat tax on personal income, Bulgaria offers one of the lowest income tax rates in the EU. For comparison:
| Country | Income Tax Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 10% flat | No progressive brackets |
| Portugal (NHR) | 20% flat (qualifying income) | NHR regime being phased out |
| Spain (Beckham Law) | 24% flat (up to EUR 600K) | Special expat regime |
| Germany | 14–45% progressive | Plus solidarity surcharge |
| United Kingdom | 20–45% progressive | Plus National Insurance |
Running Your Own Company? Combined Tax Rate Is 15%
If you fall under Category 3 (owner of a foreign company) and decide to register a Bulgarian company in the future, the combined effective tax rate on corporate profits distributed as dividends is 15% (10% corporate income tax + 5% dividend withholding tax). This is among the lowest combined rates in the EU.
Double Tax Treaties
Bulgaria has double tax treaties with over 70 countries to prevent being taxed twice on the same income. If you are transitioning your tax residency, proper planning is essential. You may need to formally deregister your tax residency in your home country to avoid dual taxation.
Social Security & Health Insurance
Social Security: You Are Generally Not Covered
Digital nomad visa holders working for foreign employers or their own foreign companies are not enrolled in the Bulgarian social security system. Social security contributions are only mandatory when you have a direct contractual relationship with a Bulgarian entity, which the digital nomad visa explicitly prohibits.
This means:
- You will not receive Bulgarian state pension accrual, unemployment benefits, or maternity/paternity benefits
- You should maintain social security coverage from your home country (if your country allows it while you reside abroad) or make private arrangements for retirement savings and income protection
- If you later become a Bulgarian tax resident and earn self-employment income, consult an advisor about potential health insurance contribution obligations under Bulgarian law
Health Insurance: Private Coverage Is Mandatory
You must obtain private health insurance that meets the following requirements:
- Valid in Bulgaria for the entire duration of your stay
- Minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 for medical expenses and emergency repatriation
- Must comply with EU standards
- The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is not relevant here — the EHIC is for EU/EEA citizens, and this visa is exclusively for non-EU citizens
Annual premiums for qualifying private health insurance typically range from EUR 300 to EUR 800, depending on your age, coverage level, and provider. For a comprehensive breakdown, see our health insurance guide for foreigners in Bulgaria.
Tip: If you become a Bulgarian tax resident (183+ days), you may also be required to enrol in the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and pay health contributions of 8% on your income. This is separate from the private insurance needed for the visa application. Consult an advisor on how this interacts with your specific situation.
Digital Nomad Visa vs. Other Residency Options
How does the digital nomad visa compare to other routes for non-EU citizens to live in Bulgaria?
| Feature | Digital Nomad Visa | D Visa (Company) | Golden Visa | Freelancer Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Remote workers with foreign income | Entrepreneurs starting a Bulgarian business | Investors (EUR 255K+) | EU citizens freelancing in Bulgaria |
| Bulgarian company needed? | No | Yes (EOOD/OOD) | Yes | No (register as freelancer) |
| Income/investment threshold | EUR 27,533 (2026 application) | No fixed threshold (must show sufficient means) | EUR 255,000+ investment | N/A (EU citizens only) |
| Maximum duration | 2 years (1+1) | Unlimited (renewable annually) | Permanent from start | Unlimited (EU right) |
| Path to permanent residency? | No (must switch routes) | Yes (after 5 years) | Yes (immediate) | Yes (EU citizen rights) |
| Can work for Bulgarian clients? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Approx. cost (first year) | EUR 1,000–2,500 | EUR 2,000–6,000 | EUR 4,000–12,000 | EUR 200–500 |
| Processing time | 2–4 months | 3–6 months | 8–12 months | 1–2 weeks |
Planning beyond 2 years? The digital nomad visa is capped at 2 years with no path to permanent residency. If you plan to stay in Bulgaria long-term, consider starting with the digital nomad visa to test the waters, then transitioning to a company-based D visa or Golden Visa for a permanent solution. For EU citizens who want to freelance in Bulgaria, see our freelancer tax rate guide.
Not Sure Which Route Fits Your Situation?
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Book Free Consultation →"I'm not sure I meet the income threshold." The EUR 27,533 threshold (2026 applications) is based on the previous calendar year's income. If you're close to the threshold or your income fluctuates, we can review your documentation and advise on the strongest way to present your application. The threshold is calculated as an annual average, so a few lower months don't necessarily disqualify you if your total meets the minimum.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income requirement for Bulgaria's digital nomad visa?
Can EU citizens apply for the Bulgaria digital nomad visa?
Do digital nomads become Bulgarian tax residents?
Can I work for Bulgarian clients on the digital nomad visa?
How long can I stay in Bulgaria on the digital nomad visa?
Is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) sufficient for the digital nomad visa?
Do I need to pay Bulgarian social security contributions on the digital nomad visa?
Can my family join me on the digital nomad visa?
Sources
- Bulgaria, Personal Income Tax Act (ZDDFL), Article 4 — the residence test: four alternative grounds, of which the day count is presence for more than 183 days in any 12-month period (Art. 4(1)(2)) and the centre of vital interests is Art. 4(4). See also the National Revenue Agency page on local and foreign persons.
- Bulgaria, Corporate Income Tax Act (ZKPO) — the corporate rate of 10%, and Article 200(1), which sets the tax on the dividend income described in Article 194 at 5%. Combined burden on distributed profit: 15%.
- Bulgaria, Value Added Tax Act (ZDDS), Article 96 — compulsory registration once turnover in the country exceeds the national threshold of EUR 51,130; the Union threshold is EUR 100,000. Standard rate 20%.
- Bulgaria, Social Insurance Code (KSO) and Health Insurance Act (ZZO) — the contribution regime for self-insured persons and company managers, with minimum and maximum insurable income reset by the annual budget acts.