With its beautiful Black Sea seashores and historical Balkan Mountain villages, savvy vacationers know that Bulgaria is one of Europe’s most underrated travel destinations. Compared to its southern neighbors Greece and Turkey, the Balkan nation is much less frequented by vacationers—and can be a lot inexpensive, persistently rating amongst the most affordable countries to visit in Europe.
If the nightlife of Sunny Beach or the historical past of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city has you contemplating extending your go to, Bulgaria now presents a two-year visa for digital nomads. According to the Bulgarian News Agency, the program was first launched in December 2025 as a bid to enhance the native financial system by attracting high-spending expert employees. And since Bulgaria is an element of the EU, the visa additionally permits recipients to journey freely throughout the 28 different Schengen area countries.
According to immigration agency Fragomen, the long-stay visa lasts for one 12 months, with the possibility to lengthen one other 12 months. To qualify, distant employees should fall into one of three classes: work for an organization outdoors the EU, Switzerland, or the European Economic Area (EEA); personal not less than 25% of a global firm; or have offered providers for a non-Bulgarian firm for not less than a 12 months prior to making use of.
The program’s largest draw is its affordability. EuroNews reviews that candidates should present proof that their annual wage is not less than 50 occasions the nation’s month-to-month minimal wage of 620 euros (about $709), or €31,000 (about $35,460) a 12 months. By comparability, Spain’s digital nomad visa requires an annual wage of $39,036; Czechia requires $40,320; Portugal requires $42,132; and Malta’s threshold is $45,233.
It’s a comparatively low barrier to entry for Schengen area rights. However, candidates must be ready for an prolonged approval course of: Digital nomads should first acquire a long-stay Visa D whereas in their house nation, a course of that may take up to two months. With that visa, you may then enter Bulgaria to submit the mandatory qualifying digital nomad visa paperwork (similar to proof of revenue and a spot to dwell), which may take one other month. Only when authorized, are you able to apply for the official identification card, which can be one other month-long process.
Bulgaria is one of the newest European international locations to launch digital nomad visas, as distant work permits for extra American expats to move abroad or plan long-term travel. From Portugal and Spain to Thailand and Indonesia, there are loads of new visa choices to select from, with further applications in Asia rolling out this 12 months. Most not too long ago, Sri Lanka launched a renewable one-year digital nomad visa in February 2026, and Taiwan prolonged its personal program from six months to two years shortly after.