Bulgaria’s Digital Nomad Visa: Affordable EU Access for Remote Workers

Bulgaria has long been a hidden gem for travelers who know where to look—its Black Sea coastline and Balkan Mountain villages offer beauty without the crowds or costs of neighboring Greece and Turkey. Now, the country is making a play for remote workers, offering a two-year digital nomad visa that ranks among the most affordable in Europe. Launched in December 2025, the program aims to attract skilled professionals who can help boost the local economy, and because Bulgaria is an EU member, holders get unrestricted travel across the 28-nation Schengen Area.

The visa itself runs for one year, with a one-year renewal option. To qualify, applicants must work for a company outside the EU, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area; own at least 25% of an international business; or have provided services to a non-Bulgarian company for at least a year before applying. The real selling point is the cost: EuroNews reports you need proof of an annual salary of just €31,000 (about $35,460)—that’s 50 times Bulgaria’s monthly minimum wage of €620. By contrast, Spain demands $39,036, Czechia $40,320, Portugal $42,132, and Malta $45,233.

But patience is required. The process starts with a long-stay Visa D application in your home country, which can take up to two months. Once approved, you enter Bulgaria and submit the digital nomad visa documents—proof of income and a place to live—which may take another month. Finally, you apply for an official ID card, adding roughly a month more. Bulgaria joins a growing list of countries, from Portugal to Thailand, rolling out remote-work visas. Sri Lanka launched a renewable one-year option in February 2026, and Taiwan recently extended its program to two years.