---
title: "Bulgaria Digital nomad permit 2026: income €27.5k+/yr needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/digital-nomad/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Bulgaria · Nomad / Remote work

# Bulgaria Digital nomad permit

**Income needed:** €28k+ a year ≈ $31k

Long-term residence permit for digital nomads (Art. 24(1) item 23, Art. 24s)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** €28k+ a year ≈ $31k (Income of at least EUR 27,533.07 a year (≈ $30,800) · Average annual gross income of at least 50 minimum monthly wages under Bulgarian law for the previous calendar year (Art. 24s). For applications in 2026 the 2025 minimum wage of BGN 1,077 gives 50 x BGN 1,077 = BGN 53,850, which is EUR 27,533.07 at EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583; for applications in 2027 the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620.20 gives EUR 31,010. Gross income is counted.)
- **First stay:** 1 yr (Permit valid one year, extendable once for one more year (two years in total).)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Third-country nationals whose employer or company is registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.)
- **Work:** No local work (Remote work for the foreign employer or company or foreign clients only; no work or services for persons in Bulgaria and no access to the Bulgarian labour market.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Family members can apply for long-term residence as family members of a foreigner with a permit (Art. 24(1) item 13).)

## Key facts

Digital nomad permit is a nomad / remote work route for Bulgaria. Applicants need income of €28k+ a year ≈ $31k. You can stay 1 yr, renewable. You can't take local work. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €28k+ a year ≈ $31k
- **Processing:** Up to 14 days
- **First stay:** 1 yr

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: income to show €28k+/yr ≈ $31k; decision: up to 14 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Shown, not spent: €28k+/yr ≈ $31k**

- EUR 27,533.07 a year (≈ $30,800) Average annual gross income of at least 50 minimum monthly wages under Bulgarian law for the previous calendar year (Art. 24s). For applications in 2026 the 2025 minimum wage of BGN 1,077 (≈ $620) gives 50 x BGN 1,077 (≈ $620) = BGN 53,850, (≈ $30,800) which is EUR 27,533.07 (≈ $30,800) at EUR 1 (≈ $1) = BGN 1.95583 (≈ $1); for applications in 2027 the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620.20 (≈ $690) gives EUR 31,010 (≈ $34,600). Gross income is counted.

**Renewal: Renewable, 2 years max**

Valid one year and extendable once for one more year, two years in total.

[Ministry of Labour and Social Policy](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/78/sdrmi/za-chuzhdentsite-v-republika-blgariya.pdf)

**Processing: Up to 14 days**

Applications for prolonged residence permits are examined within 14 days; complex cases can be extended by one more month.

[Ministry of Labour and Social Policy](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/78/sdrmi/za-chuzhdentsite-v-republika-blgariya.pdf)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Obtain the long-stay visa abroad, then apply for the permit in Bulgaria.

[Ministry of Labour and Social Policy](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/78/sdrmi/za-chuzhdentsite-v-republika-blgariya.pdf)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Time on this route is capped at 2 years in total
- Applications are made from outside Bulgaria, not after arriving
- No local work on this route
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- Applicants are employed under a contract with an employer registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland and provide remote services by information technology.
- With a fixed-term contract, the remaining term is at least as long as the permit.
- Alternatively, applicants are a representative, board member, owner, partner or over-25% shareholder of such a company and provide remote IT services through it.
- Alternatively, applicants have personally provided remote IT services for at least one year before applying.
- In the company and self-employed cases applicants do not work or provide services for persons in Bulgaria and do no freelance work in Bulgaria.

#### What you must show

- Average annual gross income is at least 50 monthly minimum wages for the previous calendar year.
- For applications in 2026 this is BGN 53,850 (≈ $30,800) (50 x BGN 1,077 (≈ $620)), EUR 27,533.07 (≈ $30,800).
- The general means-of-support rule of Art. 24(2) also applies, at least the minimum monthly wage for the stay.

#### Documents

- Proof of the income, an employment contract or other employer document, or company registry documents issued within 6 months, are submitted.
- A contract and reference from a recipient of the remote services are submitted for owners and self-employed applicants.
- Proof of housing, health insurance valid in Bulgaria and a criminal record certificate are submitted.

#### Steps

1. Applicants first obtain a long-stay Visa D.

#### After you arrive

- The permit is valid for one year and can be extended once for another year.

