A New Visa On The Horizon
Bulgaria just launched a digital nomad visa.
It became law in late June (as announced here) and took effect on July 1, 2025. The new visa creates a clear legal path for remote workers to live in Bulgaria without a local employer.
This is a great deal for anyone who works online and wants a base in the European Union. Bulgaria is now a full Schengen member, so once you hold a valid Bulgarian long-stay visa or residence card, you can move around the Schengen area for short trips under the usual 90-in-180 rules. That makes weekend trips simple and helps with client meetings across Europe.
Who is this for?
Remote employees with foreign employers.
Freelancers who serve clients abroad.
Founders who own or manage non-EU companies and work online.
You need to show at least the equivalent of 50 times Bulgaria’s statutory monthly minimum wage as gross annual income for the previous year (which comes out around $27-30k USD per year). The final figure moves with the minimum wage, but this gives you a rough idea.
Bulgaria was already one of Europe’s most affordable countries.
Sofia, Plovdiv and Bansko draw a steady flow of founders and remote teams. What was missing was a dedicated permit that did not force you into local employment or a startup scheme. With this update, the path is simpler. The process details are rolling out through the migration directorate and consular posts. Early guidance from the government and leading firms suggests a one-year permit with the option to extend once.
Here is what you can expect in this guide.
Clear requirements. A step-by-step process. Costs and timelines. Benefits and risks. City picks (I’m biased since I got my personal favourite) and practical tips.
Why Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is not the first country you hear about when people talk nomad hubs. But that might be an advantage. It’s cheaper, less crowded, and still connected.
Cost of living is very affordable. In Sofia, you can rent a good one-bedroom apartment in a central area for €400–€600 a month. Lunch in a neighborhood restaurant can be €6–€8. A co-working desk in Bansko is around €150 a month. Even in Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city and a cultural hotspot, prices stay well below Western Europe.
The lifestyle mix is amazing. In a single weekend you can ski in the Pirin mountains, soak in mineral hot springs, and fly to the Black Sea coast. Summers are warm and dry, winters are snowy in the mountains. The food is fresh, seasonal, and affordable.
Bulgaria has a growing nomad infrastructure. Bansko now hosts one of Europe’s biggest annual digital nomad gatherings. Sofia has a strong coworking scene with spaces like Betahaus and Soho. Plovdiv blends old-town charm with a lively café culture that works well for remote work.
Connectivity is great as well. From Sofia, flights to Vienna, Athens, or Istanbul take under two hours. You can reach much of Europe in three.
And then there’s future potential. Bulgaria is still under the radar compared to Portugal or Spain. The new visa signals the government wants more remote workers. Getting in early could mean lower competition for housing, smoother bureaucracy, and a bigger say in shaping the local nomad community.
Visa Requirements
The rules are set out in Bulgaria’s Foreigners Act amendments and clarified by the migration authorities. They create a clear checklist for who can apply and what proof is needed.
Who can apply
Freelancers working with foreign clients
Remote employees with an employer outside Bulgaria
Owners or managers of companies registered outside the EU who work online
Income requirement
You must show gross annual income of at least 50 times Bulgaria’s statutory monthly minimum wage for the previous year. In 2025, that works out to around €27,500. The exact figure changes each year as the minimum wage changes.
Proof of income
Employment contract or service agreement with a foreign company
Invoices and payment proofs for freelance work
Bank statements covering the past 12 months
Tax returns, if available, from your country of residence
Other requirements
Passport valid for at least 18 months beyond the application date
Proof of health insurance valid in Bulgaria
Clean criminal record certificate from your home country (and any country you’ve lived in over the past 3 years)
Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (rental agreement or hotel booking)
Translations of all documents into Bulgarian by a certified translator
Important notes
Documents often need to be legalized or apostilled, depending on your country.
Bulgarian authorities can request additional proof if they have doubts about your income or eligibility.
If applying with family, you’ll need marriage or birth certificates, also translated and legalised.
Application Process
The government has not yet released a usable “how-to” guide, so most of what we know comes from the law itself and early briefings from migration offices and consulates.
So I took the liberty to do this myself (no guarantees).
