Bulgaria•Europe1-2 months
250 EUR
1 year
Yes
Not Required
Allowed
No
Allowed
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.
Type D long-stay visa | 100 EUR |
Residence permit issuance | 150 EUR |
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).
Education
none or higher
Min. Income
27,550 EUR/yr
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
| Residence Permit Application | — |
| Application Steps | Apply for Type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in your country of nationality o… | fragomen.com |
| Discontinued | false | mfa.bg |
| Fee Breakdown | Type D long-stay visa: 100 EUR; Residence permit issuance: 150 EUR | mvr.bg |
| Fees | EUR 100 Type D visa + EUR 150 residence permit | mvr.bg |
| Official Info | https://www.mfa.bg/en/news/bulgaria-launches-digital-nomad-visa | mfa.bg |
| Max Stay | 1 year, renewable once for a second year (2 years maximum) | fragomen.com |
| Max Stay Estimate | type: years, totalDays: 730, notes: 1-year permit, renewable once for a second year; 2 years maximum… | fragomen.com |
| Official Code | Art. 24p LFRB | mhlegal.eu |
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