## What happens at day 183

How Bulgaria decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 2 years in total**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in each 12-month period** Residing in Bulgaria more than 183 days makes a person a resident for tax purposes.
- **Foreign-source income:** Total annual tax base of residents on worldwide income; Bulgarian-source income of non-residents.

[All tax rules for Bulgaria](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Proof of housing, health insurance valid in Bulgaria and a criminal record certificate are submitted
- **Accommodation** Proof of housing, health insurance valid in Bulgaria and a criminal record certificate are submitted
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Proof of housing, health insurance valid in Bulgaria and a criminal record certificate are submitted

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

One-year permit for foreigners who work remotely by information technology for an employer or company registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, or for clients abroad, and earn at least 50 monthly minimum wages a year. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

#### What you must show

- Income of at least EUR 27,533.07 a year (≈ $30,800) · Average annual gross income of at least 50 minimum monthly wages under Bulgarian law for the previous calendar year (Art. 24s). For applications in 2026 the 2025 minimum wage of BGN 1,077 (≈ $620) gives 50 x BGN 1,077 (≈ $620) = BGN 53,850, (≈ $30,800) which is EUR 27,533.07 (≈ $30,800) at EUR 1 (≈ $1) = BGN 1.95583 (≈ $1); for applications in 2027 the 2026 minimum wage of EUR 620.20 (≈ $690) gives EUR 31,010 (≈ $34,600). Gross income is counted. (sources 1, 4, 5, 6)

#### Requirements

- Applicants are employed under a contract with an employer registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland and provide remote services by information technology. (source 1)
- With a fixed-term contract, the remaining term is at least as long as the permit. (source 1)
- Alternatively, applicants are a representative, board member, owner, partner or over-25% shareholder of such a company and provide remote IT services through it. (source 1)
- Alternatively, applicants have personally provided remote IT services for at least one year before applying. (source 1)
- In the company and self-employed cases applicants do not work or provide services for persons in Bulgaria and do no freelance work in Bulgaria. (source 1)
- Average annual gross income is at least 50 monthly minimum wages for the previous calendar year. (source 1)
- For applications in 2026 this is BGN 53,850 (≈ $30,800) (50 x BGN 1,077 (≈ $620)), EUR 27,533.07 (≈ $30,800). (sources 4, 6)
- The general means-of-support rule of Art. 24(2) also applies, at least the minimum monthly wage for the stay. (source 1)
- Proof of the income, an employment contract or other employer document, or company registry documents issued within 6 months, are submitted. (source 3)
- A contract and reference from a recipient of the remote services are submitted for owners and self-employed applicants. (source 3)
- Proof of housing, health insurance valid in Bulgaria and a criminal record certificate are submitted. (source 1)
- Applicants first obtain a long-stay Visa D. (source 1)
- The permit is valid for one year and can be extended once for another year. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Permit valid one year, extendable once for one more year (two years in total).
- Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
- Long-term residence permit up to 12 months: Valid one year; can be extended once for another year. A residence right continues while an extension filed in time is decided.

#### Nationality

Third-country nationals whose employer or company is registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Remote work for the foreign employer or company or foreign clients only; no work or services for persons in Bulgaria and no access to the Bulgarian labour market.

#### Family

Family members can apply for long-term residence as family members of a foreigner with a permit (Art. 24(1) item 13).

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, consolidated text (amended to State Gazette 52/2025)](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/78/sdrmi/za-chuzhdentsite-v-republika-blgariya.pdf) · Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (consolidated text, printed 13 February 2026) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Law amending the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (State Gazette 52/2025)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=235575) · National Assembly of Bulgaria (State Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Council of Ministers Decree 286 of 12 December 2025 amending the Implementing Regulations of the Foreigners Act (State Gazette 109/2025)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=239936) · Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, State Gazette · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Council of Ministers Decree 359 of 23 October 2024 on the minimum wage from 1 January 2025](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=229729) · Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, State Gazette · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Decree setting the minimum monthly wage from 1 January 2026 (BGN 1,213; EUR 620.20)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?amp=&idMat=238961) · State Gazette of Bulgaria · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Bulgaria adopts euro as of 1 January 2026 (fixed rate EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583)](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/news/bulgaria-adopts-euro-1-january-2026) · European Commission, Access2Markets · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (Bulgarian text, as amended to 2021)](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/39/sdrmi/zakon-za-trudovata-migraciq-i-trudovata-mobilnost.pdf) · Ministry of Labour and Social Policy · checked 2026-10-11

