January 2, 2026 | 12:28 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The new year is a perfect moment to start something new. For digital nomads, this means an opportunity to live in one of the oldest countries in Europe, Bulgaria.
Bulgaria joins the long list of countries launching digital nomad visas. With the registration opening on December 20, 2025, this new scheme creates a formal immigration route for remote workers employed by companies or businesses based outside of the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
This Balkan country has a lot to offer to digital nomads, from the sprawling beaches along the Black Sea coast to some of the oldest cities in Europe. Moreover, the cost of living here is much lower than other popular digital nomad locations.
Requirements for the Bulgarian Digital Nomad Visa
According to Business Today's report, as cited from Travel Leisure Asia, eligibility is separated into three categories. The first covers remote employees of companies registered outside of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. But they must meet the minimum salary requirements set by law.
The second category applies to foreign nationals who are part of a company's management or own more than 25 percent of a business registered outside of the region, as long as they do not provide services to individuals or entities in Bulgaria.
Meanwhile, the last category is for applicants who have provided remote services using technology for at least 1 year prior to applying, do not serve Bulgarian entities, and are not engaged in freelance work in Bulgaria.
To get a digital nomad visa, applicants must also provide proof of income that must be 50 times the minimum wage in Bulgaria, or about 27,550 euros or Rp539 million per year, according to Citizen Remote, as cited from Time Out. Applicants are also required to submit private health insurance documents, proof of accommodation, and a clean criminal record.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa in Bulgaria
Applicants must first apply for a long-term Visa D in their home country or legal residence. This process is estimated to take one to two months. After entering Bulgaria with a Visa D, the same documents must be submitted locally, with processing for the digital nomad scheme estimated to take two to four weeks. The final stage involves the application for an ID card, which can take between three and 30 calendar days.
This visa is valid for one year and can be extended for another year. Local authorities remind digital nomads applying for this residency permit to comply with the applicable regulations. Violations of the regulations will result in penalties, including the loss of the right to employ foreign workers. Employers and employees should understand the rules of their destination country before applying for this temporary residency permit.
Read: 10 Best Countries for Digital Nomads with Accessible Visas
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