If you’re looking for your next remote work location, consider Bulgaria besides your usual locations in Portugal and Spain. According to Euronews, the country recently launched a digital nomad visa.
In addition to the new visa, last year Bulgaria switched to the euro and joined the Schengen Area, a group of 29 European countries with open borders.
To apply for a digital nomad visa, applicants must be non-EU/EEA nationals who work remotely and earn their income outside of Bulgaria. You must also meet one of the following three eligibility criteria:
Freelancers or independent contractors who provide services to non-Bulgarian customers for at least one year before applying. Remote employees of companies registered outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Owner of a company or a company that owns 25% or more of a business registered abroad.
Applicants must present proof of an annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage, 620 euros or $723, or at least 31,000 euros or $36,168.
Bulgaria
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To avail the Bulgarian digital nomad visa, applicants must obtain a type D long-stay visa at the Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their home country. Type D long-stay visa allows foreigners to enter Bulgaria and apply for residency. Once you arrive in Bulgaria, you have 14 days to apply for a residence permit under the Digital Nomad Visa Program.
To obtain a residence permit, applicants must provide proof of residence in Bulgaria, a criminal record certificate from the country of residence, translations of foreign documents into Bulgarian, and meet the official minimum income threshold of $36,168 per year.
According to Euronews, applicants must also present proof of health insurance that is covered in Bulgaria and valid throughout the Schengen area.
The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Bulgaria is one of the oldest countries in Europe and is approximately the same size as the US state of Virginia.
According to Britannica, the capital Sofia is home to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Christian buildings in the world. The country is home to famous ski resorts and is also a popular destination for winter sports.
Conversion to US dollars was made on January 9, 2026 using the OANDA exchange rate of 1 EUR to 1.16 USD. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.
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