Moving to Bulgaria
24 ways to move to Bulgaria in our guide: 1 nomad / remote-work visa, 9 investor routes, 1 pay-to-stay route, 4 business / startup routes, 6 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas.
Remote workers: Digital nomad permit, €28k+ a year ≈ $31k. Smallest investment: Investor · BGN 250k regional, BGN 250k+ ≈ $143k. Checked against official sources on .
Bulgaria offers a mix of routes for people who want to live and work or do business there. The options range from employment and freelancing to study, research, and retirement, each with its own set of requirements.
Nomad / Remote work · 1
Digital nomad permit
Income needed: €28k+ a year ≈ $31k
Investing · 9
Investor
Investment needed: from BGN 250k ≈ $143k
Investor PR
Investment needed: from BGN 500k ≈ $286k
Retire or live on savings · 1
Direct PR
Pensioner residence
Income needed: €348+ a month ≈ $390
Business / Startup · 4
Work · 6
Student · 1
Student residence
First stay: 1 yr 6 mo
Spouse visas · 2
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse of a citizen
Income needed: €620+ a month ≈ $690
Spouse of a resident
Income needed: €620+ a month ≈ $690
Free movement and visa-free stays · 1
EU free movement · Lets you live here
Open to 31 passports: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Tax
Bulgarian tax residents pay a flat tax on their total annual tax base, which includes worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed only on Bulgarian-source income. Dividends are subject to a final tax, and corporate income is taxed at a flat rate.
Standard rules
Personal income tax: flat 10% on total annual tax base
10% tax
Details
- On: Total annual tax base of residents on worldwide income
Bulgarian tax residents pay a flat 10% on the total annual tax base; dividends are taxed at a final 5%.
Taxed on
Total annual tax base of residents on worldwide income; Bulgarian-source income of non-residents.
Who it applies to
- Resident: permanent address in Bulgaria, more than 183 days in a 12-month period, or centre of vital interests in Bulgaria.
Exclusions
- Dividends and liquidation shares are taxed separately at a final 5%.
- Sole traders on the business-income base are taxed at 15%.
Days in the country
- More than 183 days in each 12-month period · Residing in Bulgaria more than 183 days makes a person a resident for tax purposes.
Tax residence
Residence is decided by permanent address, centre of vital interests or presence over 183 days in each 12-month period.
Visas
Not linked to a visa category.
Other taxes
Standard VAT rate is 20%; labour taxes and contributions make up 34.8% of labour costs.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Dividend final tax 5%
5% tax
Details
- On: Gross dividends and liquidation shares
Dividends and liquidation shares paid to residents and non-residents are subject to a final 5% tax.
Taxed on
Gross dividends and liquidation shares.
Who it applies to
- Applies to residents and non-resident individuals.
Tax residence
See residence rules in the PIT page.
Visas
Independent of visa.
Other taxes
Dividends paid to non-EU/EEA companies are also subject to 5% withholding tax.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Corporate income tax 10%
10% tax
Details
- On: Taxable profit of resident legal persons and of permanent establishments of non-residents
- Who: Resident commercial corporations
Resident commercial companies pay corporate income tax at 10% of taxable profit.
Taxed on
Taxable profit of resident legal persons and of permanent establishments of non-residents.
Who it applies to
- Resident commercial corporations.
Tax residence
Not applicable.
Visas
Independent of visa.
Other taxes
Dividend tax of 5% applies on distribution.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Bulgaria in pictures
Path to permanent residence · 5
- PR after 1 year · Freelance professional permit and long-term residence (Art. 24(1)(15), Art. 24a)
- PR after 1 year · Long-term residence permit for digital nomads (Art. 24(1) item 23, Art. 24s)
- PR after 1 year · Researcher long-term residence (Art. 24b)
- PR after 5 years · Long-term resident status and permanent residence after five years (Art. 24d, Art. 25(1)(5))
- PR after 1 year · Long-term residence permit for intra-corporate transfer
Arriving in Bulgaria: first steps
- Arrange health insurance that meets the minimum cover required for your permit.
- Provide proof of accommodation, such as a rental contract or property deed.
- Open a Bulgarian bank account if your route requires it, like for pension transfers.
- Obtain a police certificate from your home country for certain permits.
- Register your address with the local authorities after you arrive.
- Apply for your residence permit at the Ministry of Interior if your route requires it.
Questions people ask
What is the Bulgaria digital nomad visa income requirement in 2026?
Bulgaria has 1 nomad or remote-work visa. Digital nomad permit asks for an income of at least EUR 27,533.07 a year (≈ $30,800) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
How much do you need to invest for residency in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has 9 investor routes. Investor · BGN 600k property asks for an investment of at least BGN 600,000 (≈ $343,000). Investor PR · BGN 1M AIF asks for an investment of at least BGN 1,000,000 (≈ $571,000). Investor PR · BGN 1M CIS asks for an investment of at least BGN 1,000,000 (≈ $571,000).
Can I retire or live in Bulgaria on my savings or pension?
Bulgaria has 1 retirement or pay-to-stay route. Pensioner residence asks for an income of at least EUR 347.51 a month (≈ $390).
Can I move to Bulgaria by starting a business?
Bulgaria has 4 business or startup routes. Freelancer permit asks for an income of at least EUR 620.2 a month (≈ $690) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. Certified investor PR asks for an investment from BGN 1,000,000 (≈ $571,000). There is also Business with 10 jobs.
What work visas does Bulgaria offer foreigners?
Bulgaria has 6 work visas. Blue Card gives a first stay of 5 years that can be renewed. Trade representative permit asks for a salary of at least BGN 100,000 a year (≈ $57,100). Intra-company transfer gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Bulgaria?
Bulgaria has 1 student visa. Student residence gives a first stay of 1.5 years that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Bulgaria?
Yes. Bulgaria has 2 spouse visas. Spouse of a citizen asks for an income of at least EUR 620.2 a month (≈ $690). Spouse of a resident asks for an income of at least EUR 620.2 a month (≈ $690) and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
Compare with
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
Ask the AI about Bulgaria AI
An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.