Bulgaria

1 programme · BGN · Bulgarian

Last updated July 2026Sources:mfa.bg

Type D Long-Stay Visa (Remote Work)

Official nomad visa

What this visa gets you

Visa
Entry document
Temporary residency
1 year initially, up to 2 years total
Permanent residency
Not via this programme
Citizenship
Not via this programme

Nomads and expats consistently describe Bulgaria as offering a relaxed, affordable lifestyle that compares favourably to pricier EU countries. Several users who kept remote salaries report feeling like they 'live like a king', and one UK-based remote worker says the move left them significantly happier, citing lower costs and a stronger sense of community than back home.

Nomads and expats consistently describe Bulgaria as offering a relaxed, affordable lifestyle that compares favourably to pricier EU countries. Several users who kept remote salaries report feeling like they 'live like a king', and one UK-based remote worker says the move left them significantly happier, citing lower costs and a stronger sense of community than back home.
r/expats ↗r/IWantOut ↗
Bansko is frequently flagged as a nomad hub, with users noting an active expat/nomad community there and a public Facebook coworking group. Several commenters mention it as a realistic base, with one planning to move there after a ski-season stay.
r/digitalnomad ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Income requirement: BGN ~53,850/year (50 x previous-year monthly minimum wage of BGN 1,077 for 2026 applications); commonly mis-cited as ~BGN 60,600 / EUR 31,000 using the 2026 minimum wage of BGN 1,213
Application fee: Not stated
Family allowed: Yes

One experienced user strongly recommends spending a full month in Bulgaria before committing to residency, using up the visa-free 90-day allowance first. The process of converting a stay into residency is described as navigable but complex enough that locals and long-timers suggest arriving with 'beginner's mind' and flexibility.

One experienced user strongly recommends spending a full month in Bulgaria before committing to residency, using up the visa-free 90-day allowance first. The process of converting a stay into residency is described as navigable but complex enough that locals and long-timers suggest arriving with 'beginner's mind' and flexibility.
r/IWantOut ↗r/digitalnomad ↗
Nomads report that opening a Bulgarian company bank account as a non-resident can be a real sticking point — one agency told a user the government requires a residence permit for the company director before a business bank account is allowed. Some users report being steered toward 'readymade' shelf companies as a workaround, though concerns about hidden liabilities are raised.
r/digitalnomad ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Pick your passport to see your application path

Processing time, consular location, apostille requirements, and tax-treaty notes for Type D Long-Stay Visa (Remote Work) change based on your source country.

Tax

How is Type D Long-Stay Visa income taxed?

Bulgaria levies a flat 10% personal income tax. Individuals become Bulgarian tax residents if they spend 183+ days in the country in a 12-month period (or have their centre of vital interests in Bulgaria), at which point worldwide income is taxable at 10%, subject to double-taxation treaties. No special or reduced tax regime is attached specifically to the digital nomad permit. Permit income must be foreign-sourced.

Money, roughly (indicative)

Regime: 10% flat, about 24% effective tax on €60k/yr.

Flat 10% personal income tax, one of the lowest in the EU. Self-employed social + health contributions add roughly 14% on a capped base; may be nil if a totalisation agreement keeps you in your home system.

Living comfortably to well in Sofia runs about €1,300–€1,800/mo for one person, incl. rent.

Estimate your take-home in the tax calculator →

Worth a specialist's time. A short call before you commit usually pays for itself, especially for US citizens (FEIE/FATCA), existing UK ties, or unwinding SA tax residency.

Community members consistently highlight Bulgaria's flat 10% income tax as the primary draw for relocating nomads, particularly those from high-tax countries like Ireland or Belgium. However, users caution that total tax burden including healthcare and social security contributions is higher than the headline rate suggests, and one thread notes a sole-proprietor effective rate (including mandatory social contributions) lands noticeably above 10%. Finding a local lawyer or accountant who specialises in this is described as straightforward, with several knowledgeable firms available in Sofia.

Community members consistently highlight Bulgaria's flat 10% income tax as the primary draw for relocating nomads, particularly those from high-tax countries like Ireland or Belgium. However, users caution that total tax burden including healthcare and social security contributions is higher than the headline rate suggests, and one thread notes a sole-proprietor effective rate (including mandatory social contributions) lands noticeably above 10%. Finding a local lawyer or accountant who specialises in this is described as straightforward, with several knowledgeable firms available in Sofia.
r/digitalnomad ↗r/bulgaria ↗r/digitalnomad ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

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Expatlas provides information for orientation only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult an immigration lawyer for your specific case.