Bulgaria Launches Digital Nomad Residence Permit Applications

Bulgaria has officially opened applications for its new Digital Nomad Residence Permit, offering remote workers a legal pathway to live in the country while working for foreign employers. The program begins accepting applications on December 20, 2025.

The Bulgarian Digital Nomad Residence Permit allows remote employees, business owners, and independent professionals to reside in Bulgaria while working online for companies or clients based outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.

The permit is valid for one year and can be extended for an additional year if eligibility requirements are met.

To qualify, applicants must fall into one of three categories. Remote employees must work online for a non-EU-based company and meet the minimum salary threshold set by Bulgarian law.

Business owners and managers must own at least 25 per cent of a company registered outside the EU and cannot offer services to Bulgarian clients.

Independent remote workers must show at least one year of online work experience and are also barred from serving local clients.

The application process starts with obtaining a long-term Visa from the applicant’s home country or country of legal residence, which typically takes one to two months.

After entering Bulgaria, applicants submit their residence permit application, followed by applying for a Bulgarian ID card once approved.

The permit also allows family reunification, enabling spouses and children to live in Bulgaria during the permit holder’s stay.

The move marks Bulgaria’s first clear immigration option for digital nomads, aligning the country with a growing global trend toward flexible work visas.

As more countries adapt to remote work, Bulgaria’s new permit positions it as an attractive destination for global digital professionals.