1. Check your eligibility
Make sure your work fits the remote or freelance definition, your clients or employer are based outside Bulgaria, and your annual income meets the threshold. If you fall short, applying will likely lead to a refusal.
2. Gather your documents
Valid passport (needs 18 months validity from application date)
Proof of income (contracts, invoices, bank statements)
Health insurance for your stay in Bulgaria
Criminal record check(s)
Proof of accommodation
Any family documents if applying with dependents
Every foreign-language document must be translated into Bulgarian by a certified translator. Many will also need legalization or an apostille, depending on where they were issued.
3. Prepare your application
You can apply through a Bulgarian consulate in your home country or, if you are already in Bulgaria legally, at a local Migration Directorate office. Some applicants use local law firms to prepare and submit their file to avoid missing details.
4. Submit and pay fees
At the time of writing, the government fee for a long-stay “D” visa (the entry visa for long-term permits) is around €100. Legal and translation fees can costs around €250–€300. Fees are usually paid in local currency at the time of submission.
5. Wait for processing
Official processing time for the D visa is up to 3 months, but many applicants see results in 4–8 weeks. Delays can happen if documents are incomplete or if the consulate needs to verify income.
6. Travel to Bulgaria
Once approved, you have a limited time window (usually 3 months) to enter Bulgaria on your D visa. On arrival, you must register your address within 5 days at the local Migration Directorate.
7. Apply for the residence permit
The D visa allows you to apply for your actual residence permit from inside Bulgaria. This involves another set of forms, photos, and a biometric scan. The residence card is typically valid for 1 year.
8. Renewal
If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a renewal before your current permit expires. Early reports suggest renewals will require fresh proof of income and insurance. The law caps this specific nomad-based residence at 2 years total (1+1).
This sounds like a lot, but it’s actually quite straightforward. One of my best friends did it already, and it was less of a hassle than his Cyprus immigration (which I also did on 2020, and even this was not too bad).
Costs & Timelines
Application costs
Here’s what most applicants can expect:
Government fee for the D visa: ~€100
Residence permit issuance fee: ~€55–€100 (varies by speed of processing)
Document translations: €10–€15 per page
Legalization/apostille: €20–€50 per document, depending on your country
Health insurance: €200–€400 per year for international coverage that meets Bulgarian requirements
Miscellaneous: passport photos, local transport to offices, courier fees — budget €50–€100
If you hire a local lawyer or visa service to prepare your application, add €300–€800 depending on their role.
A straightforward, self-prepared application can cost around €250–€400. With legal help and fast service, expect €800–€1,200.
Living costs for the first months
Bulgaria is affordable compared to much of Europe, but upfront costs are higher when you first arrive.
Plan for:
First month’s rent + deposit: €800–€1,200 (Sofia), €600–€900 (Plovdiv), €500–€700 (Bansko)
Coworking: €120–€150/month
Utilities & internet: €70–€100/month
Food & groceries: €250–€400/month depending on habits
Transport: €25–€40/month for a Sofia public transport card, more if using taxis or car rentals regularly
For the first three months, including one-time move-in costs, budget €3,000–€4,000 to settle in comfortably. After that, most nomads spend €1,200–€1,700/month in Sofia or €800–€1,200/month in smaller cities (my friend rents a 1-bed in Bansko for €200/month).
Timelines
If you have all your documents ready, the process can be fast. Most people spend two to four weeks preparing their paperwork, mainly waiting for translations, apostilles, or criminal record checks. Once your file is complete, you submit it to a Bulgarian consulate or the local migration office if you are already in the country.
The D visa stage usually takes four to eight weeks. The law allows up to three months, but many applicants see approvals sooner if their documents are in order. Delays happen when the authorities need to verify income or request extra proof.
After you enter Bulgaria on your D visa, you will register your address and apply for the residence permit. This part is quicker. Expect two to four weeks from submitting your application to receiving your residence card.
From the day you start gathering documents to the day you have your card in hand, most applicants complete the process in two to four months.
Benefits Of Bulgaria As A Base
1. A legal base in the EU
The new visa gives you the right to live in Bulgaria while working for yourself or a foreign company. Once you hold a valid residence card, you can travel more freely across Europe, especially now that Bulgaria is part of the Schengen zone.
