Bulgaria Digital Nomad Visa

Who qualifies

The permit is for nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who provide services remotely through information technology and fit one of three categories.^1,2

• Remote employees of an employer registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. A fixed-term contract must run at least as long as the permit applied for.
• Company owners and managers: a legal representative, board member, owner, partner or shareholder with more than 25% of a company registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
• Freelancers who have personally provided remote services for at least one year before applying.

Source: Kinstellar: Bulgaria introduces residence permit for digital nomads (July 2025); BESCO: Are you a digital nomad? A practical step-by-step guide (19 February 2026, Bulgarian)^1,2

In all three categories you may not work for, or provide services to, people or businesses in Bulgaria. Working for Bulgarian clients needs a different permit; see Work Permits.¹

The income threshold

You must show average annual gross income for the previous calendar year of at least 50 Bulgarian minimum monthly wages. You also need means of at least the minimum monthly wage or pension for each month of the stay.^3,2

For an application in 2026, Innovires puts the threshold at €27,533, based on the 2025 minimum wage. Several guides instead use the 2026 minimum wage of €620.20, which gives €31,010. Income of at least €31,010 meets both readings.^4,5,6

Documents

Source: BESCO: Are you a digital nomad? A practical step-by-step guide (19 February 2026, Bulgarian)²

• Passport copy with the Type D visa and the last entry stamp, with the original to compare.
• Proof of income for the previous calendar year, and of means for the stay.
• Proof of housing in Bulgaria: a notarial deed or lease, and a declaration from the owner, with a notarised signature if the owner does not file it in person.
• Mandatory health insurance valid in Bulgaria for the whole stay.
• A criminal record certificate from your country of nationality or usual residence.
• Proof that the state fee is paid.

Source: BESCO: Are you a digital nomad? A practical step-by-step guide (19 February 2026, Bulgarian); Ministry of Interior: Procedure for digital nomads (Bulgarian, PDF copy)^2,3

Foreign documents need an apostille or legalisation, as applicable, and a certified translation into Bulgarian.²

Timing

• Type D visa: applied for at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate for your country of permanent residence, with a mandatory interview. Euronews reports four to eight weeks.
• Residence permit: filed in person, on paper, at the Migration Directorate or a regional Ministry of Interior office, no later than 14 days before the visa expires. The decision takes up to 14 days, or a month if documents are missing.
• Overall: Euronews puts the whole process at over three months, ending with the residence card.

Source: BESCO: Are you a digital nomad? A practical step-by-step guide (19 February 2026, Bulgarian); Euronews: Bulgaria has launched a digital nomad visa (7 January 2026); Ministry of Interior: Procedure for digital nomads (Bulgarian, PDF copy)^2,5,3

Family members

Once you hold the permit, your spouse and children can apply for family reunification. You file the application at the Migration Directorate with each family member’s passport, housing, means of at least the minimum wage or pension per person, criminal record certificate and marriage or birth certificate.^2,3

The decision takes up to a month. Family members then have six months to apply for a Type D visa, and after arrival they file their passport and health insurance no later than 14 days before the visa expires.²

Renewal and limits

• The first permit lasts one year and can be renewed once, for two years in total, if you still meet every condition.
• Time on the permit does not lead to permanent residence.
• No work permit is needed, but you may not take work in Bulgaria on this permit.

Source: Kinstellar: Bulgaria introduces residence permit for digital nomads (July 2025); Innovires: Digital nomad visa Bulgaria 2026^1,4

Tax

The permit does not by itself make you tax resident. You become a Bulgarian tax resident with a permanent address in Bulgaria, more than 183 days in the country in any 12 months, or your centre of vital interests in Bulgaria.^4,7

Residents are taxed on worldwide income at a flat 10%, and tax treaties can prevent double taxation. Details are on Income Tax.^7,10

State fees

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Consular fees; Ministry of Interior: Fees for foreigners under Tariff No. 4 (DOC)^8,9

Immigration lawyers in Bulgaria can prepare and file the application.