Bulgaria’s new digital nomad visa – what’s changed?

Bulgaria may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think about remote work in Europe, despite hosting one of the largest annual digital nomad gatherings in the region. As a nation, it doesn’t market itself as loudly as Portugal or Croatia, and it hasn’t been a hotspot in the same way as Berlin or Barcelona. But that may be about to change.

In mid-2025, Bulgaria introduced a new digital nomad visa, offering a clear and structured legal route for remote workers from outside the EU to live and work in the country. It comes alongside a notable development—Bulgaria joined the Schengen Zone on 1 January 2025, meaning visa holders now have the added benefit of EU-wide travel.

For those seeking a longer-term, stable remote work base in Europe—with lower taxes, a gentler cost of living, and access to EU healthcare and infrastructure—Bulgaria might be worth a closer look.

What the digital nomad visa allows

The digital nomad visa allows non-EU citizens to stay in Bulgaria for up to 12 months, with the option to renew. It gives access to national residence permits, public healthcare registration, and the right to rent property and open bank accounts.

What makes it different from other European digital nomad visas is that it’s relatively open-ended in terms of structure. Remote workers don’t need to register a business in Bulgaria. Nor are they required to generate any income from within the country. In fact, the visa is specifically aimed at those who work for foreign clients or employers and can prove that their income is generated outside Bulgaria.

There are three broad categories of eligibility. Remote employees working for foreign companies qualify, as long as they can show a stable income and a formal contract that matches or exceeds their intended stay. Freelancers with at least a year’s track record of self-employment are also eligible, provided their client base is entirely abroad. And foreign business owners who are active in their companies—either as shareholders or representatives—may also apply.

Unlike earlier routes, such as setting up a trade representative office or applying through freelance work permits (which required language proficiency and specific qualifications), this new visa is streamlined for digital professionals.

Becoming tax-resident in Bulgaria

For those planning to stay beyond a few months, the tax implications are worth understanding upfront.

Bulgaria operates one of the most attractive personal income tax systems in the EU. The flat income tax rate is 10%, with no progressive scaling. For freelancers, there’s an automatic 25% expense deduction built in, effectively bringing the real tax rate down to around 7.5% on net income.

If you’re working for a foreign employer but living full-time in Bulgaria, you will usually become a Bulgarian tax resident. That kicks in after 183 days of presence in a calendar year or if Bulgaria is deemed the centre of your vital interests—your primary home base, in other words. Once resident, you’re taxed on your worldwide income.

Bulgaria also has over 70 double tax treaties in place, meaning you won’t be taxed twice on the same income if your home country also claims tax rights.

It’s worth mentioning that tax residency and visa residency are not always the same thing. You can hold a visa and not be a tax resident, if your stay is shorter. But for settled lifers—those looking to put down roots for a year or more—being tax-resident is likely unavoidable. The good news is, that comes with access to local public healthcare, banking, and other state services.

Social security: a bit of a trade-off

While the income tax is low, Bulgaria’s social security contributions are less of a bargain.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to contribute around 27.8% of your income to social and health insurance. The contributions are calculated on a base income (usually around €950–1,900 per month), with a cap. That means your monthly payments will top out around €500. It’s a predictable, manageable cost for most remote professionals, but higher than many expect.

Employees working remotely for a foreign company may find the rules less clear. Technically, if your employer has no Bulgarian presence, they may not be obliged to register you with local social security. In that case, you’ll need to register yourself as voluntarily contributing, or use a local payroll provider to handle contributions.

For some, this is a manageable headache. For others, especially those with children or families needing health cover, it’s an important part of settling in.

Why Bulgaria appeals to remote workers

It’s easy to think of digital nomads as constantly on the move. But there’s a growing segment of the remote work community looking to stay longer in one place, build a lifestyle, and become part of a local community.

Bulgaria caters well to that type of remote professional.

The cost of living is one of the lowest in the EU. Rent is affordable, especially outside the capital. Utilities, transport, groceries, and leisure activities won’t drain your bank account. That means more room to save—or to live a bit more comfortably.