2. Schengen travel without tourist limits
Your residence card lets you move around Schengen countries for short visits under the 90/180-day rule, without having to reset your tourist visa clock every few months.
3. Low living costs
Bulgaria offers one of the most affordable lifestyles in the EU. You can live well on a fraction of what you’d spend in Western Europe, while still enjoying good internet, coworking spaces, and a strong café culture.
4. Family inclusion
You can bring a spouse and dependent children. They get residence cards too, though they won’t automatically have the right to work unless they qualify for their own permit.
5. Pathway to longer stays
The visa is initially for one year, with the option to renew once. While it’s not a direct track to permanent residency, your time in Bulgaria can count toward other residence routes if you switch to a different permit later.
6. Low taxes if you plan ahead
Bulgaria has a flat 10% personal income tax rate (one of the lowest in the EU). If you structure your work properly and become a tax resident, you could reduce your overall tax burden significantly. Professional advice is essential here to avoid double taxation.
7. Strong community potential
Nomad hubs like Bansko and Sofia already host a mix of founders, freelancers, and tech workers. With the new visa, the community will likely grow, making it easier to network, collaborate, and settle in.
8. Strategic location
You’re a short flight from much of Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. That’s useful for both work travel and personal trips.
What To Watch Out For
1. Tax residency rules
If you spend more than 183 days in Bulgaria in a calendar year, you become a tax resident. That means you may owe Bulgarian tax on your worldwide income. For some, this is a benefit because of the low 10% rate. For others (like me), it can cause complications if they have income in multiple countries or their home country taxes them differently.
2. Bureaucracy can be slow
While the new visa framework is clear on paper, Bulgarian administration still moves at its own pace. Offices may give slightly different instructions, and it’s common to make multiple trips for a single step. Having a local contact or lawyer helps.
3. Language barrier
Not all officials speak English, especially outside major cities. Most official documents are in Bulgarian and must be translated. This adds cost and time to the process.
4. Limited healthcare for non-citizens
Unless you enroll in Bulgaria’s public system, you’ll need private insurance. The public system is inexpensive but has limited coverage compared to Western Europe. Most nomads keep their own international health plan.
5. Policy changes
This is a brand new visa route. Requirements could shift as the government refines the program or responds to demand. Staying up to date is important, especially if you plan to renew.
6. One-year limit with short renewal window
The visa is valid for a year and can be renewed only once under the same basis. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to switch to a different type of residence permit.
7. Seasonal housing pressure in some hubs
In places like Bansko, demand spikes during ski season. That can make short-term rentals harder to find and drive prices up for a few months of the year.
Insider Tips
Some things worth mentioning.
Pick your base wisely
Sofia is the capital and best for connections, both flights and business. The coworking scene is active, and there’s a good mix of international and local food.
Plovdiv offers a slower pace, a historic old town, and a growing creative scene. Costs are lower than Sofia, and it’s well-connected by train and bus.
Bansko is the mountain hub, famous for its ski season and the annual Digital Nomad Fest. Winters are lively, summers are quiet but cheap.
Budget realistically
If you plan to live in Sofia or Plovdiv, €1,200–€1,500 per month gives you a comfortable lifestyle with coworking, eating out a few times a week, and some travel. In Bansko, you can live well for €900–€1,200.
Sort your SIM card on arrival
Major providers like A1, Vivacom, and Yettel sell prepaid packages with plenty of data. These can be set up in minutes with your passport.
Learn some Bulgarian basics
Even a handful of words goes a long way in smaller towns or when dealing with local offices. Numbers, greetings, and “thank you” help smooth interactions.
Think ahead about taxes
If you plan to stay the full year, get advice before you cross the 183-day mark. Bulgaria’s tax system is simple, but every case is different.
To Sum It Up
Bulgaria’s new digital nomad visa fills a gap that many remote workers have been watching for years.
It offers a legal way to stay long-term in an affordable EU country with good infrastructure, direct Schengen access, and a location that makes travel easy.
If you meet the income requirement and can handle some paperwork, this visa is worth considering for 2025. It might not be as famous as Portugal or Spain’s programs yet, but that’s exactly why it could be a smart move now.
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Aww this is really a great opportunity for people like me