Bulgaria opens Digital Nomad visa applications

Bulgaria has introduced a new digital nomad residence permit, creating a formal immigration pathway for remote workers for the first time. Applications for the permit opened on December 20, 2025. The new permit applies to three categories of foreign nationals who work remotely using technology for employers or businesses based outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The move places Bulgaria among countries offering tailored residence options for digital nomads amid global demand for flexible work arrangements. Under the rules, the first category covers foreign nationals employed by a company registered outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland, who provide services remotely and meet minimum salary requirements set by law. The second category includes foreign nationals who are part of the management, or who own more than 25% of a company registered outside these regions, provided they do not offer services to individuals or entities in Bulgaria. The third category applies to foreign nationals who have provided remote services using technology for at least one year before applying, do not serve Bulgarian entities and do not engage in freelancing activities in Bulgaria.126038219 Each category comes with its own documentation requirements. The residence permit will be valid for one year and can be extended once for an additional year. Applicants must first apply for a long-stay Visa D in their country of nationality or legal residence, a process expected to take one to two months. After entering Bulgaria with the Visa D, applicants must submit the same documents locally, with processing taking an estimated two to four weeks. The final step involves applying for an identification card, which may take between three and 30 calendar days. The permit also allows holders to sponsor dependents through a family reunification process.