This Cheap European Country Just Launched Its First Digital Nomad Visa

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It took them just a few years to meet up with their fellow European states, however in terms of Digital Nomad Visas, one may by no means be too late to the occasion:

After months of hypothesis, Bulgaria has lastly launched its personal DNV. We’re speaking an entire checklist of necessities, a clear software course of, and no gray areas wherever in between.

The inexpensive Eastern Balkan nation has had a flirtatious fling with expats for some time now, although it by no means made it official with an easy-to-apply, simple visa up till this level.

Unless they’d wholesome financial institution reserves, may put money into property, or apply for Citizenship by Investment by means of a type of shady, not-exactly-squeaky-clean applications the EU itself frowns upon, their solely choice was to limit their keep in Bulgaria to 90 days.

Now, there’s a far extra accessible approach in:

Who’s Eligible For The Bulgarian DNV In 2026?

If you are somebody who works remotely for employers or companies not primarily based within the EU, the related European Economic Area (which incorporates Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland, you have already met criterion one.

Alternatively, for those who’re both a member of a administration physique, otherwise you personal greater than 25% of an organization primarily based exterior of those financial zones, you are additionally off the chopping block—so long as providers aren’t offered to people or entities registered in Bulgaria.

Lastly, for those who can show you could have offered distant providers utilizing expertise for a minimal interval of a 12 months earlier than making use of, and you don’t work for, nor interact in freelancing actions for Bulgarian entities, you are additionally in.

What Is The Financial Requirement?

That’s the million-dollar query. We know that, oftentimes, DNV monetary thresholds could be unrealistic, from $100,000 a 12 months for the Cayman Islands, to a less-stunning, but nonetheless excessive $54,000 for those who’re making use of in Estonia.

Bulgaria cannot afford to throw its weight round: it’s thought-about the least prosperous nation within the European Union, the place the minimal wage is an estimated €620, and dwelling prices are subsequently cheaper.

As per estimates offered by Numbeo, a single particular person’s month-to-month bills in Sofia, the capital metropolis of Bulgaria, are a mean $772.60 with out hire.

And even in case you are simply popping in for per week or two, hotels are super affordable as well.

Finding your self a comfortable little residence in Sofia’s charming Historic Center that also retains spending to a minimal is not a tough activity, both: hire is on common 58.7% decrease than in Paris.

All of this to say, we predict it is a cheap ask that candidates should present proof they’ve a mean annual earnings of €31,000. That’s 50 occasions the nationwide common, however then once more, they are not precisely eager on attracting low-income expats who may find yourself being a burden on Bulgaria’s not-so-robust welfare system.

Step By Step Guide On How To Apply For A Bulgarian DNV

Submit A Type D Visa Application At The Bulgarian Consulate

The journey begins on the nearest Bulgarian consulate in your nation of residence. Not a rustic you are dwelling in briefly, nor passing by means of. It’s on the consulate the place you may full the applying type, submit the supporting paperwork, pay the visa payment.

• Remote staff should submit their employment contracts | these offering distant providers should submit suggestion letters from custoners
• In choose circumstances, candidates could also be summoned for an interview with consular employees to substantiate the small print of their file

Travel To Bulgaria On Your Type D Visa

Should your file be greenlit by the consular employees, you possibly can anticipate to be issued a Type D visa after 35–45 enterprise days. It is legitimate for as much as six months, providing you with sufficient time to journey to Bulgaria and kickstart your precise software.

Apply For Your Actual Residence Permit Once In Bulgaria

Within 14 days of arriving in Bulgaria, submit your residence allow software as a digital nomad on the Migration Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Sofia. Make certain you convey all the identical paperwork you submitted for the Type D visa, in addition to the visa itself.

Collect Your Residence Permit

The residence allow can take between 3 to 30 calendar days to be delivered, but as soon as it is in your arms, it means you are free to reside in Bulgaria for one 12 months. At the tip of the interval, you could renew as soon as for an extra 12 months, offered the preliminary necessities for the issuing of the visa are nonetheless fulfilled.

You Get 2 Years. Not More.

One main pitfall?

Regrettably, the Bulgarian Government has not indicated a path to everlasting residency, nor citizenship underneath the Digital Nomad Visa program, except candidates transition to a different visa class earlier than the two-year interval is up.

This signifies that, except extra clarification is given, you may be required to pack your luggage and depart Bulgaria on the finish of the second 12 months.

Alternative routes embrace Citizenship by Investment, signing a ‘full’ work contract with a Bulgaria-based employer or firm, or after all, it’d simply occur that you just fall in love, and wish to tie the knot along with your Bulgarian related different.

We imply this actually. It’s really a Bulgarian custom to tie crimson and white strings (martenitsa) round their family members’ wrists on March 1. Mark your calendars.

Top 5 Digital Nomad Destinations In Bulgaria

Sofia

The most cosmopolitan Bulgarian metropolis, in addition to the nation’s administrative hub, Sofia is the proper base with its plethora of laptop-friendly espresso spots (try The Apartment), lush metropolis parks, and eclectic structure spearheaded by a hovering Neo-Byzantine cathedral.

Plovdiv

The oldest continuously-inhabited city in Europe—yep, it is older even than Athens!—Plovdiv has its personal big selection of quirky cafés, allotting Turkish-Bulgarian fusion tidbits and scrumptious espresso, picturesque cobbled streets, and a landmark Ancient Roman theater.

Veliko Tarnovo

A laid-back metropolis unfold throughout the verdant hills of an extended valley, and dominated by the historic Tsarevets Fortress, considered one of Bulgaria’s oldest castles, Veliko Tarnovo is your go-to spot for slow-living, respiratory within the tradition, and nature strolls.

Ruse

An elegant Bulgarian metropolis reverse the Danube from Romania, Ruse has a wealth of Baroque and Rococo monuments to its title, lengthy pedestrianized streets lined with boutiques and eateries, and a scenic riverfront.

Burgas

One of Bulgaria’s prime sunny spots, set alongside the azure waters of the Black Sea, that is black in all but name, Burgas presents golden sands, pleasantly-warm summers, and quick access to the UNESCO-protected, ancient walled town of Nessebar.