Residency for Digital Nomads

Published On: 27/06/2025

In recent years, Bulgaria has become an increasingly attractive destination for foreign nationals who, while working remotely for foreign employers or operating as independent professionals, choose to live, invest, and spend their income within the country. Towns such as Bansko, Razlog, and Semkovo have emerged as popular hubs for international digital communities and cultural events.

In response to this growing trend, and with the aim of providing a clear legal pathway for digital nomads to reside in Bulgaria, amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (FRBA) were officially promulgated on June 27, 2025. These legislative changes introduce a new residency category specifically tailored to remote workers, commonly referred to as digital nomads.

Under the newly adopted Article 24c of the FRBA, a one-year residence permit may be issued to a foreign national who qualifies as a digital nomad and holds a valid long-term national visa. The residence permit is renewable once for an additional one-year period.

I. Definition of digital nomad

According to the statutory definition, a digital nomad is a foreign national who meets one of the following criteria:

  1. Employment-Based Nomad: Is employed under a labor contract with an employer established outside the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland, and provides remote services using information and communication technologies. If the employment is fixed-term, the remaining duration must be no less than the intended period of residence;
  2. Corporate Affiliation: Is a legal representative, member of a management body, owner, partner, or shareholder holding more than 25% of the capital in a company registered outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and provides remote services through that entity without engaging in business or offering services within Bulgaria;
  3. Independent Provider: Personally provides remote services using IT tools, having done so for at least one year prior to the application date, and does not conduct freelance activities or offer services to clients based in Bulgaria.

An essential eligibility requirement for the issuance of the permit is the demonstration of sufficient financial means. Specifically, the applicant must provide evidence of income amounting to no less than 50 times the minimum monthly wage established by Bulgarian legislation for the previous calendar year.

II. Documents necessary to prove eligibility for digital nomad residency

In order to obtain the right of long-term residence on the grounds of Article 24(1)(23) the foreign national shall attach to the application the documents under
b) a document certifying the existence of the employer, where the employer is a legal entity or another legal formation other than a natural person, certifying its name, identification number, registered seat, management address, and the persons representing it under its national law, issued by the competent registration authority in accordance with the applicable national legislation, and dated no earlier than six months prior to the date of submission of the documents;
c) a link to an official commercial register or website from which the circumstances under item b) are evident, where applicable;

2. Required Documents for Corporate Affiliation-Based digital nomad residency

a) a document certifying the existence of a company, its name, identification number, capital owners, registered seat and management address, scope of activity, and the persons representing it under its national law, issued by the competent registration authority in accordance with the applicable national legislation, dated no earlier than six months prior to the date of submission of the documents; where the document does not contain data on the capital owners, an additional document issued by the governing body of the company in accordance with its national legislation certifying this circumstance shall be submitted;

b) a link to an official commercial register or website from which the circumstances under item aa) are evident, where applicable;
c) at least one contract and a reference from the recipient of the remote services, certifying that the services are provided entirely remotely, the duration of the provision, and containing identifying data of the recipient of the services:
a) at least one contract and a reference from the recipient of the remote services, certifying that the services are provided entirely remotely, the duration of the provision, and containing identifying data of the recipient of the services:
The documents submitted by the foreign national, depending on the foreign state from which they originate, must comply with the requirements of the relevant provisions of bilateral international treaties or of the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, concluded in The Hague on 5 October 1961 and must be accompanied by translations into Bulgarian, carried out and certified in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

The introduction of this new legal framework marks a significant step in aligning Bulgaria’s migration policy with evolving global work trends. By offering a structured, accessible, and legally secure pathway for remote workers, Bulgaria positions itself as a competitive and welcoming destination for digital nomads seeking both quality of life and professional flexibility within the European context.

For more information or legal advice and assistance, please use the contact form or reach out to us at pberg@berglaw.eu

Polina Berg

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