Varna and Albena hosted an International Exchange on Attracting Digital Nomads
On 24–25 February, the Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities (UBBSLA) welcomed an international delegation of experts from six European countries. The event was part of the final phase of the international project EDIN (European Digital Nomads).
The delegation included representatives of local and regional authorities from Spain, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, and Finland. They participated in a specialized training programme aimed at improving communication and intercultural adaptability among digital nomads and remote professionals. In addition to the training sessions, the guests visited established local initiatives focused on attracting and retaining remote-working specialists in Bulgaria.
The international delegation visited the Albena resort, which has been actively working to attract digital nomads since the pandemic. The Executive Director of Albena Tour, Krasimira Stoyanova, presented the resort’s opportunities and emphasized the requirements for a high-quality living environment, modern infrastructure, and conditions suitable for long-term stays. The delegation was introduced to the availability of high-speed internet, specialized coworking spaces, digital pavilions located on the beach and within the park areas of the resort, as well as flexible accommodation options tailored to the needs of digital nomads. Special off-season packages with preferential rates were also presented. During the meeting, the resort was introduced as a developing “four-season destination” focused on sustainability and innovation, as outlined in the already developed “Vision 2030” Strategy of Albena AD.
Another key stop of the delegation was CAMPUS 90 – one of the leading coworking centers in Varna. The space has established itself as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and remote employment, providing a modern working environment built according to international standards. CAMPUS 90 offers various working formats – from flexible desks and fixed workstations to private offices for teams and start-ups. A strong focus of CAMPUS 90’s activities is the development of an active international community. Through regular networking events, workshops, lectures, and meetings with representatives of the business and technology sectors, the center creates opportunities for integrating digital nomads into the local ecosystem. In this way, CAMPUS 90 is not merely a workspace but a comprehensive platform for professional development and social integration, supporting Varna’s positioning as an attractive destination for highly qualified remote professionals. The combination of a seaside environment, relatively affordable living costs, and a growing technology community makes the city competitive with other European locations.
The visit of the international guests coincided with an important milestone for the country – as of January 2026, Bulgaria officially began issuing specialized digital nomad visas, facilitating the stay of professionals from countries outside the EU and the Schengen area and creating new opportunities for sector development.
The project “European Digital Nomads (EDIN)” is funded under the INTERREG EUROPE Programme and aims to increase the presence of digital nomads in the partner territories – Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, and Finland – by 30% by 2028. The project highlights the importance of digital nomads as a driver of territorial development and economic growth. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of Bulgaria and its partners to creating a favorable environment for digital nomads while strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of good practices.