## Digital nomad permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Digital nomad permit | Needs income of €28k+ a year ≈ $31k | 1 yr, renewable | No local work |
| [D8 nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/d8-remote-work-residence/) Portugal | Needs income of €3,680+ a month ≈ $4,110 | 2 yr, renewable | Remote only |
| [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/international-telework-visa/) Spain | Needs income of €2,442+ a month ≈ $2,730 | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/digital-nomad-remote-worker/) Italy | Needs income from €25k a year ≈ $28k | 1 yr, renewable | No local work |
| [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/digital-nomad-visa-i8/) Greece | Needs income of €3,500+ a month ≈ $3,910 | 1 yr, renewable | Remote only |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Digital nomad permit?

Income of at least EUR 27,533.07 a year (≈ $30,800). Average annual gross income of at least 50 minimum monthly wages under Bulgarian law for the previous calendar year (Art.

### How long can I stay on the Digital nomad permit?

Permit valid one year, extendable once for one more year (two years in total).

### How long does the Digital nomad permit take to process?

Applications for prolonged residence permits are examined within 14 days; complex cases can be extended by one more month.

### Can I work on the Digital nomad permit?

No. Remote work for the foreign employer or company or foreign clients only; no work or services for persons in Bulgaria and no access to the Bulgarian labour market.

### Can I bring my family on the Digital nomad permit?

Family members can apply for long-term residence as family members of a foreigner with a permit (Art.

### Who can apply for the Digital nomad permit?

Third-country nationals whose employer or company is registered outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### How are Digital nomad permit holders taxed in Bulgaria?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Digital nomad permit. The standard rules apply: Bulgarian tax residents pay a flat 10% on the total annual tax base; dividends are taxed at a final 5%.

## More in Bulgaria

[Freelancer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/freelance/) [Business with 10 jobs](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/commercial-activity/) [Certified investor PR](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/investor-pr-certified-business-class-ab/) [Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/startup-visa/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/blue-card/) [Trade representative permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/trade-representative/) [Intra-company transfer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/intra-corporate-transfer/) [Seasonal worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/bulgaria/seasonal-worker/)

## Digital nomad / remote work visas elsewhere

[🇨🇾 Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/digital-nomad-residence/) [🇦🇱 Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/digital-nomad/) [🇲🇪 Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/digital-nomad/) [🇲🇹 Nomad Residence Permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/malta/nomad-residence-permit/) [🇭🇷 Digital nomad stay](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/croatia/digital-nomad/) [🇸🇮 Digital nomad permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/slovenia/digital-nomad/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 7 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act, consolidated text (amended to State Gazette 52/2025)](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/78/sdrmi/za-chuzhdentsite-v-republika-blgariya.pdf) · Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (consolidated text, printed 13 February 2026) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Law amending the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (State Gazette 52/2025)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=235575) · National Assembly of Bulgaria (State Gazette) · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Council of Ministers Decree 286 of 12 December 2025 amending the Implementing Regulations of the Foreigners Act (State Gazette 109/2025)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=239936) · Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, State Gazette · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Council of Ministers Decree 359 of 23 October 2024 on the minimum wage from 1 January 2025](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?idMat=229729) · Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, State Gazette · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Decree setting the minimum monthly wage from 1 January 2026 (BGN 1,213; EUR 620.20)](https://dv.parliament.bg/DVWeb/showMaterialDV.jsp?amp=&idMat=238961) · State Gazette of Bulgaria · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Bulgaria adopts euro as of 1 January 2026 (fixed rate EUR 1 = BGN 1.95583)](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/news/bulgaria-adopts-euro-1-january-2026) · European Commission, Access2Markets · checked 2026-10-10
7. [Labour Migration and Labour Mobility Act (Bulgarian text, as amended to 2021)](https://www.mlsp.government.bg/uploads/39/sdrmi/zakon-za-trudovata-migraciq-i-trudovata-mobilnost.pdf) · Ministry of Labour and Social Policy · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-11. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.