If you’re thinking of relocating in 2026, there’s now another European country where you could work remotely.
Bulgaria has introduced a digital nomad visa, and applications are open.
The country is well-placed to welcome the laptop-tapping crowd, with a cost of living significantly lower than other European countries, youthful cities offering growing remote working services, and epic weekend escapes - from fierce mountain ranges to buzzy beach resorts.
The country has also just switched its currency to the euro and became part of the Schengen Zone in 2025, making it a great base for travelling around Europe.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa.
Who is eligible to apply for Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa?
Applicants must be non-EU/EEA citizens who work remotely and earn their income from outside Bulgaria.
Within that, there are three eligibility criteria: remote employees of companies registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland; owners of companies or those holding more than 25 per cent of a business registered abroad; and freelancers or independent professionals who have been providing services to non-Bulgarian clients for at least one year before applying.
Applicants must also provide evidence of an annual income of at least 50 times the Bulgarian monthly minimum wage, which is currently €620, making the yearly minimum €31,000.
How to apply for Bulgaria’s digital nomad visa
The process of applying for the digital nomad visa is two-fold.
First, those interested must obtain a type D long-stay visa at a Bulgarian embassy or consulate in their home country, a process that can take between four and eight weeks.
This visa permits foreigners to enter Bulgaria and apply for residency.
Once in Bulgaria, they must apply for a residence permit under the Digital Nomad Visa programme within 14 days of arrival.
Documents required include proof of accommodation in Bulgaria (e.g. a rental contract, hotel booking, or property ownership), a clean criminal record certificate from your country of residence, and translations of foreign documents into Bulgarian, apostilled where necessary.
You also need to show that you meet the official minimum income threshold.
According to remote working advice site Citizen Remote, applicants must also provide proof of health insurance that covers them in Bulgaria for the duration of their stay and is valid across the entire Schengen/EU area.
In the final step, digital nomads can apply for an identification card. The whole process can take over three months.
The residence permit is initially granted for one year and can be renewed for another year as long as the eligibility conditions continue to be met.
