BULGARIA LAUNCHES VISA PROGRAM FOR DIGITAL NOMADS
Bulgaria is increasingly establishing itself as an attractive destination for digital nomads after officially introducing a remote work visa and opening applications.
On December 20, 2025, Bulgaria officially joined Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Japan, the UAE, Thailand and other countries around the world in revolutionizing travel and tourism, introducing a new visa scheme aimed at digital nomads. This initiative aims to attract foreign specialists working remotely.
The program is combined with key events for Bulgaria: the adoption of the euro and joining the Schengen area in 2025. The program aims to attract foreign specialists by offering one-year visas and low living costs. The visa entitles third-country nationals (outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland) who work online for foreign employers, companies or clients to reside legally in Bulgaria. Those wishing to apply for such a visa must also prove a minimum annual income equal to 50 times the minimum monthly wage in Bulgaria. Currently, this means a minimum of 31,000 euros per year.
The presidential and government institutions outline the visa program as part of Bulgaria’s national strategy for attracting talent, supporting innovation, creative industries and the development of local businesses by increasing economic activity and absorbing new ideas from international professionals.
At the same time, the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA) is a national partner and actively participates in the Interreg Europe project EDIN, which aims to improve regional policies so that European territories can attract and benefit from digital nomads – professionals who work remotely. The project brings together partners from different EU regions to exchange good practices, improve policy instruments and promote strategies that are favorable to digital nomads that support local economies, skills and sustainable tourism. By 2028, EDIN aims to increase the number of digital nomads in the partner regions by around 30% through workshops, pilot activities and cooperation.
“EDIN represents a unique opportunity for Bulgaria and other partner regions to develop integrated policies that will turn digital nomads into an active resource for the local society, economy and culture. Thanks to the visa program for digital nomads and active participation in EDIN, Bulgaria is positioning itself as a country that not only facilitates the legal presence of international talents, but also works for their sustainable inclusion in the local economic and social life,” shares the UBBSLA team leader.
Varna, as the “Sea Capital” of Bulgaria and a pilot region under the EDIN project, will host the next partners meeting and conference at the end of February this year. During the two-day event, partner organizations will have the opportunity to visit several co-working spaces in the city of Varna, mainly occupied by digital nomads, resorts and hotels in the region with a clear policy to attract digital nomads.
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