Bulgaria is moving forward with the establishment of a digital nomad visa, opening the way for non-EU citizens who work remotely to settle in the country, at a time when it will adopt the euro and join the Schengen Area by 2025. The new policy allows residence for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal for another year, provided specific income and professional criteria are met.
At the same time, Greece, although among the most popular destinations for digital nomads, continues to move at a slower pace in terms of implementation, tax clarity, and administrative simplification.
Meanwhile, the initiative strengthens Bulgaria’s position as an attractive base for long-term travelers and remote work professionals, leveraging a lower cost of living compared to Western European countries and ease of movement within Schengen. Applicants must have an annual income of at least €31,000, initially apply for a long-stay type D visa, and, after arrival, complete the residence permit procedures.
At the same time, cities such as Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna are investing in remote work infrastructure, co-working spaces, and fast digital connections, while the country’s geographical diversity offers access to mountain ranges and the Black Sea, enabling a combination of work and leisure. Supporting this, the transition to the euro simplifies transactions, and Schengen membership eliminates routine border checks, a critical element for professionals with frequent travel.
The visa targets non-EU and non-EEA citizens who work remotely for employers or clients outside Bulgaria, in three categories: employees of companies outside the EU, entrepreneurs or shareholders holding more than 25% in foreign companies, and freelancers with proven activity of at least one year. The process is completed in two stages and can take more than three months in total.
With the digital nomad visa, the euro, and full Schengen integration, Bulgaria aims to position itself as a practical and economically competitive hub for remote work in Europe, at a time when established destinations are showing signs of saturation.