Internet infrastructure is excellent, especially in Sofia and other larger towns. Co-working spaces are thriving in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna. Even in smaller towns like Bansko, which has built a reputation as a nomad and entrepreneur hub, you’ll find solid connectivity and community. The world schooling community of nomadic families is also drawn to Bulgaria, and developing solid infrastructure there.

Bulgaria’s natural beauty is another draw. The country offers four distinct seasons, ski resorts in winter, beach access in summer, and easy travel to nearby destinations like Greece, Turkey, and Romania.

English is widely spoken among younger Bulgarians and in most business settings. In rural areas, you may encounter a language barrier, but city life is very accessible for English speakers. A lot of signage is bilingual (especially helpful for those unfamiliar with the cyrillic alphabet… though your eye will adapt fast, to be able to read phonetically and recognise the names of towns, or your favourite drinks on a menu!)

Where to base yourself

Sofia remains the main draw for remote workers who want access to international flights, large coworking spaces, and a more cosmopolitan vibe. It’s where you’ll find most events, tech meetups, and global-style cafes.

Plovdiv offers a slower pace, with a rich Roman history, a compact and walkable centre, and a small but growing digital community.

Varna and Burgas offer coastal living on the Black Sea. Summer months see the population swell, and the work-life balance here skews more relaxed. Bansko, originally a ski town, has become an unlikely digital nomad hotspot. Several co-living and co-working spaces operate year-round. It appeals to those who like outdoor life and community, though some find the small-town vibe limiting over time.

Essentially, there’s great diversity across the country, and the road network is pretty good too, especially by Balkan standards. So you can find the bit of Bulgaria that resonates with you before too long, and enjoy the discovery process.

Is Bulgaria a good place to settle longer-term?

For those who want to build a long-term remote work lifestyle, rather than hop country to country, Bulgaria is a strong option.

The new visa offers legal stability. The tax regime is simple and predictable. Living costs are modest. And there’s a clear path to permanent residence after five years. Over time, that could even lead to Bulgarian citizenship and an EU passport, though that process typically takes at least eight years in total and requires deeper integration, including language tests and cultural knowledge.

Bulgaria is still developing in some areas. Bureaucracy can be slow, and some processes may feel outdated or paper-based. But for many, these are manageable frustrations given the advantages of affordability and legal clarity.

It’s not the best choice for those who want a bustling international city vibe—Berlin, Lisbon, or Barcelona might serve better there. But if you’re seeking a base where you can live well, work legally, and grow into a community, Bulgaria deserves serious consideration.

A word on process

To apply for the digital nomad visa, you’ll need to start the process from your home country at a Bulgarian embassy. This involves applying for a Type D visa, submitting documents to show your remote work status, income level, and health insurance.

Once approved and in Bulgaria, you’ll finalise your residence permit locally. Expect to renew annually, though authorities may streamline this in future.

If you’re already in Bulgaria under another visa, you may be able to switch, depending on your circumstances. But starting fresh with the digital nomad route is often the simplest and most transparent approach.

A good time to consider Bulgaria?

With Schengen access now in place, Bulgaria has become much more attractive to remote workers hoping to travel around Europe. You no longer need a separate visa or face additional border checks. This, combined with the new digital nomad visa and Bulgaria’s low cost of living, makes it one of the more appealing and underrated options on the continent. Though of course for nomads without EU passports and dancing the ‘Schengen Shuffle’, it is no longer a refuge to reset your clock and wait out your latest 180 - as the boundary moves further East every year, this gets ever more complicated, and you’ll have to look at Bosnia and Herzegovina or Montenegro now, unless you want to apply to settle down for longer with a visa.

If you’re working remotely and tired of tourist visas, high living costs, or unstable bureaucracy elsewhere, Bulgaria might just offer what you’re looking for—a slower pace, strong infrastructure, a clear legal route, and enough international presence to feel at home.

It may not be a perfect fit for everyone. But for the right kind of remote worker—especially those looking to stay put and build a life—it could be one of Europe’s smartest bets.