Discover Bulgaria: The New Digital Nomad Destination
If you're looking for your next remote work base, look beyond the usual hotspots in Portugal and Spain, and consider the newest member of the Schengen area, Bulgaria. This country has recently launched a visa for digital nomads.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this visa, candidates must be non-EEA (European Economic Area, which includes the 27 EU countries and the three EFTA countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) citizens who work remotely and earn income outside of Bulgaria. You must also meet one of the following three eligibility criteria:
- Be self-employed or a service provider who has been providing services to non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year prior to the application.
- Be a remote employee of a company registered outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
- Be a business owner or hold more than 25% of a company registered abroad.
Income Requirements
Candidates must prove an annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian minimum monthly salary, which is approximately €620 or at least €31,000 per year.
Application Process
To benefit from Bulgaria's digital nomad visa, candidates must obtain a long-stay visa (Type D) at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their country of origin. The long-stay visa allows foreigners to enter Bulgaria and apply for a residence permit.
Residence Permit
Once in Bulgaria, you must apply for a residence permit under the Digital Nomad Visa program within 14 days. To obtain a residence permit, candidates must provide:
- Proof of accommodation in Bulgaria
- A clean criminal record certificate from their country of residence
- Translations of any foreign documents into Bulgarian
- Meet the official minimum income threshold of €31,000 per year
Health Insurance
Candidates must also prove that they have health insurance that covers them in Bulgaria and is valid throughout the Schengen area.
Visa Validity
The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year, provided the eligibility conditions are met.
Good